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Diaspora (dai-a-spr-ah)

the movement of people out from an ancestral homeland; the place where these people live

Seattle’s first yaupon roastery and cafe is now open! Visit us in the historic Georgetown neighborhood for breakfast, lunch and yaupon espresso.

Yaupon is the only plant with natural caffeine native to this continent. It’s traditionally dark roasted and brewed strong, sort of like coffee. It is considered a superfood high in several adaptogenic compounds:

quercetin-rutinoside – may reduce inflammation, reduce allergies and stabilize 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 and tannins making it easier on the body than coffee and tea

What does it taste like? The flavor includes notes of dark chocolate, oolong tea, coffee and red fruit.

How much caffeine is in it? Yaupon has about 70% the caffeine of coffee. It also has other stimulating compounds making it just as strong as coffee, but with a longer, smoother energy boost.

Why haven’t I heard of it? When the first Europeans arrived on the coast of modern-day Georgia and Florida, they found the people there drinking yaupon regularly. They started drinking it and shipping it back to Europe where it was enjoyed alongside coffee, tea and chocolate. The British empire’s tea companies feared competition from their new colonies and quickly suppressed its trade. During and after the Revolutionary War, yaupon grew in popularity until the people who grew and roasted it were forcible displaced to Oklahoma. Read more

Our Story

Diaspora is the first yaupon company west of Texas, and the first yaupon espresso company. We started working with the plant in 2022, inspired by a shared love for regional ingredients. After months of testing roasts and grinds, we found a combination that worked perfectly in espresso machines giving notes of dark chocolate, oolong tea, coffee and red fruit. We hosted a tasting that exceeded expectations and decided to start sharing our recipe at local markets. After a year of serving over ten thousand people and refining our offering, we found a permanent home here in Seattle.

The yaupon trade was suppressed during the colonial period and the following displacement of the people who cultivated it for thousands of years before. While many in the South continued to drink yaupon, it only re-entered public awareness over the last decade as farmers began to study its history cultivation. It offers an amazing alternative for people suffering seasonal and mold allergies, caffeine sensitivity, heartburn, pesticide sensitivity and other coffee side effects.

When roasting, brewing and serving yaupon, we aim to honor the traditions of those who cultivated the plants before us including the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Muscogee people. We use only organic yaupon leaves from small regenerative farms in Georgia and Florida.

In partnership with the plants, Diaspora provides direct support to land and water rights movements in our region. This includes ongoing relationships with the Beacon Food Forest, United Indians of All Tribes Youth and Elder Home meal program, and the Northwest Hospitality food service program.

Our Team

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.

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.

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.

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.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I am a fun-loving mother of one, dedicated to spreading joy and positive energy. I’m passionate about bringing people from all circles of life together and enhancing health and happiness. My mission is simple: to bring a smile to your face and make life a little brighter.