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Unpacking Coffee Features Paul Katzeff of Thanksgiving Coffee
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From the Roastery
Unpacking Coffee is a celebration of coffee through episodes that focus on individual coffee roasters and their unique stories. The show’s hosts, Kandace and Ray, share a mutual love for all things coffee and created Unpacking Coffee to make the wide world of the specialty coffee industry more accessible.
In their newest episode, Kandace and Ray unpack Thanksgiving Coffee to find out what it means to be Not Just A Cup, But A Just Cup. They chat with Paul Katzeff about his political activism, and how his background in social work shaped the company that Thanksgiving would become.
“I was the first social worker to become a coffee roaster,” Katzeff told K-Ray. “When you bring two ideas together for the first time — or two professions together for the first time — you’re going to get an explosion of new ideas.”
This episode also features Roast Magazine‘s founder and publisher Connie Blumhardt, who provides some detail on everything that goes into the selection of Roaster of the Year.
“I think the most interesting thing about Thanksgiving winning, to still be a contender ahead of the curve and really stretching the limits of what most roasters do, was really impressive to me that they still have this amazing culture that they’ve adhered to for 30 plus years.”
So kick back with your favorite Just Cup, and enjoy this delightful episode all about Thanksgiving Coffee, made in some kind of Fort in Mendowhatnow California.
059 Thanksgiving Coffee from Needmore Designs on Vimeo.
Check out the Thanksgiving Coffee page, and the longer discussion with Paul Katzeff on the Unpacking Coffee website.
Recommended Reading
Back to the Blog-
![Simplifying to Serve You Better: A New Chapter in Our Coffee Journey]()
Simplifying to Serve You
The coffee landscape is dramatically different than it was when we began this journey 53 years ago.
In those early days, we built our lineup coffee by coffee — adding blends and single origins as new beans became available and relationships grew. For decades, harvests were plentiful and sourcing was straightforward.
Today, the world of coffee is evolving. Climate shifts, supply chain realities, and changing customer preferences mean we need to be as thoughtful and resourceful as possible to keep doing what we do best: bringing you exceptional coffee with integrity.
Change for the Better
We're streamlining our packaged coffee offerings, starting in September. With a simplified lineup of coffees, we'll focus on the blends and origins we can source consistently, roast with excellence, and deliver to you at the highest possible quality.
By simplifying our offerings, we will:
- Deepen our support for the farmers we work with through more focused purchasing.
- Maintain freshness and quality in every cup we roast.
- Stay nimble in a changing coffee landscape, so we can continue being your favorite coffee company for years to come.
What This Means For You
We know change isn’t always easy — especially when it means saying goodbye to a favorite. But change also creates space for something new.
- Nearly every retiring coffee has a suggested alternative: matched for flavor, roast level, and story.
- All coffees will remain listed on our website, so you can easily find info about alternatives or select a bulk purchase option.
- Cause Coffees: For special details on replacements and recommendations, visit our Cause Coffee page.
- Bulk options: Many coffees will still be available in 5 lb bags, even if they’re not sold in retail-size packaging. We’re happy to share our best practices for keeping coffee fresh in larger quantities.
Find Your Next Favorite Cup
We know you might be wondering, “What will replace my favorite?”
Here’s the list of our retiring coffees with the roasts we recommend in their place — each one carefully matched for flavor, roast, and story.
- ⏳ Albion River Inn Blend → Try Paul’s Blend
- ⏳ Beaujolais Blend → Try Old Town French
- ⏳ Costa Rica → Try Peru
- ⏳ Delicious Peace Dark → Try Mendocino Vienna
- ⏳Delicious Peace Medium → Try Rwanda
- ⏳ Guatemala → Try Song Bird Guatemalan
- ⏳ Hazelnut → Available in 5lb bag
- ⏳ MacCallum House Blend → Try Beaujolais FTO
- ⏳ Mocha Java FTO → Try Mocha Java Classic
- ⏳ Nicaragua → Try Song Bird Nicaragua
- ⏳ Vienna → Try Mendocino Vienna
- ⏳For Cause Coffees →See Cause Coffee Guide
Our Commitment Remains the Same
For over five decades, we’ve been devoted to ethically sourced, artisan roasted coffee — and that will never change. Every decision we make is rooted in our mission:
- Source with integrity
- Roast with care
- Honor the stories behind every coffee bean
Thank you for growing with us, embracing new favorites, and sharing our belief that coffee is more than a drink. It's a daily connection to people, to our planet, and our sense of purpose.
With gratitude since 1972,
The Thanksgiving Coffee Team
You might be interested in...
Sold outSold outSold out
Lavender Grace is the sustainability consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Simplifying to Serve You Better: A New Chapter in Our Coffee Journey
read more -
![Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg 2024]()
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg
The Noyo Food Forest is having their annual Earth Day celebration this Saturday at the Learning Garden. This four hour event is a fundraiser for the Farm-to-School and Youth Intern programs that the Noyo Food Forest operates year-round. We partner with the Noyo Food Forest throughout the year, and we especially love being a part of this annual event in Fort Bragg.
