Orinoco Coffee & Tea carries a heritage dating to 1909 when Leonardo Alarcon began collecting coffee in southwest Venezuela, establishing a family legacy that now spans four generations of growers, exporters, importers, and roasters. The company was formally founded in October 1996 by the Ramirez brothers and named for the river running through their Venezuelan homeland, anchoring the brand to its origins. Based in Jessup, Maryland, Orinoco balances family tradition with modern specialty coffee standards, earning a gold medal for Espresso Aniversario at the 2014 International Coffee Tasting Competition. Fair Trade and USDA Organic certifications reflect a commitment to both environmental stewardship and fair compensation at origin.