Where Is Tim Hortons Coffee Made?
With its iconic red cup and unmistakable aroma, Tim Hortons has become deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Canada and has expanded its reach to several countries around the world.
While customers may be familiar with the comforting taste of a “double-double,” fewer people know where that coffee actually comes from. Is it roasted in Canada? Are the beans sourced locally or internationally?
Understanding where Tim Hortons coffee is made offers insight into the brand’s commitment to quality, consistency, and sustainability. This article explores the origins of Tim Hortons coffee and the processes that go into creating the coffee millions enjoy each day.
Where Is Tim Hortons Coffee Made?
Tim Hortons roasts and packages its coffee primarily at two dedicated facilities: one in Canada and one in the United States.
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
The main roasting facility for Tim Hortons in Canada is located in Ancaster, Ontario, a state-of-the-art, 75,000-square-foot facility that handles approximately 1.5 million pounds of coffee beans every week.
The roasting plant is highly automated and carefully monitored to maintain consistent taste and quality across all Tim Hortons locations in Canada. Coffee beans are roasted, blended, ground, and packaged here before being shipped out to restaurants across the country.
Henrietta (Rochester), New York, USA
For Tim Hortons locations in the United States and select international markets, coffee production is handled at the Maidstone Coffee facility in Henrietta, just outside Rochester, New York.
The Henrietta branch is a 40,000-square-foot plant that operates around the clock, five days a week, and roasts and packages over 100,000 pounds of coffee daily.
Like the Ancaster facility, the Henrietta plant is equipped with advanced roasting technology and rigorous quality control processes. It allows Tim Hortons to efficiently serve its growing base of American customers and helps ensure that U.S. coffee shops maintain the same signature flavor profile found in Canadian locations.
Which Countries Supply Tim Hortons’ Coffee Beans?
Tim Hortons obtains its coffee beans from several key regions:
- Brazil: As the world’s largest hot coffee producer, Brazil provides beans with mild, nutty flavors and low acidity.
- Colombia: Colombian beans are renowned for their balanced body, bright acidity, and notes of caramel and citrus.
- Guatemala: Grown in volcanic soil and high altitudes, Guatemalan beans offer a bold, full-bodied taste with hints of cocoa and spice.
- Kenya: Kenyan beans add complexity with their fruity and floral characteristics.
- El Salvador: Beans from El Salvador contribute to the blend’s balance and flavor consistency.
These regions are selected for their high-altitude coffee farms, which are ideal for growing Arabica beans.
Does Tim Hortons Use Arabica or Robusta Beans?
Tim Hortons exclusively uses 100% Arabica beans, which are generally considered superior to Robusta due to their refined flavor profile, smoother taste, and lower bitterness.
Arabica beans thrive at higher altitudes and require more care to cultivate, but they produce a more desirable cup of coffee.
Does Tim Hortons Support Ethical Sourcing?
Tim Hortons actively supports the ethical sourcing of its coffee beans through several established programs and partnerships.
One of the key components is its collaboration with Enveritas, a non-profit organization that audits 100% of Tim Hortons’ coffee purchases annually. These audits evaluate social, economic, and environmental factors to ensure the coffee is responsibly sourced and farmers adhere to fair practices.
Additionally, since 2005, Tim Hortons has run the Tims Coffee for Communities program, which provides training and support to coffee farmers, particularly targeting young farmers aged 18 to 30, and empowering women through leadership and agricultural education.
As of 2023, this initiative has helped over 18,000 farmers improve their farming techniques and community wellbeing.
How Does Tim Hortons Maintain Coffee Quality?
Tim Hortons maintains coffee quality through a careful and consistent process that starts with premium Arabica beans, sourced from trusted coffee-growing regions. About 10% of the beans are rejected during quality checks if they don’t meet the company’s standards.
At their roasting facilities in Ancaster, Ontario, and Henrietta, New York, the beans are roasted with great attention to detail. Expert tasters regularly sample the coffee through a process called “cupping” to check aroma, flavor, and other qualities.
The roasting process is closely monitored, with adjustments made to temperature and time to bring out the signature Tim Hortons flavor. This precise roasting method helps maintain consistency across all batches.
Once roasted, the coffee is ground and immediately packaged in airtight bags to keep it fresh by protecting it from moisture and oxygen. The coffee is also portioned into pre-measured packs, which helps ensure that every cup of coffee brewed in stores has the same strength and flavor.
FAQs
How much coffee does Tim Hortons roast and package daily?
At the Henrietta facility, Tim Hortons roasts and grinds over 100,000 pounds of coffee each day. This plant operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, distributing coffee to all Tim Hortons locations in the United States, as well as some Canadian and international stores.
The Ancaster facility in Canada is equally impressive, storing and shipping approximately 1.5 million pounds of coffee weekly. This volume translates to about 214,000 pounds of coffee per day, supporting the brand’s extensive network of outlets.
Does Tim Hortons offer coffee for home brewing?
Yes, Tim Hortons sells their Premium Blend coffee in bags and single-serve cups of coffee so customers can enjoy their coffee at home. They also sell other products like hot chocolate, K-Cup Pods, and cappuccino beverage mixes.
Where does Tim Hortons source their steeped tea?
Tim Hortons sources its signature steeped tea and specialty tea bag blends from Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, a Canadian company that has been providing custom blends to food service companies since 1912.
