“Coffee from an alternate dimension.” That’s how some describe the unique experience awaiting you at Stumptown. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, though the provided material focuses on the broader company, I want to paint a picture for you.
Stumptown began its journey in 1999. Duane Sorenson founded it in Portland. It quickly gained recognition as a leader within the third wave of coffee.
Imagine Duane Sorenson himself. He is meticulously sourcing beans. He traveled to coffee farms. He paid premium prices. Sometimes, he paid three or four times the fair trade value. He even set a record for the highest price ever paid for coffee beans.
Stumptown values direct trade. The company builds long-term relationships with producers. Stumptown pays prices tied to quality. They ensure transparency. They invest in collaborative partnerships.
Close your eyes for a moment. Breathe in deeply through your nose. Can you smell it? It is the most complex thing humans consume. Notes of orange or hints of clove linger in the air. Stumptown shares components with flowers and fruits.
Stumptown’s coffee team spends about half the year in coffee-producing countries. They meet with their producer partners. They visit farms and mills. They also visit cupping labs.
They work with producers on four continents. The producers speak at least 30 different languages. Some use traditional methods. Some invested in modern equipment.
Stumptown pioneered direct trade. Since 2002, the industry has changed. Others adopted similar approaches. Stumptown invests in relationships with suppliers. In 2019, 91 percent of their coffees came from relationships lasting three or more years.
Consider the Bourbon variety. It is sweet, complex, and delicate. Think of it as the pinot noir of coffee. The Villalobos variety is delicate and floral. It can be citrusy. It offers flavors of stone fruit. Ethiopian Heirloom varieties are a mystery. Gesha offers a complex flavor like Szechuan peppercorns.
Ten thousand years ago, Coffea trees grew wild in Ethiopia. Today, Stumptown brings that heritage to you. They transform beans into something special.
Stumptown hopes that each cup transports you. It is the result of a complex process. It started thousands of miles away. It was tweaked and refined for your enjoyment.