Quartermaine Coffee Roasters

Quartermaine Coffee Roasters was established in 1991, positioning itself as a fixture in the Washington, D.C. specialty coffee scene. The company was founded by individuals associated with the early development of Starbucks, bringing a legacy of industry experience to the Maryland market. Today, the company is owned and operated by equal partners Carolyn Weinberg, who serves as CEO, and Roger Scheumann, who serves as President.

The company operates its primary roasting plant and support center in Rockville, Maryland. This facility serves as the hub for their production, where they process green coffee beans sourced from small farms and larger estates globally. By maintaining their own roasting operations, they emphasize a model of local production, ensuring that coffee is roasted and distributed to their retail locations and wholesale partners without the use of artificial vacuum packaging to preserve freshness.

Quartermaine’s sourcing philosophy centers on the selection of high-grade Arabica coffees. The company’s leadership, including Weinberg and their coffee specialist, Steve Brown, conduct regular buying and tasting trips to origin countries to personally select their inventory. This hands-on approach is intended to ensure that the green coffee meets their specific quality standards before it is imported through the Port of Baltimore for processing.

In terms of roasting style, the company distinguishes between two primary profiles. Their 'Signature' roast is a deep, chestnut-brown roast designed to highlight body and acidity, reflecting a traditional dark-roast philosophy. Conversely, they offer an 'Aromatica' roast, which is lighter in profile and intended to showcase the distinct characteristics of specific origins, such as Guatemala, Kenya, and Papua New Guinea. They also produce an 'Aromatica Blend' that combines these two roasting styles.

Beyond their roasting operations, Quartermaine maintains a retail presence in the Bethesda area. Their business model is diversified, encompassing direct-to-consumer sales through their website and mail-order service, as well as a significant wholesale division that supplies supermarkets, warehouse clubs, and food service distributors throughout the East Coast. This multi-channel approach has allowed the brand to maintain a consistent presence in the regional market for over three decades.

The company emphasizes the importance of consumer education regarding coffee preparation, frequently advising customers on the benefits of grinding whole beans immediately before brewing to maintain flavor integrity. By focusing on the 'three pillars' of flavor, body, and acidity, Quartermaine continues to operate as a traditional roaster-driven business, prioritizing the physical act of craft roasting as the primary method for delivering their product to the end consumer.