Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting began in 2012 as a farm-based coffee roasting operation in the foothills above Pajaro Valley. The company was founded to provide income for their farm, with the name "Hidden Fortress" reflecting both their tucked-away location in a hidden canyon and their appreciation for Akira Kurosawa's filmmaking. What started as a small farm operation has grown significantly through the popularity of their market cafe and coffee subscriptions, eventually expanding to include a brick-and-mortar cafe at 877 Cedar Street in Santa Cruz. Their mission centers on highlighting the hard-working farmers who grow coffee while maintaining an unwavering commitment to using only organic, sustainably produced coffee, milk, and other consumables. The company focuses on creating sustainably produced artisan roasted coffee, working diligently to promote small family farm produced organic crops, which they believe is essential for a secure and healthy future for families and communities. A particularly notable aspect of Hidden Fortress's philosophy is their commitment to gender equity in coffee sourcing - at least 25% of their coffee buying budget is dedicated to purchasing from women-owned farms. This initiative helps empower women in the coffee industry, providing them with financial security to invest in their families and communities. They roast organic, ethically sourced coffee in small batches and craft all beverages with organic ingredients and thoughtful attention to detail. The company operates both a physical cafe location and maintains a presence at local farmer's markets, creating spaces to enjoy thoughtfully produced food and drink in pleasant and respectful atmospheres. Their offerings include gift sets, samplers, signature blends, single origin coffees, and subscription services, with a special focus on their Women's Co-op products that support female coffee farmers worldwide.
2012
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Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$20.00 · $1.67/oz
Vanilla • Apricot • Nutty
American Blonde is Hidden Fortress's ultralight blend of South and Central American coffees, creamy and nutty with vanilla and apricot. Santa Cruz–roasted Blonde so delicate varietal notes stay in the cup.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Molasses • Vanilla • Chocolate
Bali Blue Moon is Hidden Fortress's Full City roast from Indonesia, a wet-processed lot with molasses, vanilla, and chocolate. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is the smooth, full-bodied Bali bag beside their dry-processed Kintamani.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$22.00 · $1.83/oz
Chocolate • Hazelnut • Cherry Wine • Dried Peach • Toasted Almond
Brazil Poco Fundo is Hidden Fortress's Full City roast from organic Fair Trade farms in Minas Gerais, with creamy chocolate, hazelnut, cherry wine, and toasted almond. Santa Cruz–roasted for drip or espresso.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$22.00 · $1.83/oz
Vanilla • Pecan Pie • Sweet Orange • Cherry • Dark Chocolate
Colombia Women's Cooperative is Hidden Fortress's Full City roast from an all-women's co-op in northern Colombia, with sweet orange, cherry, pecan pie, and dark chocolate. Santa Cruz–roasted, it finishes with smooth vanilla and cocoa.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$22.00 · $1.83/oz
Milk Chocolate • Apple • Plum
Costa Rica La Amistad is Hidden Fortress's City-plus roast from the La Amistad family estate near Panama, mellow and low-acid with milk chocolate, apple, and plum. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is a smooth breakfast Costa Rica.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$20.00 · $1.67/oz
Decaf Espresso Blend is Hidden Fortress's water-process decaf of their espresso blend, French roasted dark and rich for dense shots with crema. Santa Cruz–roasted 100% Arabica for espresso drinkers who want the house shot without caffeine.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$20.00 · $1.67/oz
Fruit • Orange Zest • Cocoa
Decaf Microfarm Blend is Hidden Fortress's decaf house blend, Full City roasted with earthy sweetness, fruit, orange zest, and cocoa. Santa Cruz–roasted for drip or espresso when you want the signature cup without the jitters.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$22.00 · $1.83/oz
Strawberry • Apricot • Cocoa • Vanilla
Ethiopia Guji Natural is Hidden Fortress's natural from the Guji zone of Sidama, fruit-forward with strawberry, apricot, cocoa, and vanilla. Santa Cruz–roasted to a medium-light City profile for drinkers who want complex fruit without overwhelm.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$22.00 · $1.83/oz
