This month we have selected a roaster that is in our neighborhood – Portola Coffee Roasters in Costa Mesa, CA. We’ve really enjoyed the coffees from them that we’ve tried so far, and we know you will, too!

Portola Coffee is dedicated to quality, from crop to cup. As they say at Portola, coffee “can only be maintained or diminished once it is placed into our hands.” They understand the importance of a great crop, which is why they cup thousands of different coffees a year at source while only buying around 30 or less.

Purchasing coffee isn’t a one time event for Portola. It’s the start of a relationship. Each year, they continue to travel to source to be able to witness conditions and give feedback on the crop. Each producer is required to be transparent about use of funds and treatment of workers. They emphasize both social and environmental sustainability and pay well above fair trade pricing for all of their coffees.

Locally, Portola coffee invests in their workers by helping them educate and expand their coffee knowledge to help them continue to grow their careers. They also donate coffee to local non-profits and frequently participate in fundraisers, donating coffee, gift cards, and more to help raise funds.