Regent Coffee - Specialty Coffee

OUR STORY

From humble beginnings leaving their home and careers behind in China to pursue the American dream, coffee sparked the imagination. Owner and roaster Leon, his wife Di, and daughter are the heart of Regent Coffee.

Who We Are

My name is Leon and I have a passion for coffee. I was born, grew up, and lived in China until I was thirty-two. Coffee has always been interesting to me, and eventually it became a hobby of mine. Gradually "just a hobby" wasn't enough. After working at a bank for nine years, it was time for a change, and it was then I decided to open up my first coffee shop in China. I worked extremely hard on trying to create a business that so many young adults dream of. Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned, and ended up going back to the drawing board. This was the point where I delved into the deep well of coffee knowledge, attempting to learn everything I could about the subject. Many hours were spent reading books, studying my heart out. I experimented laboriously with roasting, and, as time passed, became even more fascinated and excited by coffee. Today, that same excitement is at the heart of my newest cafe here in the United States.

Why We Do

My daughter is a big part of my life, shaping what it has become. I decided that showing her it's okay to chase your dreams is very important. She was going to grow up with a dad who was always busy dealing with clients at the bank, instead of learning more about passion, and what it means to truly care about the work you're doing in life. When she was born, I started to go through the immigration process, and when she turned two, I finally made the decision to come to the United States and start my coffee business. I wanted to give her a life full of sunshine and happiness. A life full of life itself.

What We Do

At Regent Coffee, we prepare coffee with a purpose. Coffee is more than just a drink to us, it's our life. Scientifically, coffee contains over 1,000 chemical compounds and four different flavors. These are Acidity, Sweetness, Bitterness, and Saltiness. When you are really enjoying a cup of coffee, it means you are tasting a perfect combination of each of these flavors; That's our goal: to make sure you have the perfect cup.

Where We Are Going

The philosophy behind Regent Coffee is "Furinkazan" which means "Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain." This is a Japanese popularized version of the battle standard used by the Sengoku period daimyo Takeda. This is a phrase that quotes four phrases from Sun Tzu's The Art of War. The whole phrase is "as swift as wind, as gentle as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as mountain." This is how I see Regent Coffee. Especially as a mountain; one that is unshakable. We want to build and grow with honor and to spread our name. We want others to learn more about coffee, understand it, bringing happiness to every sip.