Monogram Coffee grew out of the friendship between Ben, Justin, and Jeremy, who met as passionate baristas at the beginning of their coffee journey. Although each came from a different background—ranging from music to health sciences to software development—they were united by a shared curiosity and joy in exploring the world of coffee. They soon realized that the world of specialty coffee could seem too exclusive and elitist. So in 2014, they founded Monogram with the idea of making great coffee accessible to as many people as possible and creating a space where they could share it together. From the very beginning, their story has been rooted in “wonder and warmth”— curiosity, discovery, and a welcoming attitude.
They started out serving coffee from their own hand-built cart, but gradually grew into a team based in Calgary. Their team consists of people with diverse interests and experiences, but they are united by a shared commitment to helping customers find their own path to coffee. That’s precisely why they also created the Flavour Moods system, which categorizes coffees based on their dominant flavor profile. This allows customers to choose based on what flavor they’re in the mood for at the moment—from chocolate and nutty notes to fruity classics and bold, experimental coffees.
Monogram also bases its approach to roasting on flavor. Their signature Sweet Spot Roasting technique seeks the point at which the flavor fully develops, yet the cup remains smooth, balanced, and easy to drink. During roasting, they focus on the duration of the roast after the first crack, which they believe unlocks the coffee’s flavor potential and balances its acidity. They roast most of their coffee on a Loring S35 Kestrel, which, thanks to its high airflow, enables precise and repeatable roasting, while small batches of rare coffees are prepared on a Stronghold S7. They devote the same attention to sourcing their coffee. They build long-term, direct relationships with producers, working together on quality, flavor, innovation, and sustainability, and commit to purchasing their coffee every year.
Competitive experience is also a defining part of Monogram’s identity. The team has won a total of 10 Canadian Barista Championship titles and has repeatedly represented Canada at the World Barista Championship. It is precisely this experience that informs their daily work with coffee, from selecting green beans through roasting to the actual brewing process. Yet their ambition extends beyond competition results. Above all, Monogram aims to offer an accessible path to discovering coffee—one based on flavor, quality, sustainability, and, above all, the joy of shared discovery.
