Black & White Coffee Roasters

Black & White Coffee Roasters was established in 2017 in the Raleigh-Wake Forest area of North Carolina. The company was founded by Kyle Ramage and Lem Butler, both of whom are former U.S. Barista Champions. Their partnership was built on a shared desire to translate the high-level, innovative coffee experiences found in professional barista competitions into products that could be enjoyed by the general public. By leveraging their competitive backgrounds, the founders sought to demystify specialty coffee and challenge conventional expectations regarding flavor profiles and processing techniques.

The company operates out of a significant roasting facility in Raleigh, North Carolina, which utilizes Loring roasting technology. This infrastructure supports a high volume of production, with the roastery processing thousands of pounds of coffee weekly to meet national demand. While the company has grown substantially since its inception, it maintains a core philosophy centered on three values: service, community, and excellence. These principles guide their approach to both customer interactions and their relationships with industry partners.

A defining characteristic of Black & White is its focus on experimental and innovative coffee processing. The roaster frequently features single-origin coffees that have undergone specialized fermentation techniques, such as anaerobic natural or washed processes. These coffees are often sourced from specific producers and are marketed with detailed information about the farm, the variety, and the processing method. This transparency is intended to educate the consumer and highlight the impact of post-harvest processing on the final cup profile.

The company’s "Black Label" subscription service serves as a primary vehicle for their most exclusive offerings. These coffees are specifically curated to reflect the quality and complexity of beans used in professional brewing and barista competitions. By offering these limited-run, high-scoring coffees in smaller quantities, the roastery provides enthusiasts with access to rare lots that might otherwise be reserved exclusively for the competition circuit.

In addition to their experimental single origins, Black & White maintains a focus on approachability. Their product line includes a variety of blends and single origins designed to be versatile across different brewing methods. The company emphasizes that their coffee should be enjoyable regardless of the equipment used, aiming to bridge the gap between the technical rigor of specialty coffee and the everyday needs of the home brewer.

In 2025, the company joined the FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective as its 11th brand, marking a new chapter in its operational history. Following this transition, Lem Butler departed the company in early 2026, with Kyle Ramage continuing to lead operations. Despite these organizational changes, the roastery has maintained its reputation for consistent, high-quality roasting and its ongoing commitment to sourcing interesting, producer-focused coffees from around the world.