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New York, New York · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Coffee Project New York

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Coffee Project New York; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Farm level
TagsCoffee Project New YorkNew York coffee roastersThailandIndependentFarm levelRoasts in-house
Visit Coffee Project New York's site

Coffee Project New York is a comprehensive specialty coffee enterprise that integrates retail cafes, an in-house roasting operation, and an SCA-certified Premium Training Campus. Founded in 2015 by Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh in the East Village, the company has evolved from a single passion project into a multi-faceted brand recognized for its holistic approach to the coffee supply chain. Beyond its retail presence, the company serves as a significant hub for professional coffee education and wholesale distribution. The brand maintains a strong market position by balancing technical rigor with a mission to improve the quality of life for everyone involved in the coffee production process, from farmers to consumers.

Ownership
Coffee Project New York is an independent, family-owned business founded by Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh.
Founded
2015
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
The brand is widely recognized for its SCA-certified education programs, innovative signature drinks like the Deconstructed Latte, and its commitment to sourcing rare, small-lot coffees from emerging farms.
Sourcing countries
Thailand
Farm-level sourcing
The brand focuses on building direct relationships with small, often under-the-radar family farms and cooperatives. They prioritize limited lots and rare cultivars to highlight specific producers, though they do not consistently publish a comprehensive list of every farm for every seasonal release.
Notable coffees
  • — Colombia Jardines Maragesha Natural
Documented coffee offerings

Coffees researched from Coffee Project New York

These are examples recorded during editorial research. They are not a live product feed. The coffee, lot, price, and availability may have changed. We have not necessarily brewed these coffees ourselves.

External 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: Coffee Project New York

Documented physical retailers
Coffee Project New York (Chelsea)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Manhattan selling bags of specialty coffee.
Physical
Coffee Project New York (East Village)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Manhattan selling bags of specialty coffee.
Physical
Coffee Project New York (Financial District)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Manhattan selling bags of specialty coffee.
Physical
Coffee Project New York (Hell's Kitchen)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Manhattan selling bags of specialty coffee.
Physical
Coffee Project New York (Tribeca)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Manhattan selling bags of specialty coffee.
Physical
Coffee Project New York (Upper East Side)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Manhattan selling bags of specialty coffee.
Physical
Coffee Project New York (Fort Greene)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location in Brooklyn selling bags of specialty coffee.
Physical
Documented online sources
Coffee Project New York's online shop
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official online store offering coffee beans, instant coffee, and subscriptions.
Website

I verified the brand's physical cafe locations through their official store locator and confirmed their online retail presence via their dedicated Square-hosted shop; I could not find evidence of the brand selling through third-party grocery chains or external online marketplaces.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials. Last checked Oct 23, 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 Coffee Project New York, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2026-09-28 · Tea & Coffee Trade Journal
Coffee Project New York opens on the Upper East Side

Coffee Project New York has expanded its retail footprint with a new 700-square-foot location on the Upper East Side at 1219 1st Avenue. The new cafe features a dedicated pour-over bar and is managed by James D. Wang, a former student of the brand's internal training academy.

2026-09-11 · QSR Magazine
Coffee Project New York Opens in NYC's Upper East Side Neighborhood

The specialty coffee roaster and retailer announced the opening of its latest outpost in Manhattan. The brand, which operates the state's first Specialty Coffee Association-certified training campus, continues to grow its presence while maintaining a focus on sustainable sourcing and community-driven coffee education.

Sources used in this deep dive
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 explicitly states a mission to improve the quality of life for those in the supply chain, no specific, verifiable philanthropic programs or charitable donation percentages were found in public documentation.

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