This Is the Only Coffee Grown in the Continental United States

The conventional thinking is that you can’t grow coffee outside of the tropics. But Jay Ruskey isn’t a conventional thinker. He is a food innovator growing coffee in California. The founder and CEO of Frinj Coffee is the first person to farm the crop in the continental United States. Jessica Anselmi, a member of Panera’s food innovation team, visits Ruskey’s land in the rolling hills of Goleta to see how he does it. Teaser: Avocados play a key role.
Panera and its affiliates do not source coffee from and do not sponsor or endorse from Goodland Organics products in any manner.
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[@GreatBigStory]

Great Big Story is back! Thank you for your warm welcome back and kind words - we appreciate your support so much ❤ Make sure you 'Subscribe' to our channel to get notified about new videos!

[@christiantran8454]

Will do

[@RacquelNM]

I would have enjoyed and appreciated the video more if the focus was solely on Jay and his efforts to grow coffee and not split with Panera’s practices and interests. The placard in the beginning of the video that showed that Panera sponsored the video was and should have been sufficient.

[@davidafoley3854]

Ditto on that!

[@sonnyg960]

You are a good person. That is just my belief, I don’t really know that, but I hope I’m right.

[@noahdacheese839]

Shameless ad for Panera. I just wanted to learn more about how in the world he got coffee to grow in cali.

[@sonnyg960]

Dude you so right I’m only 2:09 in and I’m seeking a better video. I’m just curious about if I could possibly grow my own coffee… jeez

[@sheator6359]

Panera kinda ruined the video no lie

[@sonnyg960]

I agree. Corporations and rich greedy people ruin everything. I dislike them, strongly.

[@FingeringThings]

Video: *exists* Panera: It’s free ad space

[@jacobs1047]

Let's find a more stale format to use

[@saquibahmad599]

Again i see u fingering man

[@Northwest360]

Waaaay too ad like, but cool work he's doing!

[@marie-antoinettemanzan430]

Panera doesn’t purchase from this farm and they’re just shamelessly plugging lmao

[@michaelmcandrews9474]

Right? "Check out this cool guy that grows coffee in Cali, but we don't buy from him. Buy Panera, it is great!"

[@chickennoodlesoup4918]

@@michaelmcandrews9474 literally wtf

[@JuniperJupiter]

Plus if they did, they'd just pull it out of the freezer, boil out in the bag, and serve it "fresh"! 🤣

[@WhoaNellyJake]

Lmao! The lady from Panera for the sponsor of the video goes "No, we have absolutely no correlation with this dude and his Californian coffee farm, but here we are"

[@plazasta]

"oh and by the way our stuff is great too!"

[@jasonlieberman4606]

Sponsored content is great if it lets you keep it coming with high production values, but this is really a bit too commercial, and not really up to the standard I think a lot of us have come to expect of this channel. I'd encourage you to make future sponsorships a bit more seamless, or you may find long-time followers like myself disappearing from your viewership.

[@Paelorian]

So why wouldn't coffee grow in southern California or Florida where it is warm and sunny year-round and there is good soil and plenty of water? Other tropical plants grow there just fine. Only the southernmost parts of the US are consistently warm and frost-free, but in those places they harvest plenty of tropical fruits. For example, southern California and Florida are the only two regions of the US really suited for avocado cultivation and since there's demand they both grow a lot of avocados there and have a huge industry. Coffee is grown in Cuba and Cuba is very close to Florida. I would think coffee beans could be cultivated Florida. It's a shame I heard more about Panera Bread than US coffee production in this video.

[@-kingofsaiyannappa-9057]

Florida got a lot of tropical fruits that is common is south east asia...Thought coffee would be there too~~~kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpisp6uGfZKaaLM

[@StrictlyAwesome]

@Andro mache or because we already have an edge in the market. Since this whole trade war with China started, this is given Brazil an edge against the U.S. soybean market

[@Artix902]

It's more expensive to set up a farm in the US than to get it much cheaper from Latin America

[@Paelorian]

@@javedakhtar Thanks for the response. That makes sense. Do you know why it is that coffee grows better at higher altitudes?

