Coffee and Tea · San Jose, California
Chromatic Coffee
A South Bay specialty roaster buying directly from farms and roasting for sweetness.
- Founded by
- Otessa Crandell, James Warren
- Based in
- San Jose, California
Their story
Chromatic Coffee roasts in the South Bay, with cafes in Santa Clara and downtown San Jose. It was started by Otessa Crandell and James Warren, along with chief roaster Hiver van Geenhoven, all of whom had worked at well-known coffee shops before.
The first cafe opened in Santa Clara, and the team built its reputation on careful roasting and close ties with farmers. Its Yemen coffee project scored 97 points from Coffee Review and was named its best coffee of 2017.
How it's made
Van Geenhoven visits farms, often at harvest, and negotiates prices directly with growers in Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Ethiopia, Guatemala and beyond. The coffee is roasted on a customized Probat L12, with air and bean temperatures tracked by software, aiming for a brown-sugar sweetness in the cup.
Our featured pick
Keynote Coffee Beans (12OZ)
$24.50
A special blend of Brazilian coffees optimized for consistency from multiple amazing farmers throughout the Capricornio network of producers!
For me, it's the human connection that matters and I appreciate the value chain and the need to sustain it.
Why we carry them
We like supporting a Bay Area roaster that works this closely with its farmers. The beans make a sweet, balanced cup for everyday brewing.
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