Skip to main content
Who Makes The
BEST COFFEE
US Brand Directory
Chicago, Illinois · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Four Letter Word

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Four Letter Word; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Farm level
TagsFour Letter WordIllinois coffee roastersColombiaBurundiEcuadorEthiopiaBrazilIndependentFarm levelRoasts in-house
Visit Four Letter Word's site

Four Letter Word is a specialty coffee roaster with a unique international footprint, operating cafes and roasting facilities in both Chicago and Istanbul. The company is dedicated to precision roasting that highlights the natural character and provenance of their beans. They are recognized for their commitment to transparency and building long-term, meaningful relationships with coffee producers.

Ownership
Four Letter Word is an independent coffee company founded by Eylem Ozkaya, Kevin Heisner, and Ria Neri.
Founded
2014
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
The brand is known for its minimalist, quality-driven approach to specialty coffee and its unique dual-roastery presence in Chicago and Istanbul, Turkey.
Sourcing countries
Colombia · Burundi · Ecuador · Ethiopia · Brazil
Farm-level sourcing
The brand emphasizes direct relationships with producers and provides specific details about the farm, region, and processing methods for its single-origin offerings. They focus on sourcing high-quality lots and work closely with partners to support improvements at the origin level.
Notable coffees
  • — Colombia Sidra de Luz (Tarquí)
  • — Burundi Ninga Hill (Muramvya)
  • — Ecuador Juan Peña La Papaya Sidra (Saraguro)
  • — Ethiopia Aricha (Yirgacheffe)
  • — Brazil Matas (São João Do Manhuaçu)
  • — Ethiopia Kebena (Jimma)
In the news

Recent news and media coverage about Four Letter Word, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-19. 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 provides detailed information on specific farms and regions for their coffees, they do not explicitly state the names of individual farmers for every single-origin release.

Your coffee interests. Every section.

Learn something new, follow the people behind your cup, or explore by flavor and tags.