Portola Coffee

“Portola Coffee Lab was named after an explorer who traveled the coast of California: Graspar de Portola. For a while, the shop was turning heads with their baristas clad in lab coats, behind their glass island-style bar, affixed with siphons and kyoto brewers. The theme feels straight out of a science textbook, which would make sense considering Jeff’s background is in chemistry. Luckily science isn’t unimaginative; the Costa Mesa location is also home to Theorem, a concept bar that allows its baristas to come up with unique creative menus.”

“Jeff started home roasting as a hobby, and quickly turned it into a successful career.  This seems to be a trend in specialty coffee professionals—this beautiful spark of interest that stems from an experience or a sensory reaction to coffee, and begins a lifetime of chasing after the perfect cup. Jeff’s story is no different, and to have achieved all that he has this year is truly remarkable.”*Words by Blair Smith and images originally shot for an article published on lifeandthyme.com, head there to see more images and read the full piece.