chemistry and physics that goes in to each roast. Each bean variety is different.”
Coffee THE
G U Y S
by Caylie Howard photos courtesy of www.blackmarkcoffee.com
T
wo years ago, long time friends John Thomas (JT) and Ryan Schroer began their journey of producing high-quality, freshly roasted coffee. JT had been roasting his own coffee for many years, and one day after church, Ryan proposed a business partnership.
Ryan and JT both enjoy a smooth cup of coffee but had trouble finding some locally that they enjoyed. This is where the idea of Black Mark Coffee Company began.
They buy their beans from sources in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Brazil. They then custom-blend and package them locally in their Flower Mound facility.
After 10 months of preparation that included certification, building a website, and attending three days of roasting school in Chicago, Black Mark Coffee Company was ready to launch in August of 2019.
JT and Ryan decided to stay true to their locally made roots by paying tribute to the Edward Marcus family farm, Black Mark Farms. This was the first farm of Flower Mound and where the Black Mark Coffee Company’s name was born.
Both JT and Ryan believe that the quality of the beans makes all of the difference in your product. Black Mark Coffee Company prides itself in buying the highest rated variety.
Black Mark Coffee Company is a subscription-based service that sells to individuals and businesses that appreciate premium, top-quality coffee. Subscriptions are based on the type of blend and quantity each buyer desires and is delivered monthly. Their top seller is the whole bean single origin Guatemalan, enjoyed by most for a smooth, luxurious blend. Schroer said, “Our limited time only Kenyan blend is my current favorite.”
The company currently offers four different types of blends; Breakfast Blend, Espresso, Single Origin, and Decaf. JT and his wife, Amy, have two children and have been residents of Lantana since 2006. Ryan and his wife Erika have three children and have lived in Flower Mound since 2007. While roasting and producing premium coffee is their passion, their day jobs are a bit different. Thomas works in software sales while Schroer works at American National Bank in Flower Mound. Ryan is also a board member of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber was a critical part of getting our business up and running.” he says. They pride themselves in being the official provider of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce coffee bar. Thomas and Schroer had originally planned to branch out from solely being a subscription-based service in 2020. They were in the process of expanding to retail outlets when COVID-19 hit. Because of the virus, those plans have been put on hold with hopes to make that a reality in the near future. In the meantime, JT and Ryan will continue to bless communities near and far with top quality, locally roasted coffee.
“Roasting the beans really is an art and a science.” Ryan said. There is a lot of www.LantanaLiving.com
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