Ecuadorian tradition
A love story, a family heritage, and a country's finest coffee, brought together one bag at a time.
Ceci & Tim
From Ecuador to Minnesota — where our story crosses paths
Our story began on June 15, 2023, when we had our first date at Claddagh Coffee in Saint Paul. Naturally, we chose a coffee shop, because we wanted a place where we could talk, get to know each other, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.
There was a spark from the moment we met. One of the funniest memories from that first date: Ceci asked Tim to order her coffee for her, since the menu was in English and quite different from the coffee menus back home in Ecuador.
Our relationship grew naturally, openly, and effortlessly. We fell in love, became partners, got married, and today we continue building our life together.
Saint Paul, Minnesota — where it all began
Sharing a taste of home
After we started living together, Ceci began sharing more of Ecuadorian culture with Tim — cooking traditional dishes from home, and introducing him to the way coffee is enjoyed in Ecuador and the incredible quality behind it. As he tasted it, Tim quickly realized there was something truly different: the rich aroma, the smooth flavor, and the experience of drinking exceptional coffee.
An idea born over coffee
We both love visiting coffee shops — it's one of our favorite ways to relax and spend time together. But as we explored coffee after coffee, we noticed something surprising: we rarely saw Ecuador mentioned on any coffee package. That made us wonder why such an extraordinary coffee-producing country remained largely unknown. That's when the idea was born — to bring Ecuadorian coffee to people who truly appreciate great coffee, and let them discover what they'd been missing.
What began as a simple first date over coffee became a shared dream. Tim discovered the richness of Ecuadorian coffee through Ceci, while Ceci discovered that sharing her country's coffee was a way to share her heritage. Together, we created Woven Bean Coffee Co. to bring that experience to others.
Where the story truly starts — Ecuador's coffee highlands
The meaning behind Woven Bean
Our name and logo were inspired by two things that represent Ecuador: our coffee, and the iconic toquilla straw hat. For Ecuadorians, the toquilla hat is much more than an export product — it represents identity, history, and the pride we carry for our homeland.
Woven Bean represents two things woven together: the handwoven toquilla straw hat, one of Ecuador's most treasured traditions, and the coffee bean itself. Together they symbolize craftsmanship, heritage, family, and the journey from Ecuador to your cup.
Ecuador is one of the few countries in the world where coffee is grown in four distinct regions: the Coast, the Andes, the Amazon, and the Galápagos Islands. These unique growing environments help position Ecuador among the world's finest specialty coffee producers.
The Andes — one of Ecuador's four coffee-growing regions
Sharing Ecuadorian coffee means weaving Ceci's dreams together with the roots of her family and her ancestors — a tribute to the hard work of our coffee farmers, and a reflection of the pride she carries in her heart for Ecuador.
Just as the fibers of the toquilla hat are woven together to preserve generations of tradition, we weave the dream of sharing exceptional coffee that connects people to the land, to family, and to the enduring legacy of Ecuador's coffee growers. Every cup is woven with love, tradition, and pride.
What we build this on
Our story is built on a genuine connection — first between the two of us, and now with the land and people of Ecuador. We don't just source coffee; we honor the legacy, traditions, and hands of the local farmers who cultivate it across four unique regions.
We believe every cup should be an exceptional experience. By bringing coffee grown under the highest specialty standards, we ensure every bean reflects the rich aromas, distinct flavors, and true excellence of premium Ecuadorian coffee.
Coffee brought us together on our very first date, and we believe it has the power to connect others too. Our mission is to share this liquid treasure with coffee lovers in the USA, building a bridge between cultures and a warm community around every brew.
Just like the iconic toquilla straw hat weaves threads of history, we weave our identity into everything we do. We operate with transparency and immense pride, celebrating Ecuadorian heritage and the hard work of our ancestors.
Woven Bean Coffee Co. is launching soon. Follow along as we bring Ecuadorian coffee, and the story behind it, to your cup.