Hydrangea Coffee Roasters is a small specialty coffee roastery in Berkeley, California, founded by Bill Li and Shuxin. It focuses on light, fruity, and distinctively processed coffees that will be especially appreciated by people who enjoy discovering new flavor profiles. Their world of coffee is colorful, a bit unexpected, and curious, but still firmly grounded in origin, processing, and the quality of the final cup.
Bill’s journey into coffee began in high school thanks to a chemistry teacher who showed him just how scientific coffee preparation can be. Later, while studying at Berkeley and working as a software engineer , he began experimenting with roast profiles, and roasting for friends gradually evolved into the thriving Hydrangea project. Shuxin and Bill present the brand as a personal project centered on coffee and a community of people who enjoy its unique and diverse world. A key part of the brand’s identity is the illustrations of flavor notes by Debstep Dopstop and Helen Chen, which make it easier for customers to choose coffee based on the flavor profile they’re in the mood for.
Hydrangea’s approach is based on three pillars: Process, Terroir, and Discovery. Process showcases the possibilities of modern fermentation techniques; Terroir focuses on flavors influenced by region, climate, and variety; and Discovery features Bill’s selections for curious coffee lovers. Roasting takes place over the weekend based on the weekly order schedule, and the coffee is then shipped to customers at the beginning of the week. Hydrangea also recommends letting the coffee rest after roasting—typically two to three weeks for both drip and espresso—with most of their coffees reaching their peak flavor around the fourth to sixth week after roasting.
Hydrangea Coffee Roasters has also achieved significant competitive success in the field of hand-brewed filter coffee. Ashlynne Wike of Hydrangea Coffee Roasters took second place at the 2026 U.S. Brewers Cup and also won first place in the Round 1 Compulsory category. This result complements the roastery’s focus on distinctive, carefully selected coffees and flavor profiles that stand out even in a competitive setting.
From left: Esther Kim, Ashlynne Wike of Hydrangea Coffee Roasters, and Peace Sakulclanuwat.
Photo: Thunya Penbumrungvong.