When CAMUS, the 150-year-old family-run cognac company, decided to expand its product offerings, one might’ve expected another variety of brandy or, perhaps, Champagne. But Cyril Camus, the fifth-generation Camus family member who runs the business, had a different idea: coffee. “Cyril wanted something totally different than cognac, but also something that would complement it,” explains Frank Matz, CEO of Harrison-based MAISON CAMUS Coffee (camuscoffee.com).
Although the two sides of the CAMUS company are different entities, great effort is made to link the cognac and coffee (including a trademarked signature drink called the CAMUCCINO, made with CAMUS cognac, CAMUS French Roast, simple syrup, and evaporated milk). CAMUS Coffee is grown sustainably—without herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides—using the highest grade of 100-percent Arabica beans from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Columbia. The two blends offered by the three-year-old company are the Signature Blend, which is a medium roast, and a French Roast, a darker coffee with more body. This premium-quality coffee is in the process of coming to Westchester stores and is currently sold on Amazon as well as in New York City at Garden of Eden, Dean & DeLuca, and Brooklyn Fare. Prices for an 8.8-oz package range from $11 to $14.
The future of Maison CAMUS? Matz says that, in addition to one day having a coffee shop, they plan to follow in the footsteps of the cognac brand by offering only premium products.
