The Story

I was born in Syria, but I grew up as a refugee in Yemen. My parents fled persecution, and from an early age I learned that survival often meant sacrifice. At twelve, I was already working to help feed my family of seven. We didn’t have much, but one thing always stayed with me—coffee.

In Yemen—the birthplace of coffee—the drink wasn’t just fuel; it was culture, connection, and resilience. I can still remember the aroma drifting through narrow streets, the small cups shared between neighbors who had little but gave generously. Coffee became, for me, a symbol of hope and continuity during years of instability.

In 2016, I immigrated to the United States with my wife and two young sons. Those first years weren’t easy. I walked into job interviews where I knew the decision had been made before I sat down—my ethnicity and background closed doors before I had the chance to speak. Yet America gave me something I had never experienced before: stability. For the first time, I had the space to dream.

That’s when coffee came back into my life.

I started roasting beans on a stovetop popper, standing side by side with my boys as we listened for the first crack. We laughed, we learned, and we breathed in the smell of transformation—green beans turning rich and alive. What began as a way to de-stress quickly became a passion. Over the years I tasted thousands of cups of coffee, roasted hundreds, experimenting, and refining.

I invited friends over for tastings, and I loved watching their faces light up in surprise: “I didn’t know coffee could taste like this.” Those moments of joy reminded me of Yemen, of connection, of resilience—and they gave me the courage to take the next step.

That’s how 390 Degrees Coffee was born.

The name comes from the temperature where coffee begins to transform. At 390 degrees, the bean cracks open—it changes forever. For me, it’s more than science. It’s a metaphor for my life: tested by fire, transformed by resilience, and ready to share something new with the world.

At 390 Degrees Coffee, every roast tells a story:

• A story of flavor—coffee that is smooth, balanced, and alive.

• A story of ethics—farmers paid fairly, child labor rejected.

• A story of place—each bean carrying the character of its land.

For me, coffee has never been just a drink. It’s a way to bring people together, to heal divisions, and to remind us that even through hardship, something beautiful can emerge.

When you drink 390 Degrees Coffee, you’re not just tasting a cup—you’re sharing in a journey. My journey. From refugee roots to roaster. From survival to stability. From bitterness to something unexpectedly sweet.

Welcome to my table.

— Izzy, Founder of 390 Degrees Coffee