Little Waves Coffee Roasters is an award-winning, impact-driven coffee roastery that operates as the wholesale and roasting arm of Cocoa Cinnamon. Founded in 2010 by Areli Barrera Grodski and Leon Grodski Barrera in North Carolina's mountains, the company developed in Durham starting in 2011 as bikeCOFFEE, eventually establishing three Cocoa Cinnamon retail locations in 2013, 2016, and 2017, with their roasting facility opening at their Lakewood location in June 2017. The company is distinguished as a Latina co-owned, women-forward business that prioritizes relationship sourcing and micro-roasting of select coffees from around the world. They operate with a strong commitment to sustainability, using a Loring S15 Falcon roaster that achieves an 80% reduction in energy usage compared to traditional roasters. Their coffee bags are 60% compostable, and they divert coffee chaff to local community gardens while composting nearly all waste to local farms. Little Waves Coffee Roasters earned recognition as the 2022 Roast Magazine Micro Roaster of the Year and has been featured in numerous prestigious publications and media outlets, including Apple TV's "Omnivore" docuseries co-created by Noma Chef René Redzepi. The company operates three award-winning brick-and-mortar Cocoa Cinnamon shops in Durham, each with unique designs that celebrate the history, colors, textures, and stories of coffee, chocolate, and tea. Their approach centers on making "small, determined reverberations" through sourcing, roasting, and brewing, adding open-hearted energy to uncover and uphold the beauty of coffee and life. They integrate personal narratives into their offerings, naming roasts and drinks after places of cultural significance and people they admire. The company is driven by sustainability in all operations, from relationship building to energy usage, and strives to honor people, places, cultures, and histories through every decision they make.
2010
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Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$21.25 · $1.77/oz
Toffee • Candied Orange
Amor Prohibido is Little Waves' sweet house blend with toffee and candied orange in a full-bodied cup that loves milk drinks. Durham-roasted from rotating American coffees, it is the Cocoa Cinnamon café favorite for everyday chocolatey comfort.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$15.50 · $4.39/oz
Varieties
Pink Starburst • Rum Punch • Tamarind
Ana María Donneys Azafrán is Little Waves' natural anaerobic Caturra from Finca La Paloma in Quindío, Colombia. Pink Starburst, rum punch, and tamarind in a vivid Colombian cup from Café Primitivo's tribute lot.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$18.25 · $5.17/oz
Varieties
Strawberry Yogurt • Magnolia • Pink Lady Apple • Papaya
Pink Ranger is Ana María Donneys' honey anaerobic Pink Bourbon and Caturra from Finca La Primavera in Quindío. Strawberry yogurt, magnolia, Pink Lady apple, and papaya finish in a research-driven Colombian lot from Little Waves.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$23.25 · $1.94/oz
Varieties
Honey Crisp Apple • Milk Chocolate • Nougat • Lemon
Atitlán Washed is Little Waves' community lot from AproCafé Atitlán on Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. Honey crisp apple, milk chocolate, nougat, and lemon aftertaste in a washed cup from organic-certified growers around the lake.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$20.75 · $1.73/oz
Cinnamon Sugar • Apple Cider • Milk Chocolate
Bella Vista Mayan Harvest Women's Group is Little Waves' single origin from Mexico's Chiapas mountains, grown by the Mayan Harvest Women's Group. Expect cinnamon sugar, apple cider, and milk chocolate in a cup shaped by women producers.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$23.00 · $1.92/oz
Varieties
Caramel • Grapefruit Pulp • Peach O'Rings
Black Condor is Little Waves' medium washed Colombia from Emmanuel Enciso and Gaitania producers in Tolima. Caramel, grapefruit pulp, and peach o'rings in a sweet, flexible cup sourced with Forest Coffee.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$19.25 · $36.38/oz
