PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – You may need a cup of coffee to get started after the long holiday weekend. CBS3 is the perfect venue for a caffeine outing in Kensington, known as the first and only Vietnamese coffee roastery in Philadelphia.
Just meters from SEPTA’s Electric Train in Kensington, your next cup of coffee awaits, but on J Street, “Caphe” coffee is spelled.
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“Caphe means coffee in Vietnamese,” said Thu Pham.
Caphe Roasters is the only place to specialize in Vietnamese coffee throughout Philadelphia.
“Vietnamese coffee is prepared in the traditional way, which is slow drip coffee over condensed milk,” Pham said. “You get a lot of nut and earthiness and woodiness. So it gives you the “umph” you want in the morning. You have a cup of it and it will literally keep you going all day. “
That shock and taste all comes down to the beans.
Thu Pham is the co-founder and owner of Caphe Roasters.
She picks all her robust beans from Vietnam and several other Southeast and East Asian countries.
“The most popular is our Vietnamese espresso blend,” Pham said.
Pham opened this physical location to the Caphe Roasters, complete with a tea bar and fully equipped kitchen in 2021. But only after building a subsequent first through roasting coffee.
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“This is my baby,” Pham said.
Her work here in the roastery is so popular that her Vietnamese coffee is now sold in retail locations throughout Philadelphia and the country.
You can still find her frying, tagging and packing even in Kensington up to 35 hours a week.
“This is the definition of a small business,” Pham said. “It also does not feel like a small business because the demand is so high, which is great.”
She even helps boost other Asian-owned small businesses through space for pop-up stores.
The day CBS3 was at the coffee shop, the environmentally conscious housing store “Blum” was on display.
“We all know each other and support each other,” said Blums co-owner Ming Cao. “I think that’s what’s special about this community. I’m just grateful to the Philly AAPI community. “
Collaboration and community make Caphe Roaster a one-stop-shop as a company with impact.
You may need a good cup of coffee to get started today after the long weekend. When you get up, you step into this beautiful space where the only Vietnamese specialty coffee is roasted in Philly. But the owner’s mission goes far beyond prayer. Next on @CBSPhilly. #AAPIHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/0aAin2fVMs
– Jan Carabeo (@ JanCarabeoCBS3) 31 May 2022
“We want people to have their senses activated when they are here, so good food, good drinks, good moods,” Pham said.
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The Caphe Roasters’ mission does not stop there either. Pham also collaborates with the educational non-profit organization 12 Plus. She donates a portion of her profits and hires school students from Philadelphia and Camden to work in the store.
