Eastern Oyster • Crassostrea virginica 

A keystone species of the Chesapeake Bay.

Oyster reefs provide valuable habitat, food, and protection for marine plants and animals. A single healthy adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day. Filtering excess nutrients and pollutants, oysters improve water quality and clarity, helping to stabilize the Bay's delicate balance.

2004

Oyster Reef was the first blend developed by Chesapeake Coffee Roasters (then known as Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company or CBRC). The name came about over crabs and beers, as most good Maryland ideas do. CBRC founders Rick & Tom Erber met with Drew Koslow, the South River Riverkeeper, and John Flood, a pioneer of oyster recovery and bay grass restoration. The discussion centered on connecting CBRC with the communities surrounding the Bay through environmental givebacks. Oyster Reef and Harness Creek were chosen as our first two blend names to emphasize the need for more oyster restoration and to highlight the bay grass restoration efforts that John was starting in Harness Creek. 3% of coffee sales would be donated back to organizations like South River Riverkeepers, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Chesapeake Bay Trust, and it officially marked the start of our campaign to contribute back to the Chesapeake Bay. Over the following months, CBRC brought coffee to wade-ins, CBF meetings, and various Anne Arundel County events to spread the word. Those early giveback donations were not very large, but it was a start. 

2005-2006

After gaining some traction through events and explaining that "Oyster Reef" was not coffee made with oysters or oyster shells, we came up with the concept of the H2O Initiative in 2005. Since drip coffee is 98% water, and the Chesapeake Bay was our main giveback focus, water became an easy way to convey our giveback message. We also finally got our first roaster, a Sirocco SR90. In 2006, the decision to focus on sustainable packaging was made, and the first Oyster Reef can was developed.

2010

We decided to enter the retail market, ordered new cans, labels, and custom lids, and launched our signature lineup: Oyster Reef, Eco-Reef (the organic version of Oyster Reef), Capital City, Eco-Reef Decaf, River's Edge, and Honduras. The new cans were officially released at an Annapolis Green Drinks event hosted at the roasting facility. A buyer from Whole Foods Market was at the event and approached about wanting the cans in the local Annapolis store as soon as possible. Whole Foods Market became our first retail grocery location. 

2015

We began working with the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP), participating in events and donating through the H20 Initiative. In September 2015, we formed an official relationship with ORP and began a direct giveback to ORP through the sales of Eco-Reef, Eco-Reef Decaf, and Oyster Reef retail cans. This relationship allowed us to support ORP's efforts in oyster restoration directly and became the backbone of our new sustainability reporting goals. In January of 2016, the ORP logo made its first appearance on Oyster Reef cans.

2020

Oyster Reef adopted the image of an oyster shell, moving away from the original oyster boat design. 

2021

Following our sustainability goal of sourcing fair-trade and organic coffees whenever possible, we relaunched Oyster Reef as a certified organic and fair-trade coffee blend. Oyster Reef officially replaced Eco-Reef as our signature organic, medium-roast blend.

Present

Through our relationship with Oyster Recovery Partnership, we donate $0.10 per Oyster Reef item to their efforts in restoring oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. Doesn't sound like much? It's enough to plant 10 oysters in the Chesapeake Bay; how about that? Items include retail cans, 2.2lb bags, and wholesale-specific packaging. The more you buy, the more we donate!

OPR's mission is to lead the conservation of the native oyster in the Chesapeake Bay and beyond through oyster restoration, shell recycling, conservation, and sustainable fishery practices. Since their founding in 1994, they have planted more than 11.5 billion oysters on 3,000 acres of reef and recycled more than 300,000 bushels of shells. Learn More: Oyster Recovery Partnership