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Iowa City, IA, Iowa · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Cafe Del Sol

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Cafe Del Sol; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
TagsCafe Del SolIowa coffee roastersPeruGuatemalaIndependentRoasts in-house
Visit Cafe Del Sol's site

Cafe del Sol Roasting is a long-standing Iowa City coffee roaster that utilizes air-roasting technology to produce clean-tasting, organic-certified coffee. Founded by Stephen Dunham, the company focuses on sustainable sourcing and maintains a wholesale operation that supplies various local grocers and cafes. They are recognized for their commitment to organic practices and their longevity in the Iowa specialty coffee scene.

Ownership
Cafe del Sol Roasting is an independent, family-owned business operated by Stephen Dunham under the corporate entity Taste the World Inc.
Founded
1990
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Being one of the longest-running independent coffee roasters in Iowa, known for its USDA Organic certified, air-roasted coffee beans.
Sourcing countries
Peru · Guatemala
Farm-level sourcing
The brand prioritizes organic certification and works with importers to source beans from socially and environmentally sustainable farms. While they maintain strict records for their organic certification, they do not consistently publish specific farm or producer names for their offerings. Their coffee lineup includes both single-origin roasts and signature blends.
Notable coffees
  • — Peru
  • — Turkish Blend
  • — Decaf Guatemala
Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-23. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. While the brand's website and local coverage confirm their organic certification and air-roasting process, specific details regarding the names of individual farms or washing stations are not publicly disclosed.

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