Lingonberry • Cinnamon • Toasted Pistachio • Eucalyptus
Coffee racemosa Natural is Little Waves' rare species lot from Colette Tracy on South Africa's Elephant Coast. Lingonberry, cinnamon, toasted pistachio, and eucalyptus in micro retail bags of a climate-resilient, low-caffeine coffee.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$20.75 · $1.73/oz
Varieties
Stonefruit • Molasses • Nutty
Condor Decaf is Little Waves' sugarcane EA Colombia from Elias and Shady Bayter at El Vergel Estate in Tolima. Stonefruit, molasses, and a nutty aftertaste in a caffeine-free Single Origin — never typed as Decaf.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$22.50 · $1.88/oz
Dinkinesh Worka Chelbessa is Little Waves' washed Ethiopia from Neguesse Debela's SNAP sites in Gedeb, Yirgacheffe. A delicate southern Gedeo lot that blends traditional underwater and dry fermentation before raised-bed drying.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$20.50 · $1.71/oz
Milk Chocolate • Apricot • Caramel
Don't Forget to Look at the Moon is Little Waves' sweet medium-bodied blend with milk chocolate, apricot, and caramel. A Roaster of the Year entry blend of rotating Peru and Ethiopia components, Durham-roasted for everyday wonder.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$22.00 · $6.24/oz
Varieties
Rose • Hibiscus • Watermelon • Lychee • Citrusy • Velvety
Edwin Noreña's Black Honey Gesha is Little Waves' competition-series Colombia from Finca Campo Hermoso. Rose, hibiscus, watermelon, and lychee in a carbonic-maceration lactic black honey Gesha from Durham.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$22.00 · $6.24/oz
Varieties
Lavender • Peach Tea • Mango Nectar • Pineapple • Lychee • Yakult
Edwin Noreña's Black Honey Sidra is Little Waves' competition-series Colombia from Campo Hermoso. Lavender, peach tea, mango nectar, pineapple, lychee, and yakult in a lactic black honey Bourbon Sidra lot.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$22.00 · $6.24/oz
Varieties
Coconut Cream • Piña Colada • Key Lime Pie • Kiwi • Peach Candy
Edwin Noreña's Black Honey Sudan Rume Enigma Hops is Little Waves' competition-series Colombia co-fermented with Enigma hops. Coconut cream, piña colada, key lime pie, kiwi, and peach candy in a sweet Campo Hermoso lot.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$24.00 · $2.00/oz
Varieties
Peach • Clover Honey • Pineapple Cookie • Clove
Fugi Ikizere Women is Little Waves' washed Rwanda from 115 smallholder women at Baho's Fugi Station. Peach, clover honey, pineapple cookie, and clove in a Medium-Light roast honoring the Ikizere confidence project.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$34.25 · $19.42/oz
Varieties
Coffee Blossoms • Lemon Tea • Honey • Peach • Golden Apple
Hacienda La Esmeralda Washed Gesha Especial Lino 3 FB is Little Waves' Panama microlot from Cañas Verdes. Coffee blossoms, lemon tea, honey, peach, and golden apple in 50 g and 100 g retail bags of a legendary Gesha farm.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$21.50 · $1.79/oz
Caramel • Toffee • Chocolate • Cinnamon
Jaguar is Little Waves' sunny blend of natural Mexico, washed Colombia, and washed Ethiopia. Caramel, toffee, chocolate, and cinnamon with vibrant acidity — Durham-roasted to taste like the sun in espresso or pour over.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$24.50 · $2.04/oz
Varieties
Caramel • Green Apple • Pear • Cinnamon • Honey
Kinmuga Peaberry is Little Waves' washed Papua New Guinea from Sigri Estate smallholders in the Waghi Valley. Caramel, green apple, pear, cinnamon, and honey in a peaberry cup sourced with Benchmark Coffee Traders.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$20.75 · $1.73/oz
Sweet Cinnamon • Fudge
Los Toros is Little Waves' Bella Vista community lot from Chiapas, Mexico, after six years with Rosalba Cifuentes. Sweet cinnamon and fudge with a creamy full body — versatile as espresso, French press, or batch brew.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$19.25 · $5.46/oz
Varieties