[@Paelorian]

@@javedakhtar Thank you, that's exactly the kind of pertinent good information I was looking for! I take it that the kind of high temperature variability and windy climates available near sea level, like deserts, must be too extreme for coffee. Yes, higher elevations in warm regions sounds ideal. I'm reading that those are exactly the conditions in the US's largest (though still small) coffee producing regions in Hawaii and Puerto Rico, where coffee is grown in higher elevation mountainous areas. Question answered! Thank you very much.

[@RngrfromtheMtns]

I have a single, potted coffee tree...in Montana. I has produced exactly 2 cups of coffee worth of beans.

[@TheChicagoCourier]

that's awesome! do you have a video explaining how you got it to grow?

[@Boogers32150]

THIS VIDEO IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY *SUBWAY* EAT FRESH

[@DrewCNewOrleans]

The problem with your entire video is that this is NOT the only coffee grown in the continental US. Why you gotta lie?

[@Tyldama24]

They never say it's the only one , he was the FIRST one :)

[@DrewCNewOrleans]

@@Tyldama24 The title of the video states that it is the only one. He said otherwise, but the title is false and clickbaity

[@Tyldama24]

@@DrewCNewOrleans oh, the title! Yeah that's true. I agree there

[@arcanewonders9641]

It’s the first ever commercial coffee farm.

[@holycrapchris]

1:00 This isn't an ad 2:00 This isn't an ad 2:24 This isn't an ad 2:25 This IS an ad

[@DiRECs]

2:24 This killed the video. Then again, she was honest. If she hadn't said anything we would all have assumed that Panera buys from this guy.

[@tekkitsmashercast]

Probably would've enjoyed the video more if the Panera ad wasn't so intrusive

[@jamesdougherty8055]

Why is Panera interested in a coffee farm

[@jamesdougherty8055]

P.s. I was first

[@xMaluko]

James Dougherty ok

[@Boogers32150]

Advertisement

[@AdiPrimandaGinting]

As far as I know, although coffee planted in the tropics, they are usually planted in highlands i.e. cooler weather. Thus, California's cool climate maybe good for coffee plantation

[@headlesshammerhead]

Why. Why does Panera shamelessly state they don't buy from him, but then say he's so great, he lives the Panera way! I don't eat bread but oh man is Entenmann's AWESOME!!!

[@kennethhudson8013]

Why not grow coffee trees in commercial greenhouses with grow lights?

[@expatconn7242]

I’m growing coffee but it’s just one plant I’ve been doing it for four years now I live in Southern California I’d love to come up and look at your stuff and get a few tips pointers I was looking for some good advice

[@MesGuided]

“Our coffee at Panera is complete shit compared to this stuff”

[@jeffreywickens3379]

You growing Arabica? I live in Hawaii, and I've grown Arabica, but I can't find Robusta plants or seeds here. I bought some Robusta coffee from Robarica brand coffee grown in Vietnam, and it is WONDERFUL. I like this Robusta MUCH MORE than Arabica, so I am curious as to what you are growing.

[@TheTRUST8888]

Can't tell if the video is really about the grower or Panera talking about how great their coffee is

[@tenebrosforsetti.7998]

GOD BLESS JAY RUSKEY AND HIS FAMILY AND HIS GENERATIONS FOR ALL ETERNITIES AND INFINITIES FOR HIS UNIMAGINABLY AMAZING,INCREDIBLY EXTREMELY,IMMENSE HARDWORK,PERSEVERANCE AND SACRIFICES.

[@ruthiemay4799]

I don't care for Panera coffee and I'm so angry they stopped carrying pecan sticky rolls. Good success to this man and his hard work. Ok, so, in keeping with the crowd, I'm 22. 🙄🙄🙄

[@jeanettebelz5800]

I agree. The coffee at Panera has a bad taste and I stopped going for breakfast because the sticky rolls were what drew me. Heat them up and they were wonderful!

