Welcome To Diaspora

Yaupon is the only caffeinated plant native to North America, known to some First Peoples as Turtle Island. It is considered a superfood high in several adaptogenic compounds:

quercetin-rutinoside – may reduce inflammation and stabilise metabolism

caffeine – about 55 mg per cup

theobromine – “the chocolate molecule”

theophylline – also found in cacao, tea and coffee

theacrine – popular in athletics

high in many antioxidants and low in acid

When roasting, brewing and serving yaupon, we aim to honor and follow the traditions of those who cultivated the plants before us including the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Muscogee people. We use only Regenerative Organic Certified® yaupon leaves from small farms in Georgia, Florida and Texas. The flavor includes familiar notes of both tea and coffee, and more unique ones.

In partnership with the plants, Diaspora provides direct support to land and water rights movements in our region. This includes an ongoing relationship with the Beacon Food Forest in Beacon Hill.

Our Story

Diaspora is the first yaupon roaster west of Texas, and the first yaupon espresso company. We started working with the plant in 2022, inspired by a shared love for native medicines. Little is known for certain about yaupon’s history due to the displacement of first people across its native range, but we do know a few things. It was brewed strong and dark and enjoyed in community. It offers an alternative to the troubling state of the coffee industry where profits are extracted from struggling farmers in origin countries. It provides all-day energy without the heartburn about its effect on your health or the environment.

As we expand the Diaspora team and roasting operation here in Seattle, we are on the hunt for our first not-so-fast cafe location. We envision a space with seasonal foods and beverages, where storytelling and relaxation are encouraged. In the meantime, visit us one of our weekly markets or events to share a story and a cup!

Our Team

Hector was raised in the chicano culture of California with roots in Michoacan, Mexico and the deserts of Arizona, US. After several years of farming experience, he has gained a passionate responsibility to advance food sovereignty and share the traditional medicines of ancient cultures. These include yaupon, kava, cacao and the medicinal plants of the Salish coast.

Dorian was raised in Vermont among the Abenaki culture of her father. She is the aesthetic lead and market service champion of Diaspora. She is also a roller derby olympic champion, a pilates teacher and an active circus arts performer with a specialty in lyra.

Kelsey is a born native of Washington State, a Puyallup tribal member, and a kanaka maoli of Hawai’i island. She is an active member of the sovereignty movements in Hawai’i and a continual voice and supporter for land, water, and human rights.

Ian was raised in Seattle and has experience in urban farming, music event production and growing sustainable businesses. He is excited to learn from yaupon and open an establishment centered around plant medicine and storytelling to serve the community.

Khalil is a black, Arkansas-native, that’s lived in South Seattle for 2.5 years. He’s an artist of many medias, a lover of nature, watcher of anime, roller of blades, and he works at the Beacon Food Forest as the Site & Programs Director. You can catch Khalil in the garden, mixing up songs on his DJ controller, or spending time with his friends.