An importer of fine green coffees for over 100 years
Founded in 1917 by Richard and Ralph Balzac, Balzac Brothers represents four generations of family tradition in importing fine green coffee. What began as one of the largest importers of Colombian coffee has grown into a small, independent, specialty-focused importer working hand in hand with producers and roasters. Our dedication to each customer, and to the people who grow our coffee, remains unchanged.
1917
Richard and Ralph Balzac found Balzac Bros, largest importers of Colombian coffee
1930
Balzac Brothers opened office at 96 Wall Street in Manhattan, NY
1932
Inauguration meeting of the Associated Coffee Industries of America, attended by Ralph Balzac
1945
Richard and John Balzac start in the second generation of the business
1950s
When Colombia’s coffee federation restricted the private marks Balzac Brothers had built for coffees from 32 Colombian growing regions, the company diversified its sourcing across Latin America to stay independent
1957
75th Anniversary of the NY Coffee & Sugar Exchange, attended by Jane and Richard Balzac
1968
Ralph Balzac becomes honorary life member of Green Coffee Association (Richard Balzac was on the Board of Directors)
1970
First actual full container of Brazilian coffee brought to the US by Balzac Brothers
1970s
Balzac Brothers supplies 35 to 55% of the Brazilian coffee needs of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) and receives its largest single vessel shipment: 40,000 bags
1974
Balzac Brothers moves office to Westchester, Bronxville
1986
Ann Balzac Keane & Raymond Keane (Richard Balzac’s son-in-law) join the business, 3rd generation
1996
Balzac Brothers moves office to 11 Fulton Street in Charleston, SC
2001
Balzac Brothers imports first full container of Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee
2003
Balzac Brothers wins Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award
2011
Raymond Keane on Board of Directors of NCA
2011
Raymond Keane becomes new President; fourth generation starts working at Balzac Brothers
2013
Balzac Brothers hosts the annual Rainforest Alliance cupping in Charleston, SC
2013
Balzac Brothers’ lab becomes CQI certified
2014
Balzac hosts 2014 Rainforest Alliance Central American annual cupping in Charleston, SC
2016
Our Charleston lab hosts CQI Q Grader training and exams, a tradition that continues today
2017
Balzac Brothers celebrates 100 years in the green coffee business
2019
Balzac Brothers and Cropster take the Staying Ahead of the Curve roasting workshop tour to nine cities across the southern U.S.
2019
Balzac Brothers hosts the Grounds for Health annual board retreat in Charleston, SC
2020
Balzac Brothers leads cupping workshops at the Coffee Quality Summit in Yepocapa, Guatemala
2020
RoastID, a three-week online roasting challenge with Cropster, brings roasters together during the pandemic
2023
Traci Armstrong of our lab team becomes a CQI Q Instructor, and the lab hosts its first CQI Understanding Tastes and Flavors class
2023
Balzac Brothers exhibits at Specialty Coffee Expo in Portland, returning to Chicago in 2024 and Houston in 2025
2025
Our Charleston lab begins hosting SCA CVA for Cuppers courses on the new Coffee Value Assessment system
2025
Partnership with Costa Oro brings our relationship-based green coffees to roasters in the Pacific Northwest
2025
Our first Regenerative Organic Certified coffee arrives, from a smallholder cooperative in Nicaragua
2026
Sam Morgan, our Director of Purchasing, serves as Chair of the Grounds for Health Board of Directors, supporting cervical cancer prevention in coffee-growing communities
2026
Angela of our lab team becomes an Authorized SCA Trainer, and our Charleston lab adds SCA Sensory Skills courses alongside the Q Grader and CVA programs
2026
By October, our Fair Trade Certified purchases (171,624 lbs) have generated $34,324.80 for producer Community Development Funds
Today
Balzac Brothers focuses on specialty coffee, built on long-term, relationship-based partnerships with producers and cooperatives around the world