About
About Local Joe Coffee Roasters
Local Joe Coffee Roasters is a Black-owned Honolulu specialty coffee roaster founded in 2015 by Charles Asselbaye.
Asselbaye is a Peet's-trained roastmaster who was born in France, raised in Central Africa and educated in the United States. He roasts on a Probat drum roaster for 12 to 20 minutes at 180 to 240 degrees Celsius, a longer roast the company says reduces acidity, and adds Hawaiian volcanic water to humidify the beans and control their temperature. The roastery serves its coffee at its own café on North King Street in Chinatown, including a 100% Hawaii coffee of the day, and sells beans online. Local Joe also caters birthdays, corporate events and weddings.