Starbucks Reserve Illustration
Coffee Cards
Every Starbucks Reserve® —just like the coffee that inspired it—is a work of art. They are at the center of our brand—and at the heart of our creative point of view. Twice a month, the coffee team briefs creatives on new additions to our library of rare, remarkable coffees. We learn about where and how the coffee was grown, and by whom. Our task is to bring the story to life. Each card is an opportunity to dive deep into storytelling and create original artwork. Together writing and design communicate the ethos behind a particular coffee.
Team: Marisa Crane (ACD), Vivian Che, Megan Oost, Sara Hendrickson, Andy Brawner , Grace Gabel, Stef Hu , Maria Mcnamara, Erin Reitz
Role: Print Illustration and Typography
Kenya Kariaini
Coming to us from the Mwerua co-op in central Kenya, this micro-lot delivers all the characteristics of a Kenyan classic but with something more. Its uniqueness struck us with the very first sip: subtle and elegantly structured with balanced low notes that become more prominent as the cup cools. With such a remarkable profile, this coffee commanded our attention, even among the uniformly outstanding coffees we tasted from local growers near Nairobi.
RWANDA SHOLI
The founding principle of Abateraninkunga Ba Sholi, a woman-run coffee co-op in the Muhanga District of Central Rwanda, is community support through coffee. The name translates to “mutual assistance,” and in this co-op the spirit of service to others is profound. Bound by a drive to invigorate their local coffee market, the women of Sholi know that their passion for producing exceptional coffee translates into renewed strength for their economy.
COLOMBIA LA CASIANA
This small lot was grown by a team of women in the Vereda La Casiana district of the renowned Northern Andes coffee region. Since coffee is at the heart of the area’s culture and commerce, the women of this co-op are empowered to master more than agriculture; they are entrepreneurs, spreading good environmental, economic, social and business practices.
BURUNDI GAKENKE
Sometimes called the African Alps, the remote mountains of Burundi are covered with small backyard coffee plots. The farms, often intercropped with bananas, are made up of coffee shrubs in front of mud huts—chickens and other farm animals roam under the trees. Coming off a series of award-winning crops, the farmers who contribute to Gakenke work with palpable joy.
D.R. Congo Lake Kivu
Stability is growing in an area of the world that has been so fragile—and coffee farmers are playing a huge role. Lake Kivu, a massive freshwater lake bordering the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, creates an ecosystem ideally suited to the cultivation of heirloom Bourbon coffee trees, and determined smallholder farmers have banded into co-ops to build the trade. Their perseverance to share these crops with the world has inspired the coffee community to take part.
Honduras Cafico
Ten years ago, 35 farmers in the Corquín region of Honduras formed a collective. Their goal: to put their country on the specialty coffee map. Today, CAFICO (Cafés Finos de Corquín) has more than 750 members proudly dedicated to exporting extraordinary coffees. With a cupping lab and multiple technicians in place to oversee certifications and quality control, both the coffees and the lives of those who grow them continue to improve. Their efforts are captured in this sweet, lively cup, exemplifying the bright future of Honduran coffee.
Mount Kenya Baragwi
Kenyan coffee conjures up expectations of juicy brilliance and profound complexity. Our quest in this region was to find the quintessential example of such a cup. We tasted a collection of sought-after finds, deliberating over each one until finally arriving at an outstanding selection—and the proof is in your hands. The Baragwi co-op responsible for this exemplary coffee cares for their crop along the foothills of snowcapped Mt. Kenya. Their knowledge of the terroir is obvious, nurturing the beans between pristine natural waters, while balancing sweet and tart flavors in masterful fashion.
Jamaica Blue Mountain
Named after the mist that casts a blue-tinged glow over Jamaican mountainsides, this coffee was grown beneath the peak of the 7,400-foot / 2,250-meter Blue Ridge. The dew, along with plentiful rainfall and fertile soil, helps create ideal growing conditions. After the harvest, the beans are scrutinized and certified to ensure nothing short of high quality. The result: a complex cup with layers of citrus flavor and a hint of cocoa
Indonesia West Java
Dubbed the “abode of the gods” by locals, the Preanger region in West Java feels distinctly otherworldly—prolific rainfall, black volcanic earth and lush rainforest shade trees abound to form ideal coffee-growing conditions. Cooler temperatures also serve to slow coffee maturation, creating a complex cup profile that’s both sweet and herbal. This coffee is a notable favorite—and one we’re immensely proud to be offering for the third time.
Colombia Huila Pink Bourbon
Pink Bourbon is a rare and coveted find. A hybrid of Red and Yellow Bourbon, this varietal stands out in every way—from the striking pink color of its ripe coffee cherries to the sweetly complex flavor of its beans. Even in ideal growing conditions, Pink Bourbon is challenging to cultivate. In addition to meticulous plant maintenance, farmers must isolate their crops to encourage successful cross-pollination and the ongoing production of pink fruit. Given all the variables that need to align, this lot seems almost miraculous. Elegant and balanced with sweet floral tones. A truly breathtaking cup profile.
Hawaii Ka’u
Sea turtles were basking in the sun and nesting on this land long before it was given the name Ka`u. Today, life in this sparsely populated part of Hawaii continues to be slow-paced. With the high elevation and cool nights, even the coffee cherries mature more slowly in Ka`u. And with deep, nutrient-rich volcanic soil, these farms are producing coffees coveted around the world for their distinctive sweetness. This coffee is a simple way to joyfully share life—the spirit of Aloha.
