In the vibrant neighborhood of Ocean Beach, San Diego, a new café is redefining the coffee experience by introducing locals to a rare and distinctive coffee variety: Excelsa. Excelsa Coffee Company has unveiled the Excelsa Café, the first U.S. establishment exclusively dedicated to serving 100% Excelsa coffee.
A Rare Coffee Experience
Excelsa coffee, a variety of the Liberica species, is seldom found in mainstream coffee culture, accounting for a mere 7% of global coffee production.
Known for its unique flavor profile, Excelsa offers a tart and fruity body with notes reminiscent of light roasts, yet it also possesses deep, roasty undertones.
This complexity provides a novel tasting experience for coffee aficionados seeking something beyond the familiar Arabica and Robusta beans.
The Visionaries Behind Excelsa Café
The inception of Excelsa Café stems from the passion of co-founders Michael Mazzotta and Olin Patterson. Mazzotta, a commercial real estate broker, sought a smoother, less anxiety-inducing coffee alternative and discovered the naturally half-caffeinated Excelsa bean. Sharing this find with his friend Patterson, an expert in consumer packaged goods, ignited a shared mission to bring this lesser-known coffee to a broader audience.
A Café Like No Other
Located at 1855 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, the 350-square-foot Excelsa Café offers an ambiance that transports visitors to the heart of a Nicaraguan coffee farm. The interior features exposed wooden rafters and walls adorned with jute coffee sacks and photographs depicting Excelsa production and processing. This unfinished aesthetic symbolizes the ongoing journey of introducing Excelsa to the world, inviting customers to participate in its evolving story.
Beyond the Café: A Commitment to Sustainability
Excelsa Coffee Company's dedication extends beyond serving exceptional coffee. The company operates its own farm in Nicaragua, cultivating Excelsa plants and fostering a global network to support Excelsa production. Notably, Excelsa is resilient to climate change, offering hope for sustainable coffee cultivation amidst environmental challenges.
Join the Excelsa Journey
For those in San Diego or planning a visit, Excelsa Café provides an opportunity to explore a unique coffee variety that challenges conventional tastes. Whether you're a seasoned coffee lover or a curious newcomer, the Excelsa experience promises to broaden your coffee horizons.
Visit Excelsa Café
- Address: 1855 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
- Website:
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Embark on a coffee adventure that transcends the ordinary and discover the distinctive flavors of Excelsa at San Diego's newest coffee destination.