7-Eleven® Introduces First Direct-Sourced Coffee, Now Brews More than Half its Coffee Using Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Beans

IRVING, Texas, Nov. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 7-Eleven, Inc. has reached another coffee milestone. With the introduction of El Salvador Bourbon Single Origin coffee, the retailer that first introduced Americans to coffee in to-go cups, now brews more than half its coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ beans. The latest premium brew in its Seven Reserve^® line of specially curated coffees is the first to be sourced directly from independent family farmers and the seventh to carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal.

Available at participating 7-Eleven^® stores, the new El Salvador Bourbon coffee has a subtle orange blossom aroma and a well-balanced flavor with a sweet citrus zest and rich caramel finish. A medium roast highlights the distinctive tasting notes.

Bourbon refers to a coffee varietal grown in El Salvador that produces high-quality Arabica beans with a smooth and distinctive taste. After disease devastated the country's coffee production, many local farmers planted Bourbon coffee cherry trees to replace the lost crops and have helped the country regain much of its coffee yields.

The 7-Eleven coffee team hand-selected these flavorful coffee beans from Tacubaya Estate Coffee Farms, an eight-generation family farm located in the highlands of El Salvador.

"This single-origin coffee is a true 'farm-to-cup' experience that coffee-lovers can only get at 7-Eleven stores," said Michelle Cram, 7-Eleven senior platform manager for hot beverages. "El Salvador Bourbon also celebrates a unique time in 7-Eleven history, as we have completed a direct trade by meeting with the coffee farmers. We worked closely with our roasting partners to identify the ideal roast level for this specific bean to ensure we were offering our coffee customers the absolute best cup possible."

7-Eleven continues to grow its portfolio of sustainable coffees, which now account for well over half of its green coffee purchases. Since 2016, 7-Eleven has introduced Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees from Nicaragua, Mexico, Peru, Sumatra, Colombia, as well as an African blend from Ethiopia and Rwanda, all responsibly grown. Single-origin 100 percent Colombian Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee is now a permanent offering and top-seller on the hot beverage bar.

The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that seeks to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods. Carrying the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal with the little green frog means the 100 percent Arabica beans are sourced from coffee-growers whose farms must meet strict standards designed to protect the environment, conserve wildlife and promote the well-being of local communities.

"We know our customers care about coffee crops that are responsibly grown and sourced from small farms," Cram said. "7-Eleven coffee-drinkers recognize great quality and taste, and the premium Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees have become some of our most sought-after hot beverages."

7-Eleven continues to seek responsibly sourced coffees, products and packaging with less environmental impact. Future Seven Reserve coffees will include both exotic blends and single-origin brews from top growing areas around the world.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7‑Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7‑Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 69,000 stores in 17 countries, including 11,800 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee^®, Big Bite^® and Big Gulp^®, 7‑Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7‑Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select^™ brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites, at an outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards^® loyalty program, place an order in the 7NOW^® delivery app in 28 participating markets, or rely on 7-Eleven for bill payments, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards customer loyalty platform on the 7-Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization working to build a future in which nature is protected and biodiversity flourishes, where farmers, workers, and communities prosper, and where sustainable land use and responsible business practices are the norm. We envision a world where people and nature thrive in harmony. In January 2018, the Rainforest Alliance merged with UTZ, a global program and label for sustainable farming. Our head offices are in Amsterdam and New York, with regional offices around the world.

SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.