Minnesota direct-to-consumer guide, 2026
Coffee & Tea
Roasted coffee, loose tea, and dry blends sold in sealed packages.
Cottage Food Eligible (Dry Products)What is covered and what needs a different path
What’s covered
- Dry loose-leaf tea and herbal tea blends
- Roasted whole-bean or ground coffee packed and labeled by you
- Dry drink mixes made from non-potentially hazardous ingredients
Needs a different path
- Cold brew, bottled tea, or brewed drinks sold to go (licensed kitchen, taxable)
- Teas with Supplement Facts labels or health claims (supplement rules, taxable)
- Mailed orders, wholesale, or sales over $78,000
Three compliance steps
Keep it dry and simple
Stick to dry, shelf-stable products. MDA has not published coffee-roasting rules in the cottage guidance, so ask MDA licensing (651-201-6062) before roasting for sale.
Register with MDA
Register every year before selling. Sales of $7,665 or less: free Tier 1 with a yearly MDA training and exam. $7,666 to $78,000: $50 and an approved course every three years. The registration year runs April 1 to March 31.
Label it, post the sign, sell in person
Label each package with your name or business name, address or registration number, date produced, ingredients with allergens, and “These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.” Post the same statement on a sign or your website. You or an employee must be present at the sale or delivery.
Quick reference
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Sales cap | $78,000 gross per calendar year per registered person | MDA |
| Registration | Tier 1 free ($7,665 or less); Tier 2 $50 per year | MDA |
| Label | Name, address or reg. number, date, ingredients, allergens, homemade statement | MDA |
| Shipping | Human food may not be shipped now; MDA says allowed from Aug 1, 2027 | MDA |
| Bulk tea, coffee | Exempt food for sales tax | MN Revenue |
| Brewed drinks | Taxable when served in a cup or glass | MN Revenue |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to roast coffee?
This guide did not find a cottage-specific roasting rule. Ask MDA licensing at 651-201-6062 and keep the answer in writing.
Is loose tea taxable?
Plain tea is exempt food. Tea carrying a Supplement Facts label is taxed as a dietary supplement.
Can I sell by mail?
Not under the current cottage law. MDA says shipping is allowed from Aug 1, 2027.
Printable checklist
- Register or renew (April 1 to March 31 year)
- Finish the Tier 1 exam or Tier 2 course
- Post the homemade sign and web statement
- Track gross sales against $7,665 and $78,000
- Check city or township rules on home sales
- Decide tea claims (no health claims)
Coffee roasting treatment under the cottage exemption was not confirmed in a published MDA source.