Every coffee we serve has traveled thousands of miles, passed through careful hands, and been crafted with intention. This is the story behind it all.
Aura & Bean began not with a business plan, but with a question: what if coffee could be more than a transaction? Our founder, Elias Vang, spent years traveling through Ethiopia, Colombia, and Guatemala — not as a tourist, but as a student. He sat with farmers, cupped hundreds of varietals, and learned what it takes to grow a truly exceptional bean.
What emerged was a philosophy: that great coffee is the product of relationships — between the farmer and the land, the roaster and the bean, the barista and the guest. Every cup we serve is a testament to those connections.
We opened our first café in Portland, Oregon in 2026. The space was intentionally small — thirty-six seats, a custom La Marzocco espresso machine, and a window where guests could watch every pour. We wanted transparency not as a marketing concept, but as a daily practice.
— Elias Vang, Founder