Rooted in decades of expertise and a passion for education, Royal Coffee, Inc. and its experiential counterpart The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room are redefining how people discover and enjoy coffee. Based in Oakland, this family-run business has been shaping the specialty coffee industry since 1978—blending tradition with innovation every step of the way.
At the center of their latest offering is the idea that coffee isn’t just a beverage—it’s an experience worth exploring, learning, and sharing.
A Journey Through Flavor
Their Tasting Collections bring that philosophy to life. Each set is a curated, take-home coffee experience: three distinct whole-bean coffees sourced from producers pushing the boundaries of flavor development.
Seasonally rotating and thoughtfully selected, these collections invite customers to engage with coffee on a deeper level—comparing notes, discovering origins, and expanding their palate with every cup.
It’s not just about drinking coffee. It’s about understanding it.
For Chris Kornman, the journey into coffee started simply—working to pay for books in college. But what began as a job quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit.
Over the years, that curiosity has turned into deep expertise across nearly every facet of the industry: from roasting and quality control to education, sourcing, and storytelling. That breadth of knowledge is reflected in everything Royal Coffee does today.
What sets the company apart isn’t just access to rare and exceptional coffees—it’s the way those coffees are shared. With a focus on transparency, education, and accessibility, the team is committed to making even the most complex flavors approachable.
No pretense. Just really good coffee, thoughtfully presented.
When it came to packaging their Tasting Collections, the goal was clear: create something that mirrors the quality and intention behind the coffee itself.
By choosing a paper tube format, the team was able to align with their values of sustainability, while also elevating the overall experience. The result is packaging that feels sleek, tactile, and purpose-driven—designed to be recyclable, reusable, and visually distinctive.
The branding strikes a careful balance between elegance and playfulness. The Crown logo sits atop a series of unique animal illustrations, bringing a sense of whimsy to an otherwise refined design. It’s a visual language that feels both sophisticated and inviting—much like the coffee inside.
Coffee is deeply connected to global systems, and with that comes real challenges. Climate change, political instability, and economic pressures on producers all impact the industry in significant ways.
For Royal Coffee, addressing these challenges starts with knowledge. By fostering education and transparency throughout the supply chain, they aim to create a more sustainable and equitable future for coffee producers and consumers alike.
It’s not just about sourcing great coffee—it’s about supporting the people and processes behind it.
As they continue to grow, Royal Coffee and The Crown remain focused on what they do best: connecting people to exceptional coffee through education, service, and experience.
From training the next generation of coffee professionals to expanding their sourcing capabilities, the future is rooted in both innovation and long-standing relationships.
Because at the end of the day, great coffee is about more than taste—it’s about connection, curiosity, and craft.
Bringing this vision to life required a packaging solution that could match both form and function. Working with The Paper Tube Co., the team found a partner that delivered on design flexibility, production precision, and thoughtful execution.
The result is a packaging system that doesn’t just hold the product—it enhances it, turning each tasting collection into a complete, shareable experience.
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