15th Annual Earth Day Event
Saturday, April 20, 12 - 4 PM
At the Learning Garden at Fort Bragg High School on Dana Street.This Earth Day event is free and geared toward everyone in the family. There will be live music, and you can participate by putting down a bid for the silent auction, paying entry to bouncy houses, and tasting goodies from local chefs. This is one of the most fun events that happens in the city of Fort Bragg every year. Local organizations and nonprofits are a big part of this event, and you’ll see booths and representatives from the Noyo Marine Science Center, the Mendocino Land Trust, our Mendocino County state parks and many more important parts of the coastal community.
Thanksgiving Coffee will be serving up samples of our Bee Bold Blend, our new Nitro Coffee, and the Noyo Food Forest will be selling 12oz bags, as well. All the proceeds benefit the Noyo Food Forest and their important work here in our community. We are very happy to be a part of this awesome event. For more information, visit the Noyo Food Forest Earth Day page on their website, and RSVP on Facebook to share with your friends. Join us on April 20 – see you at the Learning Garden.
Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Partnership with the Noyo Food ForestLearn more about how we support our Mother Earth
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg 2024
read more
Simplifying to Serve You
The coffee landscape is dramatically different than it was when we began this journey 53 years ago.
In those early days, we built our lineup coffee by coffee — adding blends and single origins as new beans became available and relationships grew. For decades, harvests were plentiful and sourcing was straightforward.
Today, the world of coffee is evolving. Climate shifts, supply chain realities, and changing customer preferences mean we need to be as thoughtful and resourceful as possible to keep doing what we do best: bringing you exceptional coffee with integrity.
Change for the Better
We're streamlining our packaged coffee offerings, starting in September. With a simplified lineup of coffees, we'll focus on the blends and origins we can source consistently, roast with excellence, and deliver to you at the highest possible quality.
By simplifying our offerings, we will:
- Deepen our support for the farmers we work with through more focused purchasing.
- Maintain freshness and quality in every cup we roast.
- Stay nimble in a changing coffee landscape, so we can continue being your favorite coffee company for years to come.
What This Means For You
We know change isn’t always easy — especially when it means saying goodbye to a favorite. But change also creates space for something new.
- Nearly every retiring coffee has a suggested alternative: matched for flavor, roast level, and story.
- All coffees will remain listed on our website, so you can easily find info about alternatives or select a bulk purchase option.
- Cause Coffees: For special details on replacements and recommendations, visit our Cause Coffee page.
- Bulk options: Many coffees will still be available in 5 lb bags, even if they’re not sold in retail-size packaging. We’re happy to share our best practices for keeping coffee fresh in larger quantities.
Find Your Next Favorite Cup
We know you might be wondering, “What will replace my favorite?”
Here’s the list of our retiring coffees with the roasts we recommend in their place — each one carefully matched for flavor, roast, and story.
- ⏳ Albion River Inn Blend → Try Paul’s Blend
- ⏳ Beaujolais Blend → Try Old Town French
- ⏳ Costa Rica → Try Peru
- ⏳ Delicious Peace Dark → Try Mendocino Vienna
- ⏳Delicious Peace Medium → Try Rwanda
- ⏳ Guatemala → Try Song Bird Guatemalan
- ⏳ Hazelnut → Available in 5lb bag
- ⏳ MacCallum House Blend → Try Beaujolais FTO
- ⏳ Mocha Java FTO → Try Mocha Java Classic
- ⏳ Nicaragua → Try Song Bird Nicaragua
- ⏳ Vienna → Try Mendocino Vienna
- ⏳For Cause Coffees →See Cause Coffee Guide
Our Commitment Remains the Same
For over five decades, we’ve been devoted to ethically sourced, artisan roasted coffee — and that will never change. Every decision we make is rooted in our mission:
- Source with integrity
- Roast with care
- Honor the stories behind every coffee bean
Thank you for growing with us, embracing new favorites, and sharing our belief that coffee is more than a drink. It's a daily connection to people, to our planet, and our sense of purpose.
With gratitude since 1972,
The Thanksgiving Coffee Team
You might be interested in...
Lavender Grace is the sustainability consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Simplifying to Serve You Better: A New Chapter in Our Coffee Journey
read more
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg
The Noyo Food Forest is having their annual Earth Day celebration this Saturday at the Learning Garden. This four hour event is a fundraiser for the Farm-to-School and Youth Intern programs that the Noyo Food Forest operates year-round. We partner with the Noyo Food Forest throughout the year, and we especially love being a part of this annual event in Fort Bragg.
15th Annual Earth Day Event
Saturday, April 20, 12 - 4 PM
At the Learning Garden at Fort Bragg High School on Dana Street.
This Earth Day event is free and geared toward everyone in the family. There will be live music, and you can participate by putting down a bid for the silent auction, paying entry to bouncy houses, and tasting goodies from local chefs. This is one of the most fun events that happens in the city of Fort Bragg every year. Local organizations and nonprofits are a big part of this event, and you’ll see booths and representatives from the Noyo Marine Science Center, the Mendocino Land Trust, our Mendocino County state parks and many more important parts of the coastal community.
Thanksgiving Coffee will be serving up samples of our Bee Bold Blend, our new Nitro Coffee, and the Noyo Food Forest will be selling 12oz bags, as well. All the proceeds benefit the Noyo Food Forest and their important work here in our community. We are very happy to be a part of this awesome event. For more information, visit the Noyo Food Forest Earth Day page on their website, and RSVP on Facebook to share with your friends. Join us on April 20 – see you at the Learning Garden.