Kuma Coffee is a Seattle-based specialty coffee roastery that began in 2008 when founder Peter Mark Ingalls started roasting coffee in his garage with a singular passion for finding excellent coffee, roasting it carefully, and delivering exceptional quality to customers. The name "Kuma," meaning bear in Japanese, reflects the company's straightforward approach focused on what matters most - the delicious taste of coffee inside the package, not flashy marketing. What started as one person's garage operation has grown into a respected 4-person team that has gained nationwide recognition for their unwavering commitment to quality. Based in Seattle, Washington, Kuma Coffee operates from their roastery at 3401 Thorndyke Ave W, where they offer local pickup Monday through Thursday from 10am to 5pm. Kuma Coffee distinguishes itself through direct sourcing relationships with coffee farmers around the world, particularly in Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, and Ethiopia. They are deeply committed to paying fair prices to farmers - typically around three times fair trade pricing, averaging $3.54 per pound FOB for their Colombian coffees. This ethical approach ensures farmers can support their families and invest in their crops, knowing they have a reliable buyer for years to come. The company's sourcing philosophy centers on building lasting relationships with coffee producers. For Colombian coffees, they work with Azahar to access the best microlots from regions including Nariño, Tolima, Huila, and Antioquia. Their annual sourcing trips involve extensive cupping sessions and farm visits, where they meet farmers and their families, tour their properties, and share meals together. In Guatemala, Kuma has maintained a six-year partnership with Bella Vista mill in Antigua, sourcing coffees from the volcanic soil regions of Antigua, Huehuetenango, and Cobán. Their Kenyan coffees, which helped establish Kuma's early reputation, come through Dorman's Coffees in Nairobi, featuring the distinctive bright, fruity profiles from the Nyeri region that taste remarkably like berry and tropical fruit juices. For Ethiopian coffees, while direct sourcing proves challenging due to the consolidation process of small family producers, Kuma partners with Trabocca, a trusted importing company that maintains relationships with cooperatives and washing stations throughout the Yirgacheffe region. The company offers an extensive range of single-origin coffees, blends, and espresso offerings, along with comprehensive brewing guides and educational content. Their commitment to transparency extends to detailed descriptions of their sourcing methods, processing techniques, and the stories behind each coffee they offer. Under Peter Mark Ingalls' continued leadership as owner and roaster, Kuma Coffee maintains its original mission of delivering excellent coffee while building meaningful relationships throughout the coffee supply chain, from farm to cup.
2008
Report a correction · Sources and methodology
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$19.50 · $1.63/oz
Berries • Florals • Citrus • Tropical
Bright Blend is Kuma Coffee's East African house blend of washed Ethiopian and Kenyan lots. Berries, florals, citrus, and tropical fruit with soft acidity — a staff favorite for espresso or filter.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$19.50 · $1.63/oz
Caramel • Chocolate • Stonefruit • Honey
Classic is Kuma Coffee's iconic house blend of fresh-crop Central and South American washed coffees. Caramel, chocolate, stone fruit, and honey in a medium everyday cup for espresso or filter.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$27.00 · $2.25/oz
Varieties
Black Cherry • Toasted Marshmallow • Nutmeg
Costa Rica Black Honey Don Mayo is a Leon Cortez microlot from Costa Rica's Bonilla family, black-honey processed Catuai grown at high elevation. Black cherry, toasted marshmallow, and nutmeg shine in this medium-light cup roasted carefully in Seattle.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$25.00 · $2.08/oz
Dark Chocolate • Blackberry Jam • Red Apple
Decaf Ethiopia Natural Suke Quto is Kuma Coffee's Swiss Water decaf natural from Tesfaye Bekele in Guji. Dark chocolate, blackberry jam, and red apple in a medium cup that keeps the fruit.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$27.00 · $2.25/oz
Varieties
Nectarine • Bergamot • Watermelon
Ethiopia Gotiti is Kuma Coffee's washed lot from the Gotiti washing station in Yirgacheffe, where hundreds of smallholders deliver cherry. Nectarine, bergamot, and watermelon in a medium-light cup roasted in Seattle.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$19.50 · $1.63/oz
Varieties
Raspberry • Black Tea • Sugar • Mango
Ethiopia Guji is Kuma Coffee's house washed Ethiopian from Guji smallholders. Raspberry, black tea, sugar, and mango with floral aromatics in an easy-drinking medium-light cup.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$27.00 · $2.25/oz
Varieties
Boysenberry • Gummy Worms • Lilac
Ethiopia Natural Bookkisa is Kuma Coffee's natural from the Sawana drying station in Shakiso, Guji, built from cherries of about thirty Bookkisa smallholders. Boysenberry, gummy worms, and lilac in a medium-light cup roasted in Seattle.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$25.00 · $2.08/oz
Varieties
Rainier Cherries • Chocolate Milkshake • Coca-Cola
Guatemala Finca Rosma is Kuma Coffee's washed Huehuetenango Bourbon from Fredy Morales Jr. Rainier cherries, chocolate milkshake, and Coca-Cola in a medium-light Guatemalan cup roasted in Seattle.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$23.50 · $1.96/oz
Varieties
Dark Chocolate • Fruit Punch • Honeycomb
Guatemala Hunapu is Kuma Coffee's washed Antigua Red Bourbon from smallholders on Agua Volcano, milled at Bella Vista. Dark chocolate, fruit punch, and honeycomb in a medium-light cup.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$24.50 · $2.04/oz
Varieties
Napa Cabernet • Blackberries • Heavy Cream
Kenya Gatomboya is Kuma Coffee's washed peaberry from the Barichu Cooperative's Gatomboya factory in Nyeri. Napa Cabernet, blackberries, and heavy cream in a velvety, structured Kenyan cup.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$19.50 · $1.63/oz
Hot Chocolate • Marshmallows
Momma Bear is Kuma Coffee's half-caff house blend — equal parts decaf Costa Rica Tierras Ticas and Guatemala Hunapu. Hot chocolate and marshmallows in a sweet, all-day comfort cup from Seattle.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$22.50 · $1.88/oz
Single Origin Espresso Roasters Choice is Kuma Coffee's rotating weekly single-origin espresso pick — a washed Central or South American lot chosen for sweetness and clean extraction. Medium-light roast from Seattle.
Kuma Coffee • Seattle, WA
$19.50 · $1.63/oz
Chocolate • Berries • Grape
Sun Bear is Kuma Coffee's cold-coffee blend of Central American and African washed lots. Chocolate, berries, and grape with floral sweetness — built for iced flash brew, cold brew, or hot filter.