The Little Roastery
With The Biggest Berkeley Heart

In the heart of Berkeley, California, a city known for its free-thinking spirit and vibrant counterculture, a quiet revolution was brewing in 1983. It wasn't a political movement or a technological breakthrough, but something far more fundamental to the daily lives of many: the pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee. In a small, unassuming roastery, a dream was taking shape, a vision that would become Uncommon Grounds.

This was more than just a business venture; it was a declaration of a core belief: Everyone deserves great coffee. This simple yet profound idea was the seed from which Uncommon Grounds grew. The founders weren't interested in mass production or chasing fleeting trends. Their intention was singular and pure: to create exceptional coffee, crafted with care, served with soul, and grounded in the community that gave it life.

In those early days, the air in the small roastery was thick with the rich aroma of freshly roasted beans, a testament to the passion and dedication poured into every batch. It was a place where the art of roasting was revered, a craft to be honed and perfected. The dream was not just to sell coffee, but to build a brand driven by quality, to tell a powerful story, and to serve something that mattered in every single cup. This was the birth of Uncommon Grounds, a roastery with the biggest Berkeley heart, ready to share its passion with the world.

At Uncommon Grounds, the journey to the perfect cup is a delicate dance between artistry and precision, a place where the art and science of coffee roasting meet. From the very beginning, the roastery has been a sanctuary for this craft, a space where intuition and expertise are woven together to unlock the full potential of every coffee bean. This is not a factory floor; it is a laboratory of flavor, a studio of aroma.

The philosophy is simple: roasting is not a mechanical process, but a creative one. It's about understanding the unique character of each bean, its origin, its density, and its moisture content. It's about listening to the crackle of the beans as they transform in the roaster, a symphony of subtle cues that guide the master roaster's hand. This deep, intuitive connection to the coffee is the "art" in their craft.

But this artistry is grounded in a rigorous scientific approach. Temperature curves are meticulously monitored, roasting times are precisely controlled, and every batch is cupped and evaluated with a critical palate. This dedication to gourmet quality is what has set Uncommon Grounds apart, earning them the reputation as Berkeley's premier coffee roastery. It's a commitment to consistency, to excellence, and to ensuring that every cup of Uncommon Grounds coffee is a testament to their unwavering standards. This is where passion becomes perfection, where the love for coffee is transformed into an unforgettable experience.

Long before the terms "organic" and "Fair Trade" became mainstream, Uncommon Grounds was blazing a trail, driven by a belief that great coffee should also be good for the people who grow it and the planet we share. In a time when these practices were still largely unknown in the United States, this small Berkeley roastery made a bold choice: to be the first in the Bay Area to offer certified organic and Fair Trade coffees.

This was not a marketing gimmick; it was a deeply held conviction. The founders of Uncommon Grounds understood that the journey of a coffee bean begins long before it reaches their roaster. It starts in the hands of dedicated farmers, in the rich soil of distant mountains. They believed in supporting these small growers, in empowering them to succeed through sustainable farming practices. They knew that coffee grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or growth regulators was not only better for the environment, but also produced a finer, more flavorful cup.

This pioneering spirit extended beyond just sourcing. Uncommon Grounds sought to create a welcoming space for all, a value reflected in their Kosher and Halal certifications. This commitment to inclusivity, to ethical sourcing, and to environmental responsibility was revolutionary for its time. It was a testament to their forward-thinking vision, a belief that a coffee company could be a force for positive change. This was Uncommon Grounds, a roastery that dared to be different, that put its values into action, and that proved that the best coffee is that which is grown with care, sourced with integrity, and roasted with passion.

From its inception, Uncommon Grounds has been more than just a roastery; it has been a cornerstone of the community. The mantra "crafted with care, served with soul, and grounded in community" is not just a tagline; it's the very essence of their identity. This is a place where relationships are brewed alongside coffee, where every interaction is an opportunity to connect, to share, and to build something lasting.

