The Seattle Coffee Scene - an Interview with Sean Grant of Seattle Gourmet Coffee

Seattle is known for its coffee culture. Everyone knows that Starbucks originated in Seattle. What many do not know is that the first Starbucks started at the Pike Place Public Market, the most visited tourist attraction in Seattle.

Today, Starbucks is on every corner in Seattle, and is the most well-known coffee icon in the world. But, Starbucks, according to residents of Seattle is not what makes up the true coffee culture of Seattle. It is the independent coffee shops that have created that. All Seattle residents have their favorite coffee shops. Coffee is such a part of Seattle life, that a recent study showed that the Seattle sewer discharge water held an elevated level of caffeine. Pretty exciting news!

Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss the coffee culture with Sean Grant, the owner of Seattle Gourmet Coffee. He is part-founder of the company and loves the Seattle coffee scene. He has some interesting things to say about his perceptions of the coffee culture in Seattle.

Let's hear his thoughts about how his company started and what he thinks about Seattle and coffee.

ABS) How did you get involved in the coffee business?

Sean) Back around 1993 my brother in law visited a cafe in Miami & ordered a Mocha but come to find it wasn't quite to the standard to what he was used to drinking here in Seattle. He asked the manager if they would show him how they prepared it. Afterward he offered to teach them how to prepare it the way we did in Seattle. They were impressed and hired him to teach their staff. Shortly afterwards he met some family roasters and farm connections in Florida, he then called me here in Seattle and said, "How would you like to go into the coffee business." That is the quick story on how we got started.

ABS) What is your favorite coffee product and why?

SEAN) If you are asking which single origin coffee is my favorite, that would be Ethiopian Harrar. Mainly because I enjoy the body of this coffee has to offer. It is full flavored, has a wonderful aroma, and I can enjoy it without creamer or sugar.

ABS) How do you view the Seattle coffee culture?

SEAN) Truthfully it sort of reminds me of turning back the clock to the 60's & 70's. What I mean is, it feels like being entertained at a dinner play or out door theater and enjoying all of the sites and sounds of things buzzing. You know, creating a flow of energy using coffee with it's smells & tastes instead of music and incense. Does that make sense?

ABS) How do you see your business growing in the next five years? What plans are in the works?

SEAN) Our goals have always been the same. They include providing top quality coffees to everyone at affordable prices both for themselves personally or for their business; assist those that want to enter the coffee business by way of consulting, training, equipment & coffee, and lastly, serve all of our customers with great respect and honesty. As for our continued growth, instead of offering franchises in this industry we look forward to encouraging more to open their own locations nationally. We have assisted quite a few over the years & are very excited that more are happening every year. We would like to expand into the portion pack (individual pack for drip coffees) and private label markets. I could go on, but I'll leave it there for now.

ABS) What is the busiest time of day in the coffee business? How do you prepare for it?

SEAN) That depends on the type of operation. If it is the espresso drive thru location, that would be the mornings between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. This is the morning drive time that most consumers are on their way to work in the morning. If in a sit down type of location like a cafe or coffee shop, it may be more toward the afternoon time. That is usually the time when people are slowing down and just want to wrap their hands around a warm cup & something to read. Well I don't involve myself in our espresso shop much these days since I do a lot of blending, roasting, packaging & helping customers. I will say, however, I prepare myself the same way every morning, by saying a prayer.

ABS) If you had not gotten into the coffee business, what other kind of work would you have chosen?

SEAN) That's a great question. In a previous life (SMILE), I used to be an on air person in San Diego, doing radio. I enjoyed being on air, commercial spots, the occasional live remote and station promotions. So I guess that would be it. In fact I would probably like to do some commercial spots again in the future. Anybody out there interested? (SMILE)

As you can see, Sean Grant is sold on the Seattle coffee culture. Coffee and Seattle seem to be synonymous.