OUR BEGINNING
As one of the winners of Shift Capital’s Kensington Avenue Storefront Challenge, Càphê Roasters set out to help revitalize the Kensington neighborhood through coffee. Founded in 2018 by Raymond John, CEO of the nonprofit 12+, and Thu Pham, a Vietnamese American raised in Philadelphia, Càphê Roasters is the city’s first and only Vietnamese specialty coffee roaster. We source coffee primarily from Vietnam, as well as other Southeast and East Asian regions. Our mission is to bring communities together—echoing the Vietnamese expression “đi uống cà phê,” meaning “let’s get coffee,” a phrase that signifies connection and community.
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 significant portion of our profits are donated to 12 Plus, a Philadelphia education non-profit that partners with public high schools across Philadelphia and Camden to increase educational equity. Càphê employ students and alumni from 12 Plus' partner schools and offer them a workspace that fosters a learning culture that focuses on personal and professional development. We also 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.