[@buzz-es]

Aside from a plug for Panera, the vid says absolutely nothing useful about growing coffee in the US. Slow day?

[@RS999GTI]

$75 for 5oz of Frinj Coffee - woof!

[@hannahw111]

Hated this Panera bread commercial just as much as I hate their processed “non processed” nasty food... have you ever actually tasted fresh food? Panera’s coffee probably can’t even stand a chance to this mans coffee. Wish this was better content.

[@williamsrkurt]

Would have been nice to know how they can accomplish this, there's no way you care about your coffee Panera bread, as much as this guy does.

[@MrYEET-wn1yl]

Love your vids

[@lisaenglert3202]

Very cool, never heard of this farm and i live here.

[@ant91011]

Coffee keeps us awake

[@barcadoubletreblesixtuple4020]

Key would totally love to have continental breakfast with that continental coffee on the side...

[@raulmartinezjr5023]

My spanish teacher grows this coffee! Hi Ms.Plucinski!!!

[@michaeldall9475]

Ahh no we were in Glacier National Park years ago and we had their locally grown coffee ! Also had all natural hamburger at the I believe IGA ? in St.Marys!

[@saber-san6270]

Basically this is just a commercial for Panera instead of a real video.

[@TheSteveAS]

Wait, what!?! This guy’s farm is less than an hour from my house!?! Who knew? Thanks GBS!

[@loritouma9767]

Pretty cool!!!! Impressive.. innovated for sure. MOST PEOPLE LOVE COFFEE, SO WE WANT YOUR PRODUCT.. WHERE DO WE GET IT?? LOL

[@Elainerulesutube]

Good story!

[@darcflame37]

Panera's food is a long shot from what it used to be. Slimy processed meats come in plastic bags. Its not what you think. I used to work there for 6 years straight before it was bought out. I would not eat there again.

[@missrobinhoodie]

The thumbnail looked so pretty... ...then the ad started. Also this music?!

[@nightfury1591]

I am lucky to be born and live in Indonesia, there are many types of coffee here.

[@robertshrewsbury4241]

Are they marketing the fruit part of the coffee as well?

[@starfallsnow4490]

Hey, you got advertising in my learning! Not cool.

[@angeloperez9280]

I heard that spongebob song at the 2:20 min part

[@TheChicagoCourier]

I DO NOT CARE ABOUT PANERA!! TELL ME ABOUT THE COOFFFEEEE MANNNN

[@percthirtington4588]

So... this video has nothing to do with Panera bread. The fuck?

[@emilyibotson7092]

Can u do a video on road bowling???

[@rc9277]

That's cool but Mariposa coffee has been in California since 91. Why are they saying they are the only one in the us?

[@huntrrams]

Now I want to know about the only tea plantation in the U.S..

[@Gazetteer-ch3pp]

Especially Brazil! Brazil is the top One producer of Coffee.

[@mysisandme8533]

Bin with you since 1k

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

Coffee is being grown in San Diego now.

[@illusionclan5248]

Legit never been earlier in my life

[@jamescurtiss414]

2:42 just a series of the lady nodding silently

[@van3158]

Never heard of Community Coffee in Louisiana?

[@francesdack9729]

I expect videos in CNN 5 Things to be educational not ads for chain restaurants.

[@HinDoongEe]

The Daniel Plainview of Coffee

[@angakingtutube]

It's a good coffee story until panera's sponsored ad starts at 2:26 🤐🙈🙉

[@darksideoftoast]

Hey look at this cool thing. Isn't Panera great? I'm really into cool things. Panera sure does care about it's consumers.

[@imperialnut3146]

The only place that grows coffee and other tropical fruit in North America is Mexico and now I guess California now too I guess I would never guess California to grow coffee here

[@ximonwhhatt3796]

I'll love me some coffee bread

[@kingchillcali]

Would it have killed y’all to give us an extra minute of footage with audio of the taste testing? It was made quite clear that Panera doesn’t buy from Jay any longer which is fine but it’s even clearer someone is still salty about it.

