Our Story
Rooted in Kobe, Connected to the World
A decade of sourcing, roasting, and building relationships that honor the craft of specialty coffee.
The Founder
A Journey That Started With a Single Cup
In 2014, after fifteen years in international commodity trading, our founder decided to pursue a lifelong passion for coffee. What began as weekend experiments with a sample roaster in a Kobe apartment garage quickly evolved into something much larger.
After training with master roasters in Melbourne, Portland, and Copenhagen, and spending months visiting coffee farms across Ethiopia, Colombia, and Indonesia, the vision became clear: build a roastery that bridges the gap between exceptional origin quality and the daily needs of professional cafe operators.
Today, our Kobe facility processes over 12 tonnes of specialty-grade green coffee monthly, serving more than 120 cafe and restaurant partners across Japan and Southeast Asia. Every decision we make still starts with the same question from that first cup: does this honor the people who grew it?
The Roastery
Where Transformation Happens
Our 400 square meter Kobe facility combines heritage equipment with modern precision technology.
Vintage Probat Roasters
Two meticulously maintained Probat drum roasters, each capable of 15kg batches, provide the thermal consistency and gentle airflow our profiles demand.
Precision Data Logging
Every roast is digitally profiled with bean temperature, rate of rise, and airflow data. This ensures batch-to-batch consistency within 0.5 degrees of target.
Cupping Laboratory
Our dedicated cupping room evaluates every production batch against reference samples. We cup a minimum of three times before any coffee ships to partners.
Climate-Controlled Storage
Green coffee inventory is stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled warehouse, preserving freshness and preventing moisture damage before roasting.
Direct Trade
Relationships, Not Transactions
We buy directly from farmers and cooperatives in four countries, paying premiums that average 35% above Fair Trade minimums. This isn't charity; it's an investment in quality. When farmers are fairly compensated, they invest in better processing infrastructure, which directly improves cup quality.
Our team visits origin at least twice per year, participating in harvest, evaluating new lots, and discussing agronomic improvements. Several of our partnerships span the full decade of our existence.
Our Values
What Guides Us
Integrity at Origin
We believe great coffee starts with fair partnerships. Every buying decision considers the human impact alongside cup quality, because the two are inseparable.
Relentless Craft
We approach roasting as both science and art. Continuous learning, rigorous quality control, and honest self-assessment drive our pursuit of the perfect roast profile.
Partner Success
Our wholesale partners' success is our success. We provide not just beans, but training, equipment support, and menu consultation to help every partner thrive.