Hidden Gems: Meet Patrick Celaya of Cortez Coffee Roasters

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Celaya.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been deeply immersed in the world of coffee from a young age. My father, Ronald Cortez, founded Cortez Coffee Roasters in 1993 after moving from Costa Rica to Arizona, drawing on his family’s background as coffee farm pickers. He introduced me to the industry at the age of 7, allowing me to assist with packing orders at the roastery. As I grew older, I gained a thorough understanding of the business, including coffee roasting, supply chain management, and marketing.

I established an eCommerce store, cortezcoffee.com, which offers a subscription program for customers to receive fresh coffee directly to their door. Today, I am actively involved in all aspects of the roastery, including the recent acquisition of Finca Amalita, a farm in Costa Rica where my father currently resides and manages experimental coffee production. Our goal is to fully control our supply chain, from farm to cup, in a way that is ethical, and sustainable and prioritizes the needs of farmers, roasters, and customers alike. We are dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for everyone, from professional baristas to casual coffee enthusiasts.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Navigating the coffee industry can be a tricky task, especially during difficult times like the COVID pandemic. We faced a setback when many of our wholesale clients had to cut back, but we quickly adapted by shifting our focus to online sales, ensuring that our customers could still enjoy our coffee in a safe and convenient way. We haven’t looked back since and are continuously working to improve the online shopping experience for our customers by providing fast and fresh coffee.

The future of coffee is sure to bring its own set of challenges, particularly as it relates to climate change. Coffee crops are particularly susceptible to changes in temperature and rainfall, which can result in reduced yields and fluctuating prices. To mitigate these risks, we are investing heavily in managing our own farm so that we have greater control over production and can respond more effectively to industry fluctuations.

We’ve been impressed with Cortez Coffee Roasters, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Cortez Coffee Roasters, our goal is to establish a coffee supply chain that is ethical, sustainable, and of the highest quality, treating farmers, roasters, and customers with equal respect. We strive to create a memorable experience for every individual who enjoys our coffee, whether they’re an award-winning barista or a casual coffee lover.

Our company was founded in 1993 by Ron Cortez, who brought his passion for coffee from his childhood on Costa Rican coffee farms to the United States. We have dedicated the past 30 years to refining our practices and building relationships with like-minded farmers who are committed to sustainability and quality. We understand the challenges faced by coffee farmers and are committed to providing value to our partners through our “More Than Fair” sustainability model, which includes education, funding, and fair pricing for rural farmers.

We source our beans directly from our partner farms, which allows us to offer a wide variety of processing methods and flavor profiles. After importing the beans to Arizona, we perform a thorough quality check and cupping at our in-house lab. Our batches of coffee are roasted and fulfilled just in time to ensure the freshest cup possible for our customers. Our unique Officine Vittoria air-roaster, which we have owned since 2000, allows us to roast coffee in a way that cannot be replicated by modern roasters, resulting in a unique flavor and extremely low smoke production.

Our hand-stamped bags and sleek labels provide all relevant information about the coffee’s origin, including a QR code that links to our website for more details. Our coffee is packaged in re-sealable bags with an added de-gas valve for optimal storage.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Tempe is an incredible place to be, and we are honored to be able to serve our community with delicious coffee. The city is home to a diverse range of people, including students from Arizona State University and professionals from all walks of life.

From scientists and engineers to musicians and artists, we have had the pleasure of meeting and serving people from all backgrounds. It is truly fascinating to hear the unique stories and perspectives of each individual that walks through our doors. The community of Tempe is what makes our city so special, and we are grateful to be a small part of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: CortezCoffee.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortezcoffeeco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CortezCoffee/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cortezcoffee