[@christopherwatson8806]

that's awesome

[@plazasta]

love what the guy does, but the way Panera made this video about them too is an outright scumbag move. I had never heard of them before, but now I do and, because of what they said in this video ("Panera doesn't purchase coffee from Jay today, but the care that Jay and his team put into Frinj coffee really reflects the care that Panera puts into our coffees") already makes me hate them I mean seriously, when you boil down this video into one sentence, it's basically Panera saying "Hey look at this awesome dude who has absolutely nothing to do with us, we're as awesome as he is, buy our products!"

[@nsb2021]

Panera lies but there more honest than McDonald etc i work at a food corporation and we literally made the panera mac n cheese and package it in 2lb bags kept in the freezer and ship them out. One time our company made to much so i took home like 4lbs of mac n cheese and 5lbs of potato salad lol

[@aurumthebrave3427]

Fookin Panera.

[@seasong7655]

Dude should get some asian palm civets

[@Artix902]

Isn't Panera a bread

[@shazimali6388]

I grow coffee in florida

[@goo6]

panera bread is a bad restaurant

[@kingtraviselgreat9836]

goo6 your right and it's over priced

[@Michael_______]

Cool people

[@Optic_220]

I always thought your coffee plants would die in a second in California

[@fableagain]

Gee I wonder who sponsored this video.

[@MaddRamm]

Nice Panera Bread ad....I see what you did there. 😑

[@davidg7639]

In the continent of the US? Hä

[@joemccarty5738]

How about highlighting the farmer for than the wasteful, destructive companies..

[@augustnotamonth5078]

Yeet

[@connorgrish5246]

DO NOT advertise to me EVER

[@joshcunningham7064]

I love great big story!! But I don’t want to see Panera logo and that annoying Panera voice.

[@poenpp1021]

Ceo of nature is mad

[@pameladaley955]

THIS IS A FUCKING AD FOR PANERA!! What gives, Great Big Story??

[@markkaidy8741]

Your Arrows left out Yemen and Ethiopia which are places the best coffee is grown with Ethiopia no 1

[@cooperallgood4227]

Fun fact for an average 12 ounce cup of coffee it takes 140 liters of water to grow

[@loritouma9767]

Stupid panera stepped in... like others said panera ruined this video... i want to know more about where this coffee is bought, are there different varieties, can u purchase it internationally and much much more....bet the owner couldve done a better job at promoting his product.. now i have to see if we can locate it on the East coast.. to buy it..

[@loistan2431]

I really wanted to like this video but the shameless plugs throughout the video literally ruined this story. 2 mentions in the first 30 seconds? Really?

[@FieRcE7yt]

This is just an ad

[@eighthourlunch]

Less marketing next time.

[@lichbich588]

Panera used much to heavy of a hand here, it is off putting.

[@lmankj]

I doubt he’s the first person…

[@mrs.chandler9384]

I’ve been growing coffee in Georgia for the passed 10 years. He isn’t the first at all. What a load of horse shit

[@johannamoquin6886]

I'd like to know more-is it fun and interesting? Enough to sell or share-it's cool to do something that is rarely done.

[@tdtrecordsmusic]

that was probably the lamest video humanly possible. Translation > A guy grows coffee in CA. He says he is first. Says it took innovation. Grows next to an avocado. < wow Such depth.. oh wait , this was an AD . too bad, caz I think a person grew coffee. welp ,, well never know.

[@ferologics]

WAT

[@BBK727]

This channel has become quite fake since the ads

[@nathanmoore8104]

10th

[@schwalls13]

Panera, get outta here

[@a09181]

Lol but Panera coffee sucks

[@olivermalpas-sands7723]

Fourth?

[@jorxan_461]

Third

[@hubbins5884]

Am I first

[@jorxan_461]

No you are not