The heart of Uncommon Grounds beats in the cafes, markets, restaurants, and offices they serve. They are the partners who share their coffee with the world, the local businesses that help them grow. But the community extends far beyond wholesale accounts. It's in the hands of every coffee lover who brews a cup of Uncommon Grounds at home, from the bustling streets of the San Francisco Bay Area to homes across the country. Through their daily shipments, they extend their reach, sharing a piece of their Berkeley soul with every order.

This commitment to community is also reflected in their custom blending and labeling services. By working hand-in-hand with businesses, they help create unique coffee experiences, signature blends that tell a story and set them apart. This collaborative spirit is what makes Uncommon Grounds a true partner, not just a supplier. They are not just selling coffee; they are building a network of like-minded individuals and businesses who believe in the power of a great cup of coffee to bring people together. This is the community at the heart of Uncommon Grounds, a vibrant tapestry of connections woven together by a shared love for exceptional coffee.

In a world of relentless growth and corporate consolidation, Uncommon Grounds has made a conscious choice to walk a different path. Their mantra, "STAY SMALL, STAY LOCAL, STAY INDEPENDENT," is a powerful declaration of their values, a commitment to quality over quantity, and a promise to never lose sight of what makes them special.

Staying small is not about limiting their reach; it's about preserving the intimacy and attention to detail that defines their craft. It's about knowing their partners by name, not by account number. It's about ensuring that every batch of coffee is roasted with the same level of care and precision as the very first.

Staying local is about honoring their Berkeley roots, the community that has nurtured them from the very beginning. It's about being a part of the fabric of the city, a familiar and beloved institution. But "local" is more than just a geographic location; it's a mindset. It's about fostering a sense of belonging, whether you're a neighbor down the street or a customer across the country.

Staying independent is about having the freedom to stay true to their vision. It's about making decisions based on their values, not on the demands of shareholders. It's about having the agility to innovate, to experiment, and to always put their customers and their community first. This mantra is not a limitation; it's a source of strength. It's what allows Uncommon Grounds to grow with purpose, to scale with integrity, and to thrive on their own terms.

From a small Berkeley roastery with a big dream, Uncommon Grounds has grown into a beloved institution, a testament to the enduring power of quality, community, and independence. But their story is far from over. In fact, a new chapter is just beginning.

After decades of dedication, Jim, the steward of Uncommon Grounds, made a decision that would honor the past while securing the future. He chose to pass the torch to someone who understood the soul of the roastery—James Esver, a longtime friend who had long held a vision of one day owning this very place. Even before it was for sale, James saw what Uncommon Grounds could become. When the opportunity arose, it felt like destiny.

With this transition came a transformation: Uncommon Grounds became the House of Uncommon Grounds™. The word "House" carries profound meaning—it's more than a business, it's a home. A place of belonging, of warmth, of shared experiences. Where strangers become friends over perfectly pulled espresso, where ideas are born over morning pour-overs, where the aroma of freshly roasted beans creates an atmosphere of comfort and connection.

Welcome to the House. These words are an invitation to step inside, to be part of something bigger. Whether you're a longtime partner, a home brewer discovering our blends for the first time, or a visitor seeking that perfect cup, you're not just a customer. You're family.

With a proud declaration, "We're still here," the House of Uncommon Grounds™ looks to the future with the same passion and determination that has guided it from the very beginning. This is not a brand that rests on its laurels. The vision is clear: "We will grow. We will scale. We will thrive." This is not a departure from the mantra, but an evolution of it. Growth is not about compromising values, but about sharing them with a wider audience. Scaling is not about sacrificing quality, but about finding new and innovative ways to deliver it. Thriving is not just about financial success, but about enriching the lives of customers, partners, and community.

The future of the House of Uncommon Grounds™ is a hub—a vibrant and dynamic space for creators, for customers, and for a community that believes in better. It's a place where new ideas are sparked, where connections are forged, and where the love for coffee is a shared language. From our home in California to every cup around the world, the spirit of the House will continue to spread, a reminder that everyone, everywhere, deserves great coffee.

This is the House of Uncommon Grounds™. Born and raised in Berkeley, and ready for the world. A little roastery with the biggest heart, and a story that is still being written, one exceptional cup at a time.