About Keffa Coffee
Good people. Great coffee.
Founded in 2006 by Samuel Demisse, Keffa Coffee brings specialty green coffee from origin to roasters across America. We're more than importers—we're partners in quality.
Our Story
Samuel Demisse
Samuel Demisse—three-time U.S. Coffee Tasters Champion and one of the first 325 certified coffee tasters worldwide—founded Keffa Coffee in 2006. With 34 years in the specialty coffee industry and a family tradition stretching back to Ethiopia in 1949, Sam built Keffa from a one-person operation into a business serving 450+ roaster partners across the United States.
Our advantage is straightforward: 19+ years of exclusive partnerships with Ethiopian exporters, paired with Sam's family connections that give us direct access to exceptional lots from producers. Our 19 years as a U.S. importer provide the supply chain reliability and infrastructure you need.
Today, 65% of our annual imports come from Ethiopia, with the remaining 35% featuring select offerings from Guatemala, Indonesia, Peru, and El Salvador. Sam cups at origin before purchase. We visit our producer partners twice yearly and respond to every roaster inquiry within 24 hours.
"When roasters work with us, they get exceptional Ethiopian coffee through relationships my family has maintained since 1949, and the reliability that comes from 19 years as an importer."
The Keffa Difference
Why roasters stay with us
Partner-First Pricing
We absorbed tariff spikes to keep partner pricing stable. Flexible payment terms and no surprise costs—when external costs rise, we look for ways to shield you.
Extended terms for long-term partners. We work with roasters through both certain and uncertain times.
Risk-Free Evaluation
Free samples—green or roasted. We'll chat briefly to match coffees to your menu. Flexible MOQs that match your growth.
Every lot is cupped multiple times. Our Q-grader operates at origin, ensuring quality control before coffee ships.
Reliable Supply Chain
Next-business-day shipping from our U.S. warehouse in Oakland, Baltimore, NJ, Houston, or Seattle. 120 days of free warehousing—buy ahead, we'll hold and ship when you need it.