At Java City, roasting coffee is more than a process. It’s a craft we’ve perfected over decades. Since 1985, we’ve been roasting coffee right here in Sacramento. Not long after, we opened our very first café in a small brick building in Midtown. It quickly became a neighborhood spot where people gathered over smooth, fresh-roasted coffee. While that café isn’t open today, the spirit of those early days, community, connection, and great coffee, still guides everything we do.
A Sacramento Original
What started as a local roastery has grown into a family-owned business with cafés and partners across the country. Today, Java City coffee is served nationwide, but Sacramento is still home. Every bean is roasted here, using the same small-batch techniques we’ve relied on for nearly 40 years.
The Craft of Roasting
Our roasters aren’t machines; they’re masters of their craft. Training takes years, and every roast is guided by human skill, not just timers and computers. Armed with sight, sound, and smell, our team relies on tradition and intuition to draw out the full character of each bean. Using vintage Italian brick-lined drum roasters, we slow roast in small batches, letting radiant heat unlock flavors that are balanced, nuanced, and smooth.
Coffee Worth Your Time
We roast to order, which means your coffee is never sitting on a shelf waiting for you; it’s fresh, intentional, and true to its origin. Whether it’s a latte on your way to class or a bag you take home, every cup reflects our promise: to make your day a little better with coffee that’s rich, smooth, and perfectly roasted.
From Farmers to You
Every coffee we serve comes through farmer cooperatives, ensuring quality beans and fair partnerships at the source. Once selected, each lot of green coffee is test-roasted and evaluated through a meticulous cupping process. This attention to detail ensures that the final cup isn’t just good, it’s exceptional.
Still Curious?
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a coffee roaster? What makes them fall in love with a certain coffee, or how they brew it at home? Our Lead Roaster, Julio Nungaray Guzman, is one of the people behind every bag and cup you enjoy here at Sacramento State. Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more of his story soon.
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