About Us - Canadian Coffee Culture

Our Journey Through Canadian Coffee

Founded in 2012 by a group of passionate coffee enthusiasts, Canadian Coffee Culture began as a small blog documenting the diverse coffee scenes across Canada's provinces. What started as weekend adventures to local cafes in Toronto quickly evolved into a nationwide exploration of Canada's unique relationship with coffee.

Our founder, Emily Mackenzie, a former barista with a degree in cultural anthropology, noticed that while Canada's coffee culture was rich and distinctive, it remained largely undocumented compared to its American and European counterparts. With her background in both coffee craft and cultural research, Emily assembled a team of like-minded coffee professionals to begin mapping the Canadian coffee landscape.

By 2015, our team had visited over 200 coffee establishments across all provinces and territories, publishing detailed accounts of regional variations in brewing techniques, cafe atmospheres, and consumer preferences. Our research attracted attention from both national media and the global coffee industry, establishing us as the leading authority on Canadian coffee traditions.

Today, Canadian Coffee Culture has evolved into a multifaceted organization that conducts research, hosts educational events, publishes guides and books, and partners with coffee businesses to preserve and promote Canada's coffee heritage while fostering innovation in the industry.

Canadian Coffee Culture team at our first coffee event in Toronto

Our Mission & Values

Coffee cupping session with local producers in British Columbia

Our Mission

To document, preserve, and celebrate Canada's distinctive coffee traditions while promoting sustainable and ethical practices throughout the coffee supply chain.

Core Values

Cultural Appreciation

We recognize and honor the diverse cultural influences that have shaped Canadian coffee traditions, from French press techniques in Quebec to the Italian espresso culture of Toronto.

Environmental Stewardship

We advocate for sustainable coffee production and consumption practices that minimize environmental impact and protect coffee-growing regions for future generations.

Education & Accessibility

We believe quality coffee knowledge should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or experience level, and strive to make our educational resources engaging and approachable.

Community Building

We foster connections between coffee producers, cafe owners, baristas, and consumers to create a more transparent, equitable, and collaborative coffee community.

Meet Our Team

Our diverse team of coffee experts brings together decades of experience in coffee production, preparation, education, and cultural research.

Emily Mackenzie

Founder & Director

A former competitive barista with a degree in anthropology from McGill University, Emily combines her passion for coffee craft with cultural research to document Canada's evolving coffee scene. Her book, "Brewing Identity: Coffee and Canadian Culture," has been featured in national publications.

Michael Chen

Head of Research

With a PhD in Food Science from the University of British Columbia, Michael leads our research into Canadian coffee preferences, brewing techniques, and consumption patterns. He previously worked as a quality analyst for major Canadian roasters and brings scientific rigor to our coffee evaluations.

Nadia Ouellet

Education Director

A SCA-certified trainer from Montreal, Nadia oversees our educational programs and workshops. Her background in both traditional French cafe culture and modern specialty coffee techniques makes her uniquely qualified to teach the full spectrum of Canadian coffee approaches.

Jordan Thompson

Community Outreach Coordinator

A member of the Mohawk Nation and former cafe owner from Vancouver, Jordan focuses on building relationships between our organization and indigenous communities, highlighting native plant infusions and traditional preparation methods that influence modern Canadian coffee culture.

Our Achievements

Since our founding in 2012, we've worked to document, preserve, and celebrate Canadian coffee culture through numerous initiatives and projects.

Canadian Coffee Culture National Mapping Project

National Coffee Mapping

Completed the first comprehensive mapping of Canadian coffee traditions across all provinces and territories, documenting regional differences in preparation methods, cafe designs, and consumer preferences.

Coffee educational workshop with diverse participants

Educational Outreach

Educated over 25,000 Canadians through our workshops, events, and online courses about coffee history, brewing techniques, and sustainable consumption practices.

Award-winning coffee publication by Canadian Coffee Culture

Award-Winning Publications

Published "The Canadian Coffee Atlas," which won the Culinary Culture Award in 2019 and has been translated into three languages for international distribution.

Sustainable coffee initiative with Canadian roasters

Sustainability Initiative

Partnered with 45 Canadian roasters to implement our sustainability certification program, reducing water usage and carbon emissions while improving ethical sourcing practices.

What People Say About Us

"Canadian Coffee Culture's educational workshop transformed how I approach coffee preparation in my cafe. Their deep understanding of both historical traditions and modern innovations has given us a unique edge in Vancouver's competitive coffee scene. Their team is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about preserving what makes Canadian coffee special."

Olivia Richardson

Owner, Coastal Brew Co., Vancouver

"As a coffee roaster focused on highlighting Canadian terroir through our roasting style, partnering with Canadian Coffee Culture has been invaluable. Their research into regional taste preferences helps us create blends that truly resonate with local palates. Their commitment to both tradition and innovation perfectly aligns with our philosophy."

Marcus Devlin

Head Roaster, Northern Light Coffee, Toronto

"The work Canadian Coffee Culture does to document our nation's coffee traditions is incredibly important cultural preservation. Their attention to detail in mapping regional differences and highlighting indigenous influences has filled a major gap in our culinary heritage documentation. Their 'Canadian Coffee Atlas' is now required reading for all our culinary arts students."