The term "hand-crafted" and "artisan" have been so overused that I cringe every time I type the words, but there really is no other way to describe Seven Seas' approach to their craft.
For a batch of Seven Seas coffee, specialty-grade beans are hand-picked at small, family-run organic plantations. The beans are sent to San Diego, where an obsessive roast master processes them in small 5 kg batches right in the shop. While the beans roast, he monitors the temperature and the color of the beans, listening for their first crack. He then sorts the still warm coffee by hand to ensure not a single under-roasted bean makes its way through.
The Seven Seas baristas are the final line of defense, customizing their preparations of pour-overs and espressos to best suit the unique flavors and strengths of the brew.
There are many hands involved in a single cup of joe at Seven Seas, and that’s kind of the point.
Relationship-Driven Business
Owner Eric Dobbs, a Navy war veteran, has traveled all over the world and was inspired by the way coffee connects people, both through its production and consumption. His business plan is more akin to a web of relationships than a fiscal spreadsheet.
It all begins with a cup of coffee and a conversation with small producers about growing and harvesting beans that meet the specialty-grade, rather than commodity-grade, standards. By producing higher quality, rather than higher volume, small farmers are able to charge a premium, which in turn has transformed the lives of many of the villagers he works with from South America to Southeast Asia.
Dobbs offers a consistent partnership with these growers, who in turn have enabled him to introduce unique, high-quality coffee varietals from Laos, Vietnam, and Peru, some of which were previously unheard of in the American market.
Some of the Vietnamese beans are offered as limited charity releases, with a portion of the proceeds sent back to the village, in one case to pay for a grower’s daughter to attend medical school. The Spike’s Roast is a partnership with local charity, Spike’s K9 Fund, a veteran-run organization that donates custom-fit ballistics vests to active duty canines.
With a community-focus built into the DNA of this company, it makes sense that they started out as a farmers market booth. At the Little Italy Farmers Market in particular, they forged partnerships with local producers who supply the shop with everything from vegan baked goods to California grape nectar.
A Gathering Place
Laying down roots with a brick and mortar shop in South Park was also a community effort, from the tattoo-inspired nautical theme painted by a local artist to the fresh pastries from nearby Cardamom Cafe. There are plans for community education classes and date nights.
"We want to produce world-class coffee without pretension," Dobbs says. The laid back space and playful menu reflect his welcoming attitude. The employees exude passion without a hint of condescension.
"My mom won't event spring for organic, but this is the kind of place where she would feel comfortable, and after a cup of coffee she’d say, 'wow, that's really good!' which is what we want for everyone who walks through the door,” explains Mark Guay, director of strategy.
In the hours we spent at Seven Seas, which has been in soft opening for less than two months, we noticed that the space already feels like a neighborhood joint. Customers great each other and the staff by name. Some huddle around the small tables talking quietly, while others tapped away at laptops.
Espresso Mixology
The whole-bean coffee is phenomenal and has earned Seven Seas a well-deserved following. And now, with the opening of the South Park cafe, patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy their brews in a completely new way.
Seven Seas has taken espresso-based beverages way beyond the cappuccino, with a sophisticated drink menu of artful, balanced beverages that were created through a partnership with Thai barista champions, and sustained with local, artisan ingredients.
Why Thailand? Well, you might not be familiar with Thai-grown beans, because it is one of the only places in the world that consumes (rather than exports) all the coffee it produces. These are some serious coffee lovers, and the country's top barista's have worked with Seven Seas to create a series of "cocktails" that highlight the unique flavor profiles of their espresso blend.
7 Signature Drinks Never Before Seen in San Diego from Seven Seas Roasting Co. on Vimeo.
Lead barista, Blue Hummingbird, explains that the recipe for the Lemon Latte was localized with San Diego County honey, citrus, and locally-baked lemon cookie crumb on the rim. The resulting beverage has pleasant bitter notes and brightness from the lemon rind, and the cookie crumb is perhaps the sweetest part of the understated drink.
The other hot beverage is a raw cocoa, mocha-esque concoction seasoned with garam masala and El Guapo hand-crafted ginger syrup. The coffee and unsweetened chocolate shine while the heady seasonings provide subtle, warm undertones.
Most of the beverages in the lineup are served cold, like the Grape Street, which features Domaine Sante grape nectar and tastes like a grown-up version of chocolate milk.
The Compass Rose is spiked with tonic water and presented in a wine coup with a sprinkling of dried rose petals. It’s refreshing and complex, the kind of drink you’d want to sip on a warm afternoon or summer evening. Other intriguing options include a Thai basil iced coffee and chocolate mint.
What was most impressive about the espresso mixology was the absence of any cloyingly sweet flavors. Every beverage was layered, complex, and perfectly balanced. They were an experience to drink. They begged to be savored and sipped with good company and good conversation. They’ll make you want to slow down and think about what you’re tasting, and there’s a kind of magic in that.
The Bottom Line
Seven Seas’ unwavering commitment to the global and local community are reason enough to visit. The stellar coffee and unparalleled espresso drinks will make you a regular.
Visit Seven Seas Roasting Company
1947 Fern Street, South Park
*Grand Opening March 16, 2019
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