Coava Coffee Roasters: Portland’s Specialty Pioneer

If you’ve ever wondered where the obsession with precision in specialty coffee began—like why some roasters grow their own coffee plants or craft custom brewing equipment—Portland’s Coava Coffee Roasters offers a textbook case. This isn’t just another roastery; it’s a hub where passion, innovation, and hands-on craftsmanship converge.

Coava was founded in 2008 by Matt Higgins, a former German major turned coffee devotee who trained as an apprentice roaster in 2003 before launching his own roastery five years later. The brand is also behind the patented Kone stainless steel pour-over filter, a bestseller that famously sold out quickly.

The Founder’s Journey

Matt Higgins’ coffee journey started in high school, where he worked as a barista. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in German in 2003, he took a translation job at an overseas agricultural company, Neudorff. But his heart remained in coffee. He spent his weekends at Pacific Bay Coffee Company, eventually convincing the owner, John Laird, to take him on as a roasting apprentice. By 2008, Higgins had opened Coava Coffee Roasters in Portland, Oregon.

A Unique Café Space

Visitors to Coava’s café, located at 1300 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214, often notice its distinctive touches. The coffee shop features a one-of-a-kind coffee table adorned with small live coffee seedlings, adding a touch of greenery and life to the space. These seedlings reflect Higgins’ broader passion for coffee cultivation—he also grows coffee plants in his basement.

The Kone Filter

One of Coava’s most notable contributions to the specialty coffee world is the Kone, a stainless steel pour-over filter. Priced at $50, the Kone quickly became a hit—and a sellout—due to its durability and unique design. Even visitors from abroad, like one who traveled specifically to Coava, could only secure an unboxed unit after a search through the inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Coava Coffee Roasters?

Coava was founded in 2008 by Matt Higgins, a former German major who discovered his passion for coffee while working as a barista in high school. He apprenticed as a roaster in 2003 and launched his own roastery five years later.

Where is Coava located?

Coava Coffee Roasters is located at 1300 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214, in the industrial district of southeast Portland.

What is the Kone filter?

The Kone is a patented stainless steel pour-over filter created by Coava. It retails for $50 and became highly popular, often selling out due to its unique design and durability.

Did Matt Higgins study coffee in school?

No, Higgins studied German at the University of Oregon. His interest in coffee developed later, leading him to work as a barista and eventually train as a roasting apprentice before founding Coava.

What makes Coava’s café unique?

The café features a distinctive coffee table with live coffee seedlings, contributing to a fresh, green atmosphere. Higgins also cultivates coffee plants in his basement, reflecting his hands-on approach to the coffee process.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Pour-Over

For fans of Coava’s precision-focused brewing, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe—bright with citrus and floral notes—or their Guatemala Antigua, offering chocolate and spice. Both shine in pour-over methods like V60 or Chemex, complementing Coava’s ethos of clarity and balance. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.