Green Apple • Blood Orange • Raspberry Candy
María Deya Camacho's Pink Bourbon Honey is Little Waves' first-place Condor Huila Graduation Auction lot from Acevedo. Green apple, blood orange, and raspberry candy in a women-produced honey Colombia.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$17.75 · $10.06/oz
Varieties
Maraschino Cherry • Grape Gummy Bears • Kiwi • Pineapple Turnover Cake
Mauricio Shattah's Maragogype Nuruk is Little Waves' nitrogen-flushed anaerobic natural from Finca La Negrita in Tolima. Maraschino cherry, grape gummy bears, kiwi, and pineapple turnover cake in a rare competition nano lot.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$20.50 · $1.71/oz
Peaches And Cream • Lemon Meringue • White Chocolate
Mokha Java is Little Waves' creamy blend inspired by the classic Yemen-and-Java idea, currently 50% Bolivia and 50% Ethiopia. Peaches and cream, lemon meringue, and white chocolate for black cups or milk drinks.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$23.25 · $1.94/oz
Varieties
Plum • Blackberry • Praline • Angel Food Cake
Mujeres Divinas is Little Waves' washed Colombia from Condor Huila Project women smallholders. Plum, blackberry, praline, and angel food cake in a versatile everyday lot aligned with quality, relationship, and impact.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$26.25 · $2.19/oz
Varieties
Yellow Apple • Fig • Dried Pineapple
Ntwari II is Little Waves' light natural Bourbon from women farmers working with JNP Coffee in Burundi. Yellow apple, fig, and dried pineapple in a courage-named lot processed at a women-owned wet mill.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$25.75 · $2.15/oz
Varieties
Mixed Berries • Dried Pineapple • Green Grape • Caramel
Pedro Isaías Gonzalez Natural is Little Waves' Lake Atitlán Guatemala lot named for AproCafé's co-chair. Mixed berries, dried pineapple, green grape, and caramel in a sweet natural association selection.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$20.00 · $1.67/oz
Nutella • Madagascar Vanilla • Cherry
Positive Pressure is Little Waves' full, creamy house blend currently 40% PNG, 30% Colombia, and 30% Ethiopia. Nutella, Madagascar vanilla, and cherry in a Durham-roasted everyday bag for espresso or filter.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$20.50 · $1.71/oz
Dark Chocolate • Molasses • Nutty
Royal 7 is Little Waves' first dark roast blend of American coffees, honoring Durham's Royal Ice Cream sit-in seven. Dark chocolate, molasses, and nutty flavor with a full mouthfeel, with proceeds supporting Feed Durham.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$21.75 · $1.81/oz
Chocolatey
St. Al's Cold Brew Blend is Little Waves' deep, rich, low-acid cold brew bag — a 50/50 Peru and Colombia blend for Toddy brewing. Full-bodied and chocolatey whole bean, not a liquid concentrate.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$28.75 · $8.15/oz
Varieties
Candied Lemon • Papaya • Dried Mango • White Florals • Tea-Like
Río Dulce Gesha is Little Waves' STANDART collab washed Gesha from José Julián Giraldo at Café 1959 in Quindío. Candied lemon, papaya, dried mango, and white florals in a tea-like Colombian Gesha.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$31.50 · $2.63/oz
Summer Wine is Little Waves' end-of-summer blend of co-fermented, honey, and washed Colombias. Juicy, complex, and full of summer energy — Durham-roasted for espresso or a lively pour over.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$21.00 · $1.75/oz
Strawberry Jam • Waffle Cone • Chocolate Cake
Ternura on /products/ternura is Little Waves' Fellow-tagged blend of seasonal American coffees. Strawberry jam, waffle cone, and chocolate cake in a syrupy 12 oz whole-bean bag — kept separate from ternura-1.
Little Waves Coffee Roasters • Durham, NC
$24.75 · $2.06/oz
Varieties
Pear • Raspberry • Green Grape • Hazelnut
Tierra de Mi Padre Mujeres de Cofradía y Malinal is Little Waves' natural Mexico from women producers in Nayarit. Pear, raspberry, green grape, and hazelnut in a seventh-year rooted lot from Areli's father's state.