On a sunny afternoon along 16th Street, a unique wooden tray makes its way to your table, featuring three pink-red cups, a beaker-like glass of sparkling water, and a golden spoon. The three cups offer exquisite coffee and milk sourced from Japan. Accompanying the arrangement is a laminated card filled with details akin to a chemistry flashcard, declaring “no substitutions, limited quantity.”
The coffee experience is part of the latest innovative offering from SPRO Coffee, created by Liza Otanes and Rich Lee. Since its launch in summer 2024, SPRO Coffee has become one of the few establishments in San Francisco to provide guided coffee services. Lee, an esteemed judge in international coffee competitions, aims to introduce the local caffeine enthusiasts to the refined tastes found in competitive coffee drinking.
This particular tasting is crafted by 2025 U.S. Barista Champion Kay Cheon. The set includes espresso, a cappuccino, milk, and sparkling water—elements that mirror the standard setup found in barista competitions. The milk used in this tasting showcases Cheon’s expertise: it undergoes a freezing process for 72 hours, additional refinement for an extra 30 hours, and is then mixed with both coconut milk and cryodesiccated milk from Hokkaido. Cheon’s accomplished presentation inspires further creativity from Lee.
While some modifications are permitted, the guided coffee service is priced starting at $21. The final price may vary based on the espresso option chosen, with the spring 2025 offerings featuring Colombian coffee—one option priced at an extra $1.50 and the other at $10.
For casual coffee drinkers, this experience packs a hefty dose of flavor and caffeine, particularly for those who prefer black coffee. Guests are directed to savor the espresso first, then transition to the milk, followed by “the union” (the cappuccino), and finally, to take another sip before reflecting on each drink. To heighten the sensory experience, the guide requests that attendees queue up the song “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
The tasting reaches its peak with a rare Ombligon varietal, roasted by Be Bright Coffee in Los Angeles. The espresso boasts a vibrant flavor profile with bold notes of watermelon and malty dark chocolate, paired with hints of cherry and raspberry. The taste creates a beautiful balance of bitterness reminiscent of stoneground dark chocolate. In contrast, the less intense Colombian roast, available at a lower price, offers a more harmonious tasting experience across all drinks, leaving your palate adequately prepared.
An introspective moment may sweep over you, akin to the poignant scene with Keanu Reeves in Always Be My Maybe, triggering an emotional response as you sip and listen to the music. If you can push past any self-consciousness, harnessing the deliberate and enjoyable process of drinking coffee becomes an enriching experience. Instructions encourage guests to allow the flavors to linger and to embrace the memory of the sensations and tastes.
The coffee and music pairing reflects Lee’s extensive background collaborating with baristas competing at the national level. He previously worked alongside competitor Jason Yeo from Saint Frank Coffee, who narrowly finished in third place at the national competition. Since that time, SPRO Coffee has firmly established its presence in San Francisco, expanding beyond its initial Spark Social truck and Castro café with two additional locations in Civic Center as of 2023.
Lee is projected to head to Milan this summer to prepare for the international barista competition, harboring a desire to share his experiences and knowledge with the San Francisco community. Currently, SPRO Coffee operates four locations across San Francisco, with this guided coffee tasting experience available at both the 500 Church Street and 525 Golden Gate Avenue venues.
For coffee aficionados, the meticulous attention to detail at SPRO Coffee promises a rich and immersive experience, setting the stage for a new kind of coffee appreciation.
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