Getting to know Us

Atabey Coffee Roasters was born in Los Angeles, California, and today continues its story from Orlando, Florida. We are a female-founded, self-funded, and 75% Latina-operated roaster with one clear mission: To bring Dominican specialty coffee to the people.

We import green coffee beans directly from the Dominican Republic and roast to order, always fresh. Our dream is for Dominican coffee to not only be noticed but to be respected in the specialty coffee world.

Coffee has been part of Dominican culture since the late 1800s, thanks to our island’s geography and climate. The Dominican Republic exports green beans, roasted, and ground coffee across North America, Europe, and especially Asia—where demand is high but local production doesn’t exist. Yet behind this global trade are small producers, often working up to twelve hours a day under harsh conditions. Supporting them fairly is at the heart of Atabey. We believe their labor, skill, and dedication deserve dignity and recognition.

Growing up in a small town in the Cordillera Central of the Dominican Republic, where everyone knows each other, coffee was always present. It wasn’t just a drink—it was part of every moment. In the mornings, you’d smell it drifting from every kitchen. In the afternoons, you’d find it on every table. During special occasions, coffee turned into sobremesa—those lingering conversations after a meal where time slows down and stories flow as freely as the cafecito.

As kids, we were captivated by it all. The rich aroma, the warmth of the cup passed around, the taste that carried both comfort and connection. That’s where our love for coffee was born—out of community, tradition, and the simple magic of sharing it together. No matter the occasion, or even the place—whether at home, visiting a neighbor, sitting in a bank, a government office, or a local business—you’d always be greeted with a colao’. To this day, coffee isn’t just served—it’s always offered as a gesture of bienvenida!

Back in 2017, we started on a path of discovery to learn more about the Dominican Republic’s coffee culture—an eye-opening journey that deepened our connection to the land. The Dominican Republic, located in the Caribbean and part of the world’s Coffee Belt, grows a variety of coffee beans, with Arabica strains like Típica, Caturra, and Catimores predominating across the island. For too long, these regions and the people who cultivate them had been neglected and exploited by big companies and wealthy families, despite their rich history and incredible potential.

From 2017 to 2022, this journey transformed from an idea into reality. It took years of reading, attending workshops, doing research, and learning the ins and outs of specialty coffee. Each step of the way prepared me to create Atabey Coffee Roasters—building a company that could bring the story and flavor of Dominican coffee to the people.

Our name honors those who came before us. The Taínos, the island’s first people, believed in many gods. Atabey was their supreme goddess, the spirit of Mother Earth and of all waters. She represents the mountains where our beans are cultivated, cared for, and harvested with devotion.

In recent years, more attention has been given to Dominican specialty coffee. Education, training, and new practices are raising awareness of quality, sustainability, and fair pay. This progress inspires us, but we also know there is still much work to do.

That’s why our philosophy is simple: Quality over Quantity.

And that’s how Atabey Coffee Roasters was born—with the hope that Dominican specialty coffee will not only be noticed but respected in the wider coffee world. Our purpose is to honor both the land that raised us and the people whose hands bring this coffee to life.

Behind every cup are farmers who dedicate long, exhausting days with their hands. Their labor is more than work—it’s tradition, knowledge, and resilience passed down through generations. We carry their story forward, knowing that the choices we make can ripple back home, sustaining the future of microlote farmers, their communities, and even the health of our motherland itself.

Every bag we roast is a gesture of recognition and gratitude—for the soil, the culture, and above all, the hardworking people who make Dominican coffee possible.

Colao* is what we call the brewing of coffee back home. For us, it’s more than a daily ritual—it’s a way to stay connected to our roots, no matter where we are.