In the spirit of #CoffeeTogether, we’re featuring some of our favorite coffee roasters so you know where to get exceptional coffee while you’re staying safe at home. Buy direct and consider leaving a virtual tip to help furloughed employees. Know a roaster we should feature? Shoot us a message on Facebook or Instagram!
Meet Compelling Coffee - Los Angeles, CA
Kian Abedini’s coffee fascination began in 2009 while hospitality consulting for a coffee bar in Santa Monica. The complexity of sourcing, roasting, and brewing captured his imagination. In 2012, Kian began sourcing and roasting rare and high-end coffees, as well as specialty tea, for wholesale clients and consumers.
In the last eight years, Compelling Coffee has won a variety of awards and developed a cult following. When you taste the coffee, you’ll see why. Compelling opened up its first retail cafe in Hollywood in June of 2020. If you’re close by, it’s a must-visit!
A Micro-Interview With Kian Abedini, The Founder
We reached out to Kian to see how things are going for the company in 2020, and see if he could offer a home brewing tip or two.
What was it like opening your new Hollywood location in the midst of COVID-19?
We had a few challenges. We were originally ready to open at the beginning of the year, but when everything shut down we just had delay after delay. Our countertops couldn’t get delivered because drivers weren’t working, inspections were cancelled by the city, etc.
Eventually though, we just pushed through and started a quiet soft open, and the local community has really responded! We had longtime Compelling customers driving up to see us from as far as Riverside county just to support as well. Delivery sales have been pretty great, and we’ve been running at an operational profit since our second month.
What's the #1 thing home coffee lovers can do to brew a better cup of your coffee?
On a macro level: Supporting independently owned, quality focused businesses. When companies like Compelling thrive, the quality focused farmers we work with thrive as well, and that’s something that ensures specialty grade coffee will be around forever.
On a micro level: Buy good brewing equipment!
Anything cool coming up for Compelling Coffee for the rest of 2020?
Cafe #2 and (potentially #3) for us is keeping us busy, as well as hiring some new faces across the business to support retail as well as our great wholesale partners. We’ve surprisingly had a year of growth, so that’s been pretty cool.
What We’re Brewing
This is the kind of reliable, everyday that always hits the spot. The light strawberry sweetness and nectarine aromas are rounded out by the smooth cocoa lower notes. The acidity is mild, in perfect harmony with the full flavor experience.
Featuring unbelievable aromatics of lavender and ginger, paired with a crisp mouthfeel and a bright citrus zing, this coffee is one of the more exotic and delicate ones we’ve come across. This is a compelling choice for the coffee lover who craves unique flavors.
Ways To Connect With Compelling Coffee
You can try Compelling’s award-winning coffee for yourself. Grab a single bag or sign up for a recurring coffee subscription on the Compelling online store.
If you’re in or around Los Angeles, the company’s first retail location is open for business. Make sure to double-check the store hours before you visit—but definitely visit!
Thank you, Kian and Compelling Coffee!
*The picture featured is from compelling.coffee
