Coko
Rwanda
Features notes of roselle, sugar cane, and star fruit.
Original roaster or listing source US Brand Directory
Nashville, Tennessee · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive
Bongo Java Roasting Co
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Origin / region level
TagsBongo Java Roasting CoTennessee coffee roastersRwandaPeruColombiaEthiopiaGuatemalaHondurasIndonesiaIndependentOrigin / region levelRoasts in-house
Visit Bongo Java Roasting Co's site Bongo Java Roasting Co. is a pioneering Nashville coffee institution that has focused on 100% organic and fair-trade sourcing since its inception in 1993. The company operates a network of unique cafes and a wholesale program, maintaining a strong commitment to ethical trading models through its membership in Cooperative Coffees. They are dedicated to building community connections while providing high-quality, small-batch roasted coffee.
Ownership
Bongo Java is an independent, family-owned business founded by Bob Bernstein.
Founded
1993
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
As Nashville's oldest coffee house, the brand is widely recognized for being the city's first certified organic and fair-trade coffee roaster. It is also famously associated with the 1996 discovery of the 'Nun Bun,' a cinnamon roll that gained international attention for its resemblance to Mother Teresa.
Sourcing countries
Rwanda · Peru · Colombia · Ethiopia · Guatemala · Honduras · Indonesia
Farm-level sourcing
The brand sources its coffee primarily through Cooperative Coffees, a green coffee importing cooperative that focuses on small-scale farmer cooperatives. While they emphasize direct relationships and small-scale organic farms, their public product listings typically identify the coffee by country or region rather than specific farm or producer names.
Notable coffees
- — Natural Sidama
- — Cauca
- — Dark Peru
- — Marcala
- — Chajulense
- — Rwanda Coko
Documented coffee offerings
Coffees researched from Bongo Java Roasting Co
These are examples recorded during editorial research on Oct 16, 2026. They are not a live product feed. The coffee, lot, price, and availability may have changed. We have not necessarily brewed these coffees ourselves.
Mystic Brew
A dark roast blend featuring notes of dark chocolate, caramelized sugar, and vanilla.
Original roaster or listing sourceBongo Blend
A signature medium roast blend designed for a balanced daily cup.
Original roaster or listing sourceFondo Paez
Colombia
A medium roast single origin coffee with a smooth and approachable profile.
Original roaster or listing sourceEspresso Blend
A medium roast blend specifically crafted for espresso extraction.
Original roaster or listing sourceExternal customer, cafe, marketplace, and class ratings are not comparable measures of the quality of an individual coffee. We do not convert them into original tasting scores or brand-wide star ratings. Our independent reviews are published separately after a coffee has actually been brewed and evaluated.
Verify original product sources
Retailer information: Bongo Java Roasting Co
Documented physical retailers
Historical source note (not live inventory): Carries the brand's retail and bulk coffee bags at multiple Nashville locations.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): Carries the brand's retail coffee bags at the Downtown Nashville location.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's flagship café in Belmont sells fresh-roasted coffee beans.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A neighborhood café in East Nashville that sells the brand's coffee bags.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A café in Hillsboro Village that serves and sells the brand's coffee.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): Retail locations at the Nashville International Airport that sell the brand's coffee.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A café located inside the Omni Nashville Hotel that sells the brand's coffee.
Physical
Documented online sources
Historical source note (not live inventory): Sells the brand's full lineup of organic and fair trade coffee beans with subscription options.
Website
I was able to verify the brand's own online store and several physical retail locations in Nashville, including their own branded cafés and local grocery partners like Turnip Truck and Whole Foods, through their official store locator.
These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials — last checked Oct 28, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.
In the news
Recent news and media coverage about Bongo Java Roasting Co, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.
2026-10-11 · Instagram
Bongo Roasting Co. Wins Best Branding/Packaging at 2026 World Coffee Innovation Awards Bongo Roasting Co. celebrated its 30th anniversary by launching two new coffee releases, 'Barista Boy' and 'Bongo Baby,' which feature packaging that won the Best Branding/Packaging award at the 2026 World Coffee Innovation Awards. The company is donating $1 from every box sold to Southern Word, a non-profit organization that supports youth literacy and voice development.
Sources used in this deep dive
- https://www.bongojava.com/pages/bongo-locations-hours
- https://www.bongojava.com/pages/locations
- https://www.bongojava.com/pages/bongo-java-at-omni
- https://www.bongojava.com/
- https://www.bongojava.com/collections/coffee
- https://www.bongojava.com/collections/5lb-coffees
- https://www.bongojava.com/pages/history
- https://bongojava.com/wholesale
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/bongo-java
- https://shopmadeintn.com/blogs/artisan-makers-in-tennessee/bongo-java-roasting-company
- https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/SJR0512.pdf
- https://www.nashvillescene.com/food_drink/fenwicks-300-bongo-javas-new-diner-in-
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-06. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. While the brand emphasizes direct relationships with small-scale farmers, I could not verify specific farm-level names for all current single-origin offerings beyond the regional identifiers provided on their website.