Happy Birthday to Our Visionary Co-Founder: Celebrating Sam Sepulveda and love for nature legacy.
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Today, October 8th, is a very special day for the entire 787 Coffee team. We're honored to celebrate the birthday of our incredible co-founder, Sam Sepulveda! On behalf of every barista, every farmer, and every "Caffeinated Human" who enjoys our coffee, we extend our warmest wishes to Sam as he marks this important milestone.
Sam is much more than a co-founder; he's a true pioneer, a dedicated mentor, and the heart of so much that makes 787 Coffee special. From the sky as a captain for United Airlines, to the soil of Hacienda Iluminada, his passion for excellence and profound respect for the land are evident in every single bean.
Sam's Impact: How a Passion for Coffee & Agriculture Shapes Your Cup
What truly sets 787 Coffee apart? It's the unparalleled expertise and relentless dedication of humans like Sam. For coffee lovers who seek quality and sustainability, Sam's contributions are invaluable.
1. The Coffee Master: A Q Grader & CQI Instructor
When we say "specialty coffee," Sam Sepulveda is one of the reasons we mean it. He is a certified CQI Instructor and a highly respected Q Grader and a Post-Harvest Processing Arabica & Robusta Professional . What does that mean for your cup?
Q Grader: Sam is one of the elite few in the world certified to professionally grade and assess the quality of coffee, ensuring our beans meet the highest standards for flavor, aroma, and consistency.
SCA CVA for Cuppers: Sam holds the SCA CVA for Cuppers certification, solidifying his expertise in coffee tasting. This means our coffee isn't just "good"; it's meticulously evaluated for complex flavors like dark chocolate, caramel, and a smooth finish.
This deep knowledge ensures that whether you're enjoying the best latte in our NYC coffee shops, a perfect V60 pour over in El Paso, or brewing our single-origin coffee at home, you're experiencing truly exceptional quality.
2. Pioneering Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Farming at Hacienda Iluminada
Sam's love for agriculture is deeply rooted in our Puerto Rico coffee farm, Hacienda Iluminada. His vision has transformed our farm into a model of sustainability and eco-friendliness.
Contour Planting: Sam introduced innovative contour planting techniques, which significantly reduce soil erosion and improve water retention, protecting the precious ecosystem of our mountains.
Reducing Waste: From repurposing coffee cherry pulp as natural fertilizer to minimizing water usage, Sam champions processes that dramatically reduce waste throughout our cultivation and processing. This commitment is central to our Farm-to-Cup philosophy.
This means every bag of coffee you buy directly supports responsible farming that nurtures the land and future generations.
3. Cultivating Community & Inspiring Excellence
Sam's influence extends far beyond agricultural practices. He instills a culture of learning and passion within the 787 Coffee team. His journey from a captain for United Airlines to a coffee farmer and educator is a testament to his dedication. This commitment translates into:
Expert Baristas: The expertise trickles down, ensuring our baristas craft the best cappuccino and best latte with precision and care in every top cafe.
A Welcoming Vibe: His leadership helps create the warm, inviting community spirit that defines every 787 Coffee shop.
Celebrate with Us!
Today, we honor Sam's unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and the profound impact he has had on our team and the entire specialty coffee industry. His vision ensures that our Puerto Rican coffee stands among the best coffee in the world.
Join us in celebrating Sam's birthday!
Shop Online: Experience Sam's dedication directly. Buy our single-origin coffee beans online and taste the difference of true Farm-to-Cup quality.
Visit Our Shops: Find the best coffee shop near me in NYC, El Paso, or Puerto Rico and raise a cup (or a best latte!) to Sam.
Tour Hacienda Iluminada: Sam loves sharing the farm! Book a tour of Hacienda Iluminada in Puerto Rico to see his innovative agricultural practices firsthand and walk the fields where your coffee journey begins.
Happy Birthday, Sam! Here's to many more years of incredible coffee and inspiring leadership!
Sam's commitment to the land and the people at Hacienda Iluminada goes far beyond standard farming. He has introduced several key innovations that ensure the unparalleled quality of our single-origin coffee while building a thriving environment.
First, Sam recognizes that the highest quality comes from a dedicated workforce, which is why he prioritized having a consistent team of humans—our cherished coworkers—who bring generations of expertise and passion to every harvest. Second, he innovated with shade planting, creating a natural canopy that slows the maturation of the coffee cherry, which concentrates flavor and supports a rich, thriving animal ecosystem on the farm. Finally, his ultimate vision is not just a farm, but building an entire eco-system that prioritizes biodiversity, minimizes waste, and ensures every step, from bean to cup, is conducted with respect for nature, making our beans the most sustainably grown and best coffee you can buy.
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Ready to Find Your Local 787 Coffee Shop?
Google 787 Coffee and find your nearest location and experience the true Farm-to-Cup journey in your neighborhood.
Can't make it to a shop? Order our coffee beans online and bring the taste of Puerto Rico and the Americas right to your kitchen.
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