OUR BEGINNING
As one of the winners of Shift Capital’s Kensington Avenue Storefront Challenge, Càphê Roasters embarked on the goal of revitalizing the neighborhood of Kensington through coffee. Founded in 2018 by Raymond John, non-profit CEO of 12+, and Thu Pham, a Vietnamese American raised in Philadelphia, Càphê Roasters is the first and only Vietnamese specialty coffee roaster in Philadelphia, operating in the Kensington neighborhood. We offer coffee primarily sourced from Vietnam as well as other Southeast and East Asian regions, specially roasted to deliver the best drinking experience. Càphê’s mission is to bring communities together as inspired by the common Vietnamese expression “đi uống cà phê” translating to “let’s get coffee,” which in the Vietnamese culture signifies community engagement.
OUR COFFEE
Our Vietnamese beans are sourced from Lam Dong, Vietnam. This very special microlot comes from 38 smallholder Arabica producers living within the Central Highlands of Vietnam, all of whom farm on terrain located at 1,400 meters above sea level, which helps contribute to this coffee’s exceptional cup. The terrain in this province is locally called “Bazan Red Land” (red basalt soil) and offers the perfect conditions for growing coffee. This rich volcanic mountain soil, coupled with the highland elevations contributes to slow, even development, of the coffee cherry and ultimately, to a nutty, black tea, and floral profile.
OUR SOCIAL MISSION
A portion of our profits will be donated to 12 Plus, a Philadelphia education non-profit that partners with public high schools to increase educational equity. Càphê will employ students from 12 Plus' partner schools and offer them a positive workspace that fosters a learning culture that focuses on personal and professional development. We will partner with local businesses and food markets across the city to stimulate the growth of their businesses. Similar to how Vietnamese coffee is made, Càphê will inspire community engagement and the bridging of cultures.