how it begins
Hi everyone, it's Leo, the Founder of Châu Coffee. Named after my family, I wanted to share the elements of what I love about my family's culture and ethos and inject it into every bag of beans, every cup of coffee, and every interaction we have at Châu Coffee.
After a decade-plus career in the corporate world, I wanted to create something that builds community, promotes togetherness, and encourages us to be present with one another and with our surroundings.
I hope that the coffee that Châu Coffee provides and the spaces in which its imbibed can be filled with positivity and enrichment in our every day lives.
Ai ra xứ Huế thì ra
from huế, việt nam to southern california
Although I was the only one in my family to be born in California, I try and carry Huế's spirit with me. When I visit my family's home town, I'm greeted warmly by aunties who make me a plate of bánh bèo or a steaming hot bowl of bún bò Huế. I'm embraced by uncles and cousins who offer me a glass of their home-made rice wine and pick fresh longans and guava off of their garden's fruit trees to send off with me.
The sense of family and unconditional kindness, even from people that I'm not related to, is the ethos that I want to carry forward with me in this journey I'm calling Châu Coffee. In a world with so much chaos and confusion, I hope that with every sip of coffee, every conversation at a cafe, and every interaction brings us one step closer to being more human.
Ball is life, Cà Phê is fuel
the court, the community, the coffee
You might be asking: "Why there's all this basketball imagery on a coffee bag?" Growing up, the basketball court was my sanctuary, where I made some of my closest friends, and where I found my confidence and my voice. As I turn a new chapter in my life, I still want to share my love of basketball through Châu Coffee. In the near future, we'll be partnering with select organizations in Los Angeles dedicated to providing a healthy and positive outlet for youth through basketball and sports.
Stay tuned for updates on these partnerships!
Integrity, Empathy, Curiosity, and Camaraderie
our values
I want to make every cup of coffee and roast every bag of beans with the utmost integrity, have every interaction be one filled with empathy, have every conversation be one with open curiosity, and have everyone leaving with a feeling of camaraderie.
Although I consider myself a coffee enthusiast, there is still a TON that I don't know - I'm always learning and striving to get you the best cup, ethically sourced at a fair price.
At Châu Coffee, our mission is to elevate Vietnamese farmers and educate your palate. We meticulously cold-call co-ops and farms, building direct relationships to improve farmers' lives and cultivation. Every bean has a story, and we want to share that with all of you!
Beyond the bean, we want to share Vietnamese culture. We'll introduce you to traditional phin rituals, vibrant markets, and classic drinks like Cà Phê Sữa Đá and Cà Phê Muối, or something adventurous with Pandan, Mung Bean, or Lotus.
join our community, sip the difference
If you’re curious about coffee and other cultures, you're in the right place! Join us, and be part of the Chau Coffee community, where every cup is a story rooted in Vietnamese heritage and passion. Follow us on instagram for updates: @CHAU.COFFEE