By: Lindsey Chastain

In the world of coffee, flavor often reigns supreme. But at General Warfield’s Coffee, every sip aims to tell a deeper story—of resilience, reconnection, and the courageous leap two people took to build something that mattered.

For John and Onome Warfield, coffee became more than a morning ritual. It was the thread that kept them connected during one of the most uncertain chapters of their lives—and eventually became the foundation of a business rooted in purpose, legacy, and love.

From Miles Apart to a Shared Mission

In early 2020, as the world shut down and travel restrictions drew invisible lines between countries and loved ones, John and Onome found themselves navigating a long-distance relationship under the weight of a global pandemic. She was abroad. He was stateside. And there was no clear timeline for a reunion.

Rather than let distance wear them down, they found solace in routine. Daily video calls turned into virtual coffee dates. “It was the one part of the day that felt normal,” says John, a public health researcher with a background in HIV and cancer prevention. “We’d brew our coffee, talk about life, and reconnect. Coffee became more than a drink—it became our anchor.”

Those quiet moments sparked a bigger idea. Could their shared ritual evolve into something larger? Might they channel the values that mattered most to them—connection, integrity, sustainability—into a brand of their own?

And so, General Warfield’s Coffee was born.

Craft, Character, and a Fictional General

Despite the name, General Warfield isn’t a real person—it’s a character John and Onome created to represent the spirit behind the brand.

“We imagined General Warfield as someone who leads with integrity, not force,” Onome explains. “He’s a symbol of strength, yes, but the quiet kind—the kind rooted in ethics, not ego. That’s the energy we aimed to infuse into the business.”

The name, like the coffee, is intentional. It reflects their values and the kind of legacy they aspire to build—one rooted in courage, care, and doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easy way.

Those values guide everything the brand does, from sourcing to packaging to how it engages in the marketplace. For John and Onome, building a business wasn’t about being the loudest voice in the coffee industry—it was about staying true to their story.

A Cup with a Conscience

From the outset, General Warfield’s set out to prioritize quality and ethics. They focus exclusively on specialty-grade Arabica beans, sourcing directly from smallholder farms and cooperatives that often prioritize sustainable practices. Many of these farms are located at higher elevations, producing coffee with distinctive regional flavor profiles and providing critical income to the families who grow it.

“We strive to make coffee more than a product,” says Onome. “It should be a bridge between cultures, between people, between intention and action.”

To that end, every purchase contributes to reforestation efforts. The company plants one mangrove tree per bag sold, initially focusing on Madagascar and now expanding into Kenya. These trees can help restore coastal ecosystems while also supporting local jobs and long-term environmental resilience.

It’s a simple but potentially powerful equation: one bag, one tree, one small but meaningful impact.

The Art of Roasting

Of course, sustainability is only part of the story. The Warfields are equally passionate about the coffee itself.

All their beans are roasted in small batches in an FDA-approved facility, allowing for precision and quality control. Roasting is approached as a craft, balancing temperature, time, and bean origin to highlight complex notes while preserving a smooth, low-acid profile. That smoothness is intentional: they wanted their coffee to be inclusive, even for those with sensitive stomachs or who’ve had to give up acidic brews.

The result is coffee that aims to taste exceptional. Whether it’s a bright single-origin or a cozy, balanced blend, General Warfield’s coffees are designed to appeal to discerning palates without being pretentious.

Building Community Through Coffee

More than anything, John and Onome see their business as a form of connection. They’re not interested in faceless transactions or mass-market gimmicks. Instead, they want every customer to feel like they’re part of something—an ongoing story that includes farmers, roasters, buyers, and communities across the globe.

“From the very beginning, we hoped to foster a sense of belonging,” says John. “This company was born out of love and distance, and we’ve tried to build that same emotional resonance into every aspect of the brand.”

Their transparency is key to that connection. Customers can learn where their coffee comes from, what’s in it, and how it was grown. They can feel good knowing that their morning ritual helps plant trees and support small farms. And they can take comfort in the fact that behind each roast is a real couple with a real story.

Rooted in Maryland, Reaching the World

Though their impact is global, General Warfield’s remains deeply connected to its Maryland roots. The Warfields draw inspiration from the strength and grit of their home state, where legacy and hard work still matter. That same ethos drives their company: quality over speed, impact over noise, story over spin.

Since their 2022 launch, the brand has seen steady growth. Subscriptions are on the rise, customer retention remains strong, and their sustainability model appears to resonate with consumers looking for more than just another coffee brand. Their mugs, merch, and gift bundles are also gaining popularity, especially among those wanting to support mission-driven small businesses.

Looking Ahead

As General Warfield’s Coffee grows, so does its vision. John and Onome are working on deepening their direct partnerships with farmers and expanding their product offerings. They’re also planning to release more educational content—everything from brewing guides to behind-the-scenes looks at sourcing and roasting.

At the heart of it all is a desire to stay grounded.

“At the end of the day, we want this to stay personal,” says John. “This business came from something real, and we never want to lose that. Whether someone’s trying our coffee for the first time or joining our subscription family, we want them to feel like they’re part of something meaningful.”

And that’s the essence of General Warfield’s Coffee. It’s not just a brand—it’s a bridge. Between people, places, and purpose. Between the quiet moments we crave and the shared stories that fuel us.

Because sometimes, the best love stories aren’t just told. They’re brewed—one sip at a time.

Published by Jeremy S.