LA Based Coffee Bean Drops Kosher Certification

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf stores have announced as of next month, it will no longer be offering full kosher certification in its stores.

While all food and beverage items are currently kosher in most CBTL stores across Southern California (aside from certain franchised stores), come June 8, only certain items will continue to be kosher, the Jewish Journal reported.

According to a company statement, CBTL had been doing “extensive consumer research” before the pandemic and “came to the decision to end our storewide kosher-only status and broaden our product offers. While this was initially scheduled to be a phased rollout, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased business pressures.”

The company’s packaged coffees, teas and powders will remain certified kosher through the Los Angeles-based Kosher Supervision of America. Some packaged foods found in the stores may also be kosher, but the wide array of baked goods, sandwiches and salads are no longer guaranteed to be kosher.

Several petitions to keep the stores kosher appeared on Change.org, including one with over 5,000 signatures.

CBTL has been a SoCal staple since it opened in 1963, and a kosher destination for customers in LA and surrounding areas. It currently offers a kosher version of the frappuccino called the Ice Blended, numerous baked goods including scones, bagels, cookies and challah on Fridays. At one point, the chain even opened up a Chalav Yisrael store near Hancock Park. CBTL noted in its May 12 statement, “We have long been committed to providing food and beverage offers that delight and inspire our guests, including the Orthodox community.”