Moons Coffee & Tea

Moons Coffee & Tea is a retail and roasting business located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, established as a mother-daughter enterprise. The company is operated by Joy and Jori, who draw upon a multi-generational family history of coffee consumption to inform their business model. Since its inception, the shop has positioned itself as a community-focused destination for both coffee enthusiasts and those seeking a wide variety of loose-leaf tea options.

The company operates a physical storefront on Juan Tabo Blvd in Albuquerque, where it functions as both a roastery and a retail outlet. Their business model emphasizes freshness, which is reflected in their operational constraints; the company explicitly states that they do not accept returns on coffee or tea products due to their commitment to shipping items as close to the roast date as possible.

Roasting operations at Moons Coffee & Tea follow a structured schedule. The company maintains a core list of five specific bean varieties—including Ethiopia Fair Trade Organic, Java Estate Organic, Peru Fair Trade Organic, Panama Estate, and Timor Fair Trade Organic—which are roasted on a set schedule every Thursday. Other coffee varieties in their inventory are roasted on an as-needed basis, sometimes daily, to ensure product availability and freshness for their customers.

Beyond their core roasting program, the company maintains a significant inventory of loose-leaf teas, boasting a selection of over 100 different types and blends. This dual focus on coffee and tea serves as the primary identity of the brand, catering to a broad spectrum of beverage preferences. They also retail various brewing accessories designed to assist customers in preparing their products at home.

In terms of sourcing and transparency, the company highlights specific origins such as Sumatra and Sulawesi, alongside their Fair Trade Organic offerings. They provide educational resources for customers to learn about their coffee selections, encouraging a deeper understanding of the flavor profiles associated with different regions and processing methods. Their retail strategy includes both in-person sales and nationwide shipping for online orders.

As a small-scale, independent roaster, Moons Coffee & Tea emphasizes a personalized approach to the coffee experience. By maintaining a consistent roasting schedule and offering a wide variety of products, they serve as a local hub for the Albuquerque coffee community while maintaining a digital presence to reach a broader audience. The company continues to operate with a focus on the foundational relationship between the roaster and the consumer, prioritizing the quality of the final cup.