Sailing the Seas of Success: Saltwinds Coffee Company
Saltwinds Coffee Company is a shining example of how innovation and passion can transform a simple idea into a thriving business. The coffee company began its journey in 2021, in a modest 200 square-foot woodshed. Today, it has grown more than tenfold, employing around a dozen staff and selling its maritime-inspired coffee internationally. This remarkable growth is a testament to the company's dedication to quality and creative practices.
Founded by Dr. Laura Richard, a chemist, and Brad Rideout, an entrepreneur inspired by the story of coffee's arrival in Canada, Saltwinds Coffee set out to recreate the unique taste of 19th-century coffee. "We started our business with the idea of recreating the way coffee used to taste when it first came to Canada on wooden sailing ships in the 1800s," explains Dr. Richard. During those voyages, the salty sea air infused the beans, giving the coffee a smoother, sweeter taste. To replicate this historic flavour, Saltwinds developed a proprietary Ocean Air infusion process. This inventive method has earned the company international acclaim, including bronze medals at the International Cold Brew Championships in both 2023 and 2024.
In 2024, Saltwinds Coffee received an Export License from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, a milestone made possible with the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This support enabled Saltwinds to ramp up production and expand its reach, including a rollout to Sobeys grocery stores across Atlantic Canada in 2023-2024. This expansion has not only allowed Saltwinds to meet the demands of a larger market but has also underscored the significance of buying local and supporting Canadian businesses, principles that are central to Saltwinds Coffee's goals.
Saltwinds Coffee is committed to maintaining the highest quality standards, and values consumer feedback as well as external validation to continuously improve its offerings. The company sends its coffee to be assessed by international standards like the Specialty Coffee Association cupping score protocol, a standardized method for evaluating and scoring coffee.
Sustainability is also a core value for Saltwinds. Recognizing the high carbon footprint of coffee production, the company works with research partners to develop technologies that reduce CO2 emissions in coffee roasting, aiming for zero emissions in the future. "Part of our mission at Saltwinds is finding ways to roast coffee that are better for the environment too," explains Dr. Richard.
Rapid growth presents its own set of challenges. "Growing as fast as Saltwinds is a challenge in and of itself. The systems, equipment and processes you put in place for the size you are today will already be obsolete and undersized in six months with our growth rate," says Dr. Richard. Saltwinds is constantly scaling up, refining its processes and seeking new efficiencies to meet increasing demand. "We're always looking for ways to do better and produce more," Dr. Richard notes.
Saltwinds Coffee aspires to bring the taste of Maritime seafaring history to coffee lovers worldwide, while promoting the beauty of Canada’s East Coast. The company looks forward to fair winds and following seas as it embarks on this impressive venture. "We want to share the unique flavour of our coffee and the beauty of the Maritimes with the world," Dr. Richard says. "It's an exciting time for us…and thanks to ACOA’s assistance, Saltwinds Coffee is ready to sail out for distant ports."