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Mayorga Coffee Factory
A community coffeehouse
BY PATRICIA B. GROSSMAN
PHOTOS BY JULIE WIATT
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Martin Mayorga is
passionate about beans—coffee beans, that is. Just
30 years old, he has already established himself as
one of the leading experts of coffee in the nation.
Born in Guatemala and raised in Nicaragua, Martin learned
at an early age what it takes to grow coffee.
In 1995 and 1996, while Martin was in college, he became
a coffee broker for his uncle, importing and roasting
green (unroasted) coffee in the United States. During
that time he realized coffee roasters were needed around
the DC area—there were no true experts. So in 1998,
he began importing the finest coffee beans and roasting
them in Rockville. The business at first was wholesale,
roasting imported beans from Latin America and East
Africa, supplying coffee to clients ranging from Dean
& DeLuca and Marvelous Market to Sam's and Costco.
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The Mayorga roaster.
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Now, Martin has opened Mayorga Coffee Factory, a brand-new
coffeehouse on the corner of Blair Mill Road and Georgia Avenue
in Silver Spring, where coffee drinkers can enjoy warm atmosphere
and freshly roasted coffee.
Despite his huge success, Martin continues to have great
respect for the small farmer, and insists on the finest and
most natural conditions to grow coffee. While many large corporations
destroy forests to operate coffee plantations in Central America,
Martin only buys coffees with the "Bird-Friendly"
label from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. The label
certifies that the coffee was grown without pesticides and
was shade-grown on a small farm beneath a natural tree canopy,
sparing bird habitat. His coffee is hand-grown, hand-picked,
hand-roasted and hand-ground.
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The atmosphere at the Factory.
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Mayorga Coffee Factory is Martin's first retail endeavor.
With the help of his general manager, Keith Andersen,
he opened the Factory on April 21.
The coffeehouse is posh and luxurious. As you walk
in the front door, the space is vast and inviting. Huge,
plush leather couches await you, and beautiful artwork
adorns the walls.
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Martin wants his coffeehouse to reflect the needs of his
customers and the community. For example, when the coffeehouse
first opened, a customer complained about the bagels and Martin
switched to another vendor.
"The menu is evolving into what the customer wants,"
Keith says of the standard sandwich fare. "We might be
serving hummus and tahini next month if we get a demand for
it."
A section of the coffeehouse is devoted to childrensmall
tables and chairs and toys are conveniently located for families
with children to come and enjoy. There's even a "Community
Room," where wire-less internet will be provided, and
space is available for poetry readings and open mic sessions.
On Saturday nights, it's standing room only at MayorgaKeith
brings in the best local musicians around. "All kinds
of music will be featured here, from jazz to folk to reggae
to blues," Keith says. "The artwork, all done by
local artists, will change every four to six weeks."
And about the coffee? On several occasions I've had their
house blend, which was strong but not bitter, and their cappuccino,
which was full-bodied with a creamy milk foam on top, as compared
to most places where the foam is only frothy.
Recently I had my first cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee,
considered the best and rarest bean of the coffee world. It
tasted almost like the smell of coffee beans grinding; a robust
coffee taste and not bitter. A full line of herbal, fruit
tea and caffeinated teas are available, as well as beer, wine
and margaritas.
"We want this place to be the third place," Keith
says. "First place is your home; second, your office,
and third, here."
Mayorga Coffee Factory is located at 8040 Georgia Avenue,
Silver Spring. Hours are Monday through Thursday 7 a.m.-10
p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m.-12 a.m., and Sunday 8 a.m.-6
p.m.
You can find out what is happening at mayorgacoffee.com
or by calling 301-562-9090.
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