Ohori's Coffee Roasters

Ohori's Coffee Roasters was established in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with its founding roots tracing back to 1974 or 1984, depending on internal records, by Susan Ohori. The company operates as a family-owned business and has maintained a consistent presence in the region for over four decades. By positioning itself within the lineage of Alfred Peet, the roastery emphasizes a foundational approach to coffee that prioritizes traditional roasting techniques over modern industry trends.

The roastery is situated in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, where it performs its production at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet above sea level. This high-altitude environment is a central component of their identity, as the company markets its process as 'high-altitude roasting.' This specific atmospheric condition influences the thermodynamics of the roasting process, a factor the company has refined over its long tenure in the Santa Fe market.

Ohori's is primarily recognized for its specialization in dark roast coffee, a hallmark of the second-wave coffee movement. Their catalog includes more than 30 distinct offerings, ranging from single-origin beans and organic selections to house-developed blends and decaffeinated options. The company maintains a philosophy of roasting by hand in small batches, focusing on consistency and the development of roast profiles that they believe honor the inherent characteristics of the green coffee.

Beyond its production facility, the company operates multiple retail coffee shops within Santa Fe. These locations serve as the primary interface for their customers, offering a range of espresso-based drinks, brewed coffee, and tea. The brand has cultivated a reputation as a local institution, often cited by residents as a staple of the Santa Fe coffee scene due to its longevity and the 'old-school' atmosphere of its physical cafes.

In terms of sourcing and transparency, the company emphasizes the selection of coffees based on character and integrity. While they offer a variety of organic-certified coffees, their public-facing narrative focuses heavily on the craft of the roast itself rather than specific farm-level supply chain details or direct-trade certifications. Their business model remains focused on the local market, supported by an e-commerce platform that allows for national distribution of their roasted products.

Today, Ohori's Coffee Roasters stands as a representative of the enduring influence of second-wave roasting practices in the United States. By eschewing rapid expansion and focusing on a consistent, hand-roasted product, they have maintained their status as a legacy brand in New Mexico. Their story is one of regional continuity, emphasizing the role of the roaster as a craftsman who provides a reliable, traditional product to a dedicated local customer base.