ROOTED IN COFFEE
Hailing from the birthplace of coffee, I come from generations of Ethiopian coffee farmers and women roasters. Across Ethiopia, women have long upheld the tradition of roasting, brewing, and serving coffee, creating vibrant communities and cultural rituals that deeply shaped my perspective on how coffee is shared and experienced. My father’s stories of observing his father on our family’s coffee farm sparked a lifelong passion in me. Raised in Toronto, I became fascinated by coffee’s history and knew I wanted to continue the legacy. But unlike my grandfather, who worked at the farm level, I envisioned contributing from a different place in the supply chain—by starting a coffee company and actively investing in the people who grow it through impactful initiatives focused on sustainability, equity, and sharing the often-untold stories of this magical plant from a perspective deeply rooted in coffee.
Nearly two decades ago, a life-changing trip to Ethiopia brought that vision into sharper focus. I visited our family’s micro-lot farm in the Hararghe province, where I experienced the renowned Harar coffee at its origin and saw the landscapes that had long lived in the stories I’d grown up hearing.
I also traveled to Jimma in the Oromia region—once the capital of Kaffa province and believed to be the area coffee was first discovered. Time spent with local farmers and my own relatives deepened my respect for their skill, resilience, and the vital role coffee plays in their lives. It was a humbling and unforgettable experience—one that continues to inspire everything I do in coffee today.
Muna Mohammed
Founder/CEO
PURPOSE
Having your own take on what makes coffee just right for you, is what coffee exploration and drinking is all about. I discovered my own passion for coffee different from my grandfather, but just right for me. In 2020, I brought together my love of coffee, community, entrepreneurial experience, to build a responsibly sourced coffee company, that gives back and creates impact in the coffee community it sources its coffee from and from the communities we serve
What's up With Your Name? As a tribute to the birthplace of coffee, we chose the name Eight50 Coffee.I
I’m so glad you asked! Coffee was first discovered over 1,200 years ago, and legend has it that a young Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi stumbled upon it around 850 AD. Oral traditions passed through generations—including stories I heard from my own family—sparked my curiosity to explore the rich coffee heritage of my ancestors.
While the Kaldi tale is well-known, history shows that the Oromo people of Ethiopia were using coffee long before that.
850 AD is more than a year—it symbolizes the start of coffee’s history. While dates can be subjective, we chose to claim this one, tied to coffee’s origins. Reclaiming 850 as part of our identity feels both powerful and fitting. Through Eight50 Coffee, we honour that legacy, the people who shaped it, and the story of coffee’s birthplace.We’re excited to share this journey with you—and we can’t wait for you to try our coffee!.
MISSION
Celebrating daily coffee moments, because each day is a new day to connect with the things that matter the most! Through Coffee, we find our moments.
We want to share and infuse our ancient coffee rituals in the form of celebrating, pausing, and appreciating your daily coffee moments, so whether you schedule 15 or 30 minutes,- solo, with family or friends, we're here for it, after all, coffee is the vehicle that helps you find your moment.
VALUES
Our coffee process begins with producers filling their baskets with care, appreciation and tradition. We share our love of coffee that has been woven into our deep-rooted family coffee heritage, and is transferred to our customers in celebrating everyday joyous coffee moments. Through daily rituals of brewing great coffee at home our customers are able to create what their coffee moment means to them. Depending on how you’re feeling, your coffee moment is there to set the mood.
At Eight50 Coffee, coffee is so much more than just a cup of caffeine. It's an important part of our heritage and foundation that allows us to engage with our community, connect to places, nature, build relationships, and share our stories. We carry those same family values to define our brand culture.
We believe in the power of creating your own coffee moments based on your life. No matter what brew method you use and where in the world you live, appreciating and celebrating your coffee moments is all that matters .
