Wilson Coffee Roasting Company

If you are a coffee lover, you must seek out Wilson Coffee. It’s definitely one of OC’s hidden gems. And by hidden, I mean it’s near impossible to find the place. Even when you have the address in your GPS, you’ll still end up driving right by it. (Tip: if you’re going south down Placentia, turn right directly after Alden’s Carpets and Drapes. If you pass Buttonham Palace, you’ve gone too far.) If/​when you drive past it, turn around. It’s worth it!
Wilson’s coffees are fantastic, and they are the only coffee we drink at home now. Not only are all the coffee beans roasted fresh — and fresh beans make all the difference since the volatile organic compounds start to dissipate somewhat quickly — the beans themselves are very high quality. All are organic. Many are fair trade certified. Some are even rainforest alliance certified. It depends on what country the beans come from and what certifications are available, but nonetheless, Jim seems to source only the best. Not only can you feel good that you are contributing to a fair wage for the farmers, you also know that these farmers are dedicated to taking care of the land and environment to the highest degree. And then of course you get to enjoy a kick ass cup — or three — of delicious coffee! Everything I’ve tried has been outstanding. I am especially fond of the brighter blends like those from Honduras and Brazil. However, the Ethiopian blend is rich, deep, and lovely, too. It’s one of the best Ethiopian blends I’ve ever tried.
The owner Jim is a really nice guy and is happy to discuss all things coffee if you are interested and ask. He’s a fountain of knowledge about bean sourcing, roasting, and brewing, and he’ll offer good recommendations of which beans to choose depending on your taste preference. One caveat: it’s hard to find a time when Jim is there because it’s a very small operation and he’s often busy and out and about. I advise calling (though he might not be able to hear the phone ring over the roasters) and/​or emailing if you want to go there in person and meet the man.
Perhaps your best bet for getting your hands on these wonderful beans is to head over to Grower’s Ranch in Costa Mesa and pick up a bag there (it’s towards the back of the store). They usually have 2 – 3 varieties to choose from, and for some reason it appears to be cheaper buying it there instead of directly from Jim ($ 10 versus $ 14 – 15 for 12oz). If you’re looking for a particular origin, a larger amount, or what’s freshest, you’ll need to go directly to Wilson Coffee for that.
Happy caffeine buzzing!

Just FYI this is NOT a coffee bar (as in go get a cup), but a roaster. If you are in medical need of coffee now!, Wilson’s is not the spot.
However, Jim is a great guy and beans are wonderful! Call before you arrive if you’re going to just buy a pound or two, to be sure someone’s there. My Nicaraguan was $ 14 a pound and fresh out of the roaster.
Jim will help you find what you like, and there’s nothing like supporting local business! If you are a coffee nerd, you gotta go check it out.

Not only is it easier to go to Growers Ranch, but it’s cheaper, too. Significantly so. Their selection isn’t as good, but who cares?
Here’s hoping that other stores will start carrying Wilson Coffee soon.

Jim sells his beans by the pound too. Honestly, I can’t find a better bean. Our whole family is addicted. I relocated from NYC where every coffee spot seems good. Here in Orange County it’s much harder to find a good roaster. Wilson is next level for coffee at home.

Wilson Coffee Roasting was named Best Local Roaster Orange County 2014. The OC Weekly review reads:
Wilson Coffee hits every check mark – organic, fair trade, locally roasted, mom-​and-​pop – and gets brownie points for being historical. It began as Alta Coffee in 1984 (yep, that Alta Coffee), originally a business owned by Patti Spooner and Tony Wilson; after Alta sold in the 1990s, Wilson opened, well, Wilson. After he retired a couple of years back, a longtime employee asked to purchase the venture – turns out it was Spooner’s nephew. Today, the hunky Jim Schwartz runs Wilson as a one-​man show out of his Costa Mesa warehouse. His California Certified Organic Farmers-​approved organic beans are given a cleaner roast with the fluid bottom method, which means you can actually taste the beans in every cup and one of the reasons why Seaworth uses it for all its cold brews. Buy it at Grower’s Ranch in Newport Beach or try it at the North Left, Monkey Business, Ho Sum Bistro and a slew of other hip businesses. Soon enough, you’ll understand the slogan «If you’re out of Wilson Coffee, you’re fucked.»
And they’re starting their own cold brew!

So we were new to California and just looking for a coffee shop in Costa Mesa when we found Wilson’s. Awesome coffee and an atmosphere. Jim’s a super friendly guy and helped us out with directions and we bought some awesome coffee.

Had organic iced coffee from Wilson Coffee for the first time at Patchwork Arts and Craft Festival, Santa Ana. Nothing beats it for a refreshment on a sunny day out. It was brewed coffee without sugar and milk in glass bottle.

my daughter uses Wilson Coffee Roasting. she made me a cup of coffee the other day, one of the best cups of coffee I’ve ever had. I will be ordering some for myself.

What great coffee. We tasted many different coffees from different distributors and Wilson had has the best hands down. Great service along with better coffee. Not to mention the fact that it is free trade and organic.

Delicious coffee that is both fair trade and organic. Every roast is small batch so the coffee is always fresh and never stale. Go to Alta or the Gypsy Den to have Wilson Coffee! You won’t be disappointed.