What We Brought Home from Houston
Hey friends,
In April, Luci and I flew out to Houston for the Specialty Coffee Association Expo—the biggest coffee event in North America. Imagine hundreds of roasters, growers, and coffee nerds (us included) all in one place, swapping stories, sharing brews, and geeking out over the future of coffee.
New Friends, New Stories: Rama from Sumatra
We had the chance to connect with Rama Aulia Saputra, General Manager of the Sumatra Permata Gayo Cooperative. Based in Aceh, Indonesia, Rama oversees a co-op of over 2,000 coffee farmers across 39 villages. He walked us through the unique challenges of growing and processing coffee in Sumatra, and we talked about everything from fermentation techniques to farmer support. It was a solid exchange of ideas, and we’re looking forward to staying in touch.
Luci Took the Mic (and Nailed It)
One of the coolest moments? Watching Luci speak to a packed room of producers about what small roasters like us really value—things like transparency, consistency, and long-term relationships. She crushed it. More than a talk, it was a reminder that better coffee starts with better partnerships.
Coming Soon: Direct Trade from Mexico
While we were there, we made something official—our first-ever direct trade partnership with a women-led coffee farm in Mexico. We met the farmers, tasted the coffee, and connected on a deeper level than we ever could over email.
And the coffee? Bright, clean, and packed with flavor. Look out for a limited release later this summer—we’re stoked to share it with you.
Why This Trip Matters
Everything we saw, learned, and tasted is coming back with us to Humboldt. It’s shaping how we roast, who we buy from, and what we serve in your cup. Whether you’ve been with us since 2013 or you’re new around here—we’re in this for the long haul.
Thanks for riding with us.
See you in the next cup,
– Julian & Luci
Humboldt Bay Coffee