The aroma wakes us up, its taste perks us up. We need it first thing in the morning, brewed fresh and strong. It keeps us going throughout the day. We’ll take it on the go, savor it after dinner, and turn into grumps if we can’t get our daily fix. Yes, we love our coffee.

Now Fayette County java addicts have one more reason to love coffee, thanks to On Safari Trading Co. On Safari is Peachtree City’s new wholesale and retail coffee roasting and distributing company, specializing in the highest quality coffee beans from around the world.

Owner Tom Arsenault said he has always had a passion for great coffee, and going into the gourmet coffee business had been a longtime dream.

“We take the art of roasting coffee seriously,” he said. “We start with the best quality gourmet green coffees from around the world, with African coffees being a feature. To ensure freshness and because each coffee is as unique as its country of origin, we meticulously roast each coffee in small batches to order.”

A visit to the Peachtree city roastery or a glance at their Web site (www.onsafaritrading.com) will show you that Tom and his wife Elizabeth Bara know what they are doing when it comes to coffee. The countries of origin span the globe, from the African coffees from Kenya and Zimbabwe to South American varieties from Brazil and Guatemala.

In the same way that wine connoisseurs describe their blends, coffee lovers will appreciate the Arsenault’s detailed descriptions of each bean. For instance, the Indian Monsoon Malabar coffee is described as having a “deep full body, slightly musty aroma with a smooth spicy taste.” The description goes on to explain how this unusual coffee gets its flavor from being exposed to the moisture-laden winds of the monsoon in open-sided warehouses which reduces the acidity and imparts a heavy syrupy flatness.

Another coffee, the Kenya Premium, has a “medium body, dry wine-like acidity, with citrus tones.” Most Kenyan specialty coffee comes from the mountainous central region near Mt. Kenya, and Arsenault said this bean brews a fresh clean cup with a nice follow through.

“The best part of the morning is walking into the roastery and being engulfed in that lovely aroma of coffee, both green and fresh roasted,” Arsenault said, clearly enjoying his profession.

On Safari also has a collection of unique blends, including the Peachtree City Blend, described as an “all American blend of South and Central American coffee with a light body and great flavor with a soft finish.” It is a favorite of coffee drinkers preferring a mild but flavorful coffee. The company’s most popular blend is the Safari Roast Blend, made up of “mainly African beans with a surprise guest. It is great to wake up to and also makes a nice dinner coffee, smooth and hearty.”

Many of the coffees available at On Safari are sold either roasted or green, for those who prefer to do their own roasting. There is also a different Coffee of the Month for a special price each month; January’s is Zimbabwe Vumba Gold, with a bold taste and smooth finish.

Zimbabwe coffee is something the Arsenaults know very well; until recently, the couple was living and working in Zimbabwe. When they decided to move back to the United States and open On Safari Trading Co., they brought four tons of high quality green coffees back with them. While in Africa, Tom and Elizabeth founded “A Self-help Assistance Program” to assist people in Southern Africa who are trying to improve their lives, and they remain committed to the program even though they are back in the United States after being abroad for 11 years.

Besides quality coffee, On Safari Trading Co. distributes other products like Mont Blanc chocolate sauces and Monin flavored syrups. Tibetan Tea, a natural energy tea drink, is also featured. On Safari also specializes in personalized gifts.

“We can individualize and personalize labels that turn one pound bags of coffee into unique gifts for companies or individuals,” Arsenault said. “Gourmet coffee always makes a welcome gift, and the customized labels are our favorite types of orders. We also do a one and a half ounce packet of coffee that makes about 10 cups, and it is very popular with florists and other companies that make gift baskets.”

On Safari Trading Co. is located at 189 Fulton Court in Peachtree City, just off of Huddleston Road. Hours of operation are 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, or by appointment. To submit an order or to learn more about the many coffee varieties sold at On Safari, visit www.onsafaritrading.com or call 770-632-7357.

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