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Long Island City, New York, New York · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
TagsSweetleaf Coffee RoastersNew York coffee roastersColombiaIndependentRoasts in-house
Visit Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters's site

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters is a New York City-based specialty coffee company that balances artistic passion with scientific rigor. Founded in 2008 by Queens native Rich Nieto, the company was a pioneer in bringing specialty coffee culture to the borough of Queens. The roaster operates multiple cafe locations and focuses on precise roasting profiles to highlight the unique characteristics of their beans, utilizing tools like refractometers and sophisticated software to maintain quality control. They are recognized for their commitment to excellence, offering both curated single-origin selections and signature blends in a distinct, bar-like atmosphere that emphasizes the coffee experience.

Ownership
Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters is an independent, family-founded business established by Rich Nieto in 2008.
Founded
2008
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
The brand is known for its vintage-inspired aesthetic, precise scientific approach to roasting, and its signature 'Rocket Fuel' cold brew.
Sourcing countries
Colombia
Farm-level sourcing
The brand emphasizes ethical sourcing and states that they scour the globe for high-quality beans, noting that farmers are paid more for higher-scoring coffees. While they highlight specific producers for limited releases, such as Jairo Arcila in Colombia, they do not consistently publish farm-level details for their entire range of blends and single origins.
Notable coffees
  • — Colombia Jairo Arcila Gesha
  • — Slap Shot Blend
  • — Easy Rider Blend
Documented coffee offerings

Coffees researched from Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

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: Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

Documented physical retailers
Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters (Greenpoint)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location at 159 Freeman St, Brooklyn, selling coffee beans.
Physical
Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters (Center Blvd)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location at 4615 Center Blvd, Long Island City, selling coffee beans.
Physical
Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters (Jackson Ave)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location at 10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, selling coffee beans.
Physical
Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters (Queens Plaza)
Historical source note (not live inventory): Physical cafe location at 2810 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, selling coffee beans.
Physical
Documented online sources
Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters's online shop
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official website offers direct-to-consumer sales of coffee beans and subscription services.
Website

I was able to verify the brand's four physical cafe locations in New York and their official online store; no third-party retail partners were identified.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials. Last checked Oct 24, 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 Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-05. 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 its commitment to quality and community, no specific, verifiable philanthropic programs or charitable partnerships were found on their official website or in public records.

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