In February 2025, amid drizzling weather, Emily Sirisup felt a strong desire to step outside her Seattle roots.
Having been raised in a family that worked in the service industry, with parents who owned Thai restaurants, her connection to coffee runs deep from her six-year tenure as a barista at Capitol Hill’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery.
This desire to explore her heritage led her and her partner, Cole Arneson, on a journey to Thailand, where they immersed themselves in the local coffee culture of her parents’ homeland.
Their itinerary took them to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, where they connected with dedicated coffee growers, including the esteemed Alexta Coffee Roasters.
Inspired by this experience, the couple envisioned a new coffee venture aimed at bringing the essence of Thai coffee culture to Seattle.
Nudibranch Coffee, named after the vibrant sea slugs of the Pacific Northwest and pronounced new-dih-brank, is set to open its doors this summer.
The business will focus on roasting and distributing coffees sourced from Thailand, available online and in local grocery stores.
To secure their first cafe space in North Seattle, they have launched a Kickstarter campaign, hoping to open that location in the fall of 2025.
If successful, Nudibranch Coffee will stand out as one of the rare establishments representing Thai coffee culture in the United States.
It is worth noting that, currently, there are no Thai coffee roasters or shops in Seattle, and Thai coffee beans are largely unheard of in the U.S. market.
While coffee cultivation has been part of Thailand’s agricultural landscape for centuries, a significant increase occurred in the 1970s when the government encouraged farmers to cultivate coffee beans instead of opium.
Reflecting the influences of the Thai climate, Nudibranch will feature unique blended drinks, including innovative combinations like orange juice with espresso.
The menu will also showcase distinctive beverages such as butterfly pea matcha, mochas made with the beloved malted chocolate drink Milo, and oliang, a Thai coffee brewed with brown sugar.
Sirisup and Arneson plan to have their beans roasted by Kuma Coffee, a reputable roaster in Seattle.
Their inaugural roast, named Single Origin Chiang Rai, is expected to capture delicious notes of apricot and plum with a clean finish.
Attending to the food menu, Sirisup anticipates collaboration with local Thai bakers, offering fresh sourdough bread and other items.
Moreover, Nudibranch will serve as a community hub, hosting latte art classes, displaying local art, and featuring guest chefs in its permanent location.
This direct-purchasing coffee operation is poised to serve as a healthier model for the supply chain, allowing them to work closely with the Alexta team, which consists of just seven skilled members.
The coffee beans they use are both shade-grown and organic, marking a significant moment as these beans will be introduced to the U.S. for the first time.
Arneson commended Sirisup’s efforts in fostering connections within the Thai coffee community, stating that they are yet to establish significant ties with the U.S. market.
They are optimistic about nudibranch Coffee’s potential for growth.
The initial batch of green beans arrived in May, followed by their roasting in early June.
Drawing from her experiences at Starbucks, where she played a key role in organizing the Starbucks Workers United union, Sirisup is determined to create a cafe that emphasizes the connection between coffee and its origins.
“We’re Thai-inspired coffee,” she declares, “But we want to make it relevant to the Pacific Northwest as well.”
Nudibranch Coffee is scheduled to launch its first official location in October 2025, with updates available through their Kickstarter page.
image source from：seattle
