Wrapping up 2025
Before we go full steam ahead into 2026, weâd like to reflect on some notable moments from the past yearâa challenging one in many ways, but not without its bright spots. We come out of 2025 reminded of the importance of the relationships that make PT's what it is, whether at origin, with our wholesale partners, among our production crew, at our cafes, or with those of you at home who have made our coffee an integral part of your day. Thank you!
We started the year off in proper midwestern fashion⌠With an unexpected blizzard in the first week of January that disrupted everything!Â
After brushing off the snow, we got back to doinâ what we love. Throughout 2025, we developed and released 73 different coffees, 27 of which were Direct Trade! Our El Socorro Tasting Collection and a new Bourbon Barrel-Aged Coffee collaboration with the Topeka Whiskey Society were some of our favorites.Â
Three of our coffees this year received outstanding ratings from Coffee Review, including:
We celebrated our 32nd birthday in February and were recognized by our local business community: GO Topeka graciously awarded us with the Small Business Manufacturing Award at the 2025 Small Business Awards. Additionally, we were able to platform organizations that weâve partnered with for years. We raised $500 for Grounds for Health in the spring and collected donations on behalf of Silverbackks at our Wheatfield Village cafe for Giving Tuesday.
2025 was full of familiar faces! We were able to host the book launch of longtime friend Peter Tremainâs The Destination is Now at our Crossroads cafe, and were also lucky enough to have friends from all over visit us at our roasting facility in Topeka. The teams from Norms Coffee Bar in Newton, KS, and Greyhouse Coffee in West Lafayette, IN, stopped in for tours of our roasting facility, learning sessions on processing methods, and cupping sessions. Greyhouse also helped develop Dog Days Summer Blend, deciding on the final makeup of the blend. Most recently, Brian from Anthem Coffee Imports and Enrique from Sabio Coffee in Nicaragua stopped by our roasting facility! Sabio Villa Sarchi Anaerobic Washed has been one of our recent favorites.
PTâs also hit the road this year! At SCA Houston we showcased our Pour Over Pouches, in collaboration with Pour Ta, and reconnected with industry folks. Later in the year, we traveled east to Indiana to visit Greyhouseâs three cafes. Mike and Lara led some cupping sessions, shared producer stories among Greyhouse staff and customers, and spread our love of coffee! Our friends at Hitherto were also kind enough to show us around their cafe in Greenfield while we were in the area.Â
And, of course, our green coffee team spent time at origin, visiting partners and making new connections in Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala. We also inaugurated a new Direct Trade partnership with Fausto Romo of Finca Carolina in Pichincha, Ecuador, with the launch of a delicious Sidra Washed.
Though 2025 had many highlights, it also brought its fair share of challenges. The entire coffee industry continues to navigate persistently high green coffee prices. Paired with unpredictable tariffs, it made for an extremely volatile year for coffee roasters and drinkers alike.
Sadly, we suffered a profound loss this year when our friend and production team member, Tony, passed away unexpectedly. Tony was a reliable and hard-working co-worker, but most of all, he was kind and he was our friend. We miss him terribly and will fondly remember his thoughtful nature and brilliant smile for many years to come.
Needless to say, weâre looking forward to a fresh start in 2026. Cheers!