Zoka Coffee
VerifiedProEst. 1996
About
Seattle institution roasting since 1996, with four cafes across Seattle and Kirkland and its own small-batch roastery in Bellingham. Family direct trade sourcing, a vintage German PROBAT, and National Barista Championship wins in 2002 and 2005.
Our Story
Zoka roasted its first batch of coffee in the fall of 1996, and four months later - on January 7, 1997 - opened the doors to its Greenlake coffeehouse in Seattle. The name comes from Colombia: after a thorough pruning, a coffee tree is reborn into a highly productive tree again, and that rebirth is called "zoka." Founder Jeff Babcock is still the day-to-day decision maker all these years later. Zoka practices family direct trade - buying many of its single origins straight from the farmers who grow them, visiting the farms, and partnering with the same growers year after year. A dedicated four-person team roasts in small batches every weekday on a vintage German PROBAT at the company's own roastery in Bellingham, and every bag is packed by hand. Along the way Zoka has grown to four cafes, mail order, and a robust wholesale business - and picked up National Barista Championship wins in 2002 and 2005, Roast Magazine's Macro Roaster of the Year in 2008, and a Good Food Awards finalist nod in 2022.
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Coffees
Menu may not be current — roasters can claim their profile to update.
Colombia Jorge Rajas Natural
Colombia, Planadas, Tolima
natural process
From fourth-generation producer Jorge Rajas's three-hectare La Roca Estate at 1,850 masl - Red Bourbon, natural process. Blackberry, peach, cherry, lemon zest.
opens roaster's store
Costa Rica Don Joel
Costa Rica
washed process
Bright, elegant single origin from a family farm where father and son work side by side - Villa Sarchi varietal, juicy and expressive.
opens roaster's store
Costa Rica Helsar de Zarcero
Costa Rica
white honey / washed process
Caturra varietal dark roasted to bring out deep nutty and dark fruit notes - hazelnut, ripe black cherry, rustic sweetness in a rich, full-bodied cup.
opens roaster's store
Costa Rica Sumava Gesha
Costa Rica
Part of Zoka's Limited Series - an exceptional Gesha lot sourced directly from farm partners, available in very small quantities and roasted to order.
opens roaster's store
Decaf Espresso Cuatro
Central & South America
Medium roast, medium body decaf with sweet notes of cocoa and caramel and a medium-bright acidity - a good choice any time of day.
opens roaster's store
Decaf Espresso Paladino
Central & South America
Zoka's house decaf espresso since the first cafe opened in January 1997 - dependable, resilient, and their #1 selling decaf. Great as espresso or drip.
opens roaster's store
Decaf Hidden City
Colombia & Brazil
A dark roasted decaf treasure - molasses, pecan and caramel, equally at home starting your day or settling in your evening.
opens roaster's store
Decaf Tangletown
Central America & Colombia
The decaf take on Zoka's original blend - bright and refreshing without the caffeine, named for the winding trolley streets of the Green Lake neighborhood.
opens roaster's store
Espresso Cuatro
Central & South America
Espresso blend pairing the sweet, tangy brightness of Central American coffees with the buttery smoothness of South American farms.
opens roaster's store
Espresso Paladino
Central & South America
Zoka's #1 selling blend and the house espresso in every cafe since 1997 - rich chocolate core, balanced and approachable, great as espresso or drip.
opens roaster's store
Fitzroy
Central & South America
The lightest of Zoka's dark roasts and their #2 best-seller - milk chocolate and sweet molasses, medium body, clean finish. An everyday crowd-pleaser.
opens roaster's store
Hidden City
Colombia & Brazil
Zoka's darkest roast - vibrant and sweet for a French roast, with rich dark chocolate accented by fresh and dried fruit.
opens roaster's store
Location
2200 N 56th St, Seattle, WA 98103, USA