Dried Blueberry • Cherry • Chocolate
Ethiopia Natural Yirgacheffe Konga is Hidden Fortress's City-plus natural from southern Ethiopia, bursting with dried blueberry, cherry, and a rich chocolate finish. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is the berry-forward Yirgacheffe bag for fruit lovers.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Caramel • Cocoa • Strawberry • Plum
Guatamala Huehuetenango Women's is Hidden Fortress's Full City roast from women-owned Huehuetenango farms, semi-sweet with caramel, cocoa, and bright berry. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is a silky Guatemalan cup with cinnamon and plum in the finish.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Fruit
Hidden Fortress Espresso Blend is their house espresso mix of 100% Arabica, Full City roasted for rich crema with fruit and rustic notes from Sumatran and African beans. Santa Cruz–roasted for dense shots with balanced acidity.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Brown Sugar • Banana • Toasted Walnut • Cacao
Honduras Manos de Mujer is Hidden Fortress's City roast from a women's collective farming in harmony with the land, clean and sweet with brown sugar, banana, toasted walnut, and light cacao. Santa Cruz–roasted for an easy afternoon cup.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$20.00 · $1.67/oz
Cacao • Orange • Plum
Loma Prieta Blend is Hidden Fortress's French roast house blend named for the Santa Cruz mountain peak by their roastery café, with deep cacao, orange, and plum. Strong, dark, and full-bodied for drinkers who want a bold daily cup.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Toffee • Caramel • Citrus • Dark Chocolate
Mexico Oaxaca Pluma is Hidden Fortress's French roast from coastal Oaxaca, full-bodied with toffee, caramel, citrus, and dark chocolate. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is the earthy Mexican bag for drinkers who like tropical depth.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$20.00 · $1.67/oz
Fruit • Cocoa
Microfarm Blend is Hidden Fortress's signature house blend from Central and South America, Full City roasted with earthy balance, fruit, and cocoa. Santa Cruz–roasted for drip, pour-over, and French press when you need a crowd-pleasing cup.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Vanilla • Cocoa • Berry
Moka Java Blend is Hidden Fortress's organic take on the classic Africa-meets-Indonesia cup, roasted City-plus with vanilla, cocoa, and berry notes. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is the vibrant house blend for drinkers who want rich body and fruit sweetness.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Almond Butter • Tangerine Zest • Hazelnut • Caramel
Nicaragua San Juan Rio Coco is Hidden Fortress's Full City roast from family farmers in central Nicaragua, with hazelnut, caramel, and tangerine zest. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is a fresh, lively Central American cup with a smooth cocoa finish.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$22.00 · $1.83/oz
Jasmine • Toasted Malt • Milk Chocolate • Mango
Papua New Guinea Chimbu is Hidden Fortress's City-plus roast from the SOAC cooperative in central PNG, with jasmine, toasted malt, milk chocolate, and mango. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is a clean, low-acid bag with surprising depth.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$22.00 · $1.83/oz
Dark Chocolate • Caramelized Pear • Toffee
Peru Cafe De Mujer Women's Co-op is Hidden Fortress's French roast from women-owned Peruvian farms, with dark chocolate, caramelized pear, and a sweet toffee finish. Santa Cruz–roasted for drip, pour-over, or espresso.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$22.00 · $1.83/oz
Passionfruit • Black Sapote • Herbal • Woody
Sumatra Ketiera Women's Co-op is Hidden Fortress's French roast from women-owned Sumatran farms, full-bodied and syrupy with herbal woody hints, passionfruit, and black sapote. Santa Cruz–roasted for pour-over or espresso.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Vanilla • Fig • Meyer Lemon
Uganda Sipi Falls is Hidden Fortress's City-plus roast from Uganda, rustic and winey with vanilla, sweet fig, and Meyer lemon. Santa Cruz–roasted, it is the surprising African bag with good body and bright finish notes.
Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting • Santa Cruz, CA
$20.00 · $1.67/oz
Citrus • Caramel • Dark Chocolate
Women's World Co-op Blend is Hidden Fortress's women-farmed blend from South America, Africa, and Indonesia, a full-bodied dark cup with citrus, caramel, and dark chocolate. Santa Cruz–roasted for drinkers who want a rich co-op house blend.