What is new crop coffee?

New crop refers to the most recently harvested and processed green coffee from a specific origin - the first arrivals of the current season, representing the freshest possible green coffee available from that place.

New crop arrives with higher moisture content than older stock, brighter flavour characteristics, and fuller aromatic complexity. These qualities are why new crop arrivals are highly anticipated by specialty buyers, who plan purchasing calendars around the expected arrival windows for key origins.

As the season progresses, the previous harvest transitions from new crop to current crop to past crop. The timeline varies by origin: a Brazilian new crop arrives between July and September; an Ethiopian new crop typically from November onwards. For roasters working with relationship-based sourcing, new crop arrivals are a key commercial event - often accompanied by sample programmes and early-access offerings from importers who've contracted the lots forward.