|
|
Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia by an Abyssinian goat herder named Kaladi sometime around the 9th Century. One day, while Kaladi was tending to his goats, he grew tired and decided to take a nap. He later awoke to find his goats dancing gleefully in the field. The next day Kaladi decided to investigate what it was that caused his goats to behave so strangely. He followed his goats which eve ntually led him to a shrub bearing red cherry-like fruit. The goats began to eat the fruit and shortly after began jumping and dancing about once again. Kaladi curiously consumed the cherries and experienced the same elation displayed by his goats. This magical discovery spread and compelled many to create foods and beverages using the fruit - coffee being one of them.
1109 years later, Portola Handcrafted Coffee Roasters emerged in Irvine to bring much needed world-class coffee to the residents of Orange County based on simple, unadulterated principles... the most stringent selection of the finest organic beans from estates and co-ops around the world... the most intimate micro-roasting process that sacrifices nothing, not ever... and the highest freshness standard in Orange County - and quite possibly anywhere in the country. No gimmicks, no frills, no lofty claims. But we'd rather let the taste speak for itself.
The founder and roastmaster, Jeff Duggan, developed his palate for coffee and his need for its "Kaladian" benefits during college in the early 90's. As a student of chemistry, Jeff's inherent intrigue and curiosity always led to a compulsive knowledge-seeking journey to understand the "how's" and "why's"... and the coffee bean was no exception. Comprehending the concepts of volatile aromatic compounds, pyrolysis, and the process of oxidation, it only made sense that he seek out the fresh-roasted coffee. Fresh simply tastes better. For a while, he sought beans from his favorite roasters, but that didn't last long. With this passion for amazing coffee, coupled with his inability to refrain from undertaking anything new that sounded interesting, he decided to venture into the realm of craft coffee roasting. A little trial and error, a lot of studying, watching, learning, and experimenting - with a little luck thrown in from time to time - and Jeff eventually honed his skills to the point of mastering what it took to get it right...time, after time, after time. But that is not the only reason why Portola coffee simply tastes better. Even though his academic background would qualify him as a "propeller head," it is the artistry and creativity that Jeff pours into each and every micro-batch he roasts that gives his coffee character, personality, and quite frankly, a flavor that is nothing short of addicting. In 2009, Portola Handcrafted Coffee Roasters emerged in Irvine. ..and the Orange County coffee culture was born.
Passion...the root of all our handcrafted coffees. What began as our roastmaster's personal endeavor to achieve coffee nirvana has blossomed into a cause of much greater importance - that is to introduce everyone to quality small-batch roasted coffee and to share in its remarkable fresh-roast taste. Based in Irvine, Portola appreciates the demand for coffee of this caliber not only locally, but throughout Orange County and abroad.
Terroir [teh-RWAHR]... a French term used in the phrase gout de terroir ("taste of the soil") to describe the diversity of origin characteristics bestowed upon the wine grapes of the same variety. This term is every bit as applicable to fine coffee and the unique flavors it develops from such influences as soil, climate condition, and farming techniques - all contributing to the unique flavors in the cup. Coffee is essentially a collage of flavors that come together to form the individual coffee identity - nature's fingerprint.
Handcrafted...as blissful as these origin flavors may be, they are delicate, finicky, fickle, and elusive. Highlighting and preserving these characteristics is something never to be taken lightly - at least if you like drinking amazing coffee. It is our purpose, drive, passion, obsession, and fanaticism to keep our batches small and our process intimate. Our roasting process is unique, custom, and absolutely coaxes the best flavors out of each bean variety we offer. It is not quick – often tedious – and requires a fanatic attention to detail... In an industry full of compromise...some roasters don't! That is the Portola difference.
|
|