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Berkeley, California · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Hydrangea Coffee Roasters

Hydrangea Coffee Roasters brand artwork
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Farm & producer level
Visit Hydrangea Coffee Roasters's site

Hydrangea Coffee Roasters is a Berkeley, California-based company that began as a passion project using a small 1kg roaster. The business currently roasts on Loring machines with a focus on highlighting fruit and floral qualities in its coffee. The roastery is documented for its commitment to clarity and vibrant acidity, as well as its frequent use of experimental processing techniques like thermal shock. Each bag of coffee features custom artwork designed to visually represent the flavor profile of the specific lot.

Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Bay Area micro-roastery working tightly sourced single origins, including Finca El Paraiso thermal shock lots.
Sourcing countries
Colombia
Farm-level sourcing
The company publishes detailed information for its offerings, including the specific producer, farm elevation, processing method, and variety, often providing background stories on the farm's history and management.
Notable coffees
  • — Franceschi Washed Gesha
  • — Pink Bourbon - Peach - Finca El Paraiso
  • — Landrace - Natural - Danche
  • — Purple Caturra - Pineapple Washed - Finca Monteblanco
  • — SL28 - Anaerobic Natural - Volcan Azul
Documented coffee offerings

Coffees researched from Hydrangea Coffee Roasters

These are examples recorded during editorial research on Oct 26, 2026. They are not a live product feed. The coffee, lot, price, and availability may have changed. We have not necessarily brewed these coffees ourselves.

Gesha - Washed - CRD Elida Estate, Centro Loma Lot

Elida Estate, Panama · Washed

A high-end Gesha selection from the renowned Elida Estate known for its delicate and complex profile.

Original roaster or listing source

Typica - Anaerobic Washed - Pillcocaja Coffee

Pillcocaja, Ecuador · Anaerobic Washed

This unique Typica variety undergoes an anaerobic fermentation process to highlight vibrant acidity and sweetness.

Original roaster or listing source

Gesha - Natural Mosto RF1D DRD Elida Estate, Loma Lot

Elida Estate, Panama · Natural Mosto

An experimental natural process Gesha featuring intense fruit-forward characteristics and deep sweetness.

Original roaster or listing source

Catimor - Anaerobic Honey - Gaosanlin Coffee Farm

Gaosanlin Coffee Farm, Taiwan · Anaerobic Honey

A distinct Catimor variety processed with anaerobic honey methods to produce a balanced and clean cup.

Original roaster or listing source

Castillo - Rose Tea - Finca El Paraiso

Finca El Paraiso, Colombia · Washed

A floral-forward Castillo variety processed to emphasize delicate rose and tea-like aromatic qualities.

Original roaster or listing source

External customer, cafe, marketplace, and class ratings are not comparable measures of the quality of an individual coffee. We do not convert them into original tasting scores or brand-wide star ratings. Our independent reviews are published separately after a coffee has actually been brewed and evaluated.

Verify original product sources

Retailer information: Hydrangea Coffee Roasters

Documented physical retailers
Historical source note (not live inventory): A coffee shop in Berkeley, California, that carries the brand's coffee bags and/or serves it brewed.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A coffee shop in San Francisco, California, that carries the brand's coffee bags and/or serves it brewed.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A coffee shop in Anaheim, California, that carries the brand's coffee bags and/or serves it brewed.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A coffee shop in Los Angeles, California, that carries the brand's coffee bags and/or serves it brewed.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A coffee shop in Pasadena, California, that carries the brand's coffee bags and/or serves it brewed.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A coffee shop in San Mateo, California, that carries the brand's coffee bags and/or serves it brewed.
Physical
Documented online sources
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official website sells their full range of coffee beans, subscriptions, and brewing accessories.
Website

I verified the brand's own online shop and a list of various partner coffee shops across the United States via their official store locator and find-us-in-stores pages; I could not verify any third-party online marketplaces currently stocking their coffee.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials — last checked Nov 7, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.
In the news

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

2026-09-02 · New York Post
Cult-favorite California coffee roaster rocked by sex harassment suit

The New York Post covered the legal scandal involving Hydrangea Coffee Roasters, noting the brand's reputation as a cult-favorite roaster among specialty coffee enthusiasts. The coverage brings national attention to the allegations of harassment and the company's failure to prevent such conduct.

2026-09-01 · The Daily Californian
Employee sues Berkeley coffee roaster over alleged sexual harassment

The Daily Californian reported on the lawsuit filed by former employee Ashlynne Wike against Hydrangea Coffee Roasters. The article highlights allegations of prolonged harassment and the company's failure to implement necessary workplace safety protocols.

2026-08-28 · SFGATE
Woman sues Berkeley coffee roaster owner for 'hostile work environment,' harassment

A former employee filed a lawsuit against Hydrangea Coffee Roasters and its owner, Bill Li, alleging sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment. The complaint claims the company failed to provide required sexual harassment prevention training and that the owner engaged in unwanted physical contact.

Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-15. 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. Added for the Coffee Innovation directory: verified US seller of Finca El Paraiso thermal shock lots from Diego Samuel Bermudez's family project.