Over the past few decades, coffee has evolved from a simple hot beverage served in diners to a sophisticated, multi-flavored drink enjoyed in upscale cafes. This transformation has expanded coffee drinkers’ palates, creating a more discerning and demanding audience.
In Alexandria, Hypergoat Coffee Roasters, located at 215 North Payne Street, is embracing this coffee revolution. The café, which opened in 2023, is the brainchild of Rodrigo and Deborah Joos, a husband-and-wife team from Brazil. With their roots in the tech and business worlds, Rodrigo, a former computer scientist, and Deborah, a business administrator, have always shared a passion for coffee. Their mission now is to introduce the Alexandria community to high-quality specialty coffee and traditional Brazilian foods.
“When we moved here, we saw an opportunity to bring specialty coffee to the area,” Rodrigo said. “Our coffee is higher quality.”
Deborah emphasized the care that goes into their roasting process, noting, “When we roast, you can really taste the flavors. For example, one coffee might be fruity, while another is more chocolatey. It’s all about the selection of beans and how we prepare them.”
The Joos’ love for coffee began in Brazil, where they drank it in the traditional manner, combining strong, dark blends with sugar. But it wasn’t until they moved away from Brazil that they began to explore the wider world of coffee.
“We started roasting coffee at home in our garage for our friends,” Rodrigo shared.
Today, Hypergoat offers a variety of coffee options and Brazilian-inspired delicacies in a cozy, eclectic co-working space. The café is decorated with Brazilian art, and soft music fills the air, contributing to a relaxed, community-focused environment. The Joos are committed to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and fair trade practices, ensuring that both quality and responsibility are central to their business. They also host coffee tasting workshops, further enriching the community experience.
“We love living in Alexandria,” Deborah said. “It’s a small city with a historic feel. We spend more time here than we do in DC, and it’s been great to contribute to the local community.”
As for the name “Hypergoat,” it’s inspired by a legend from Ethiopia. According to Rodrigo, a goatherd named Kaldi once noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating cherries from a certain tree. Whether or not the story is true, it adds a charming touch to the café’s identity.
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