Grown, roasted, & packaged by Puerto Rican hands.

Why Wepa Coffee Exists

Puerto Rico grows some of the best high-quality Arabica coffee beans in the world. The island’s volcanic soil, mountain climate, and ocean breezes create beans full of flavor. Yet for years, U.S. stores gave more space to Colombian and Brazilian coffee than to Puerto Rican coffee.

The founders of Wepa Coffee wanted to change that. Living between Puerto Rico and the mainland, they saw how rare it was to find 100% Puerto Rican Arabica coffee in cafés or markets. Too many “local” brands mixed beans with cheaper imports. 

Their mission is clear: To share Puerto Rican coffee in its purest form and honor the culture that makes it special.

Our Perspective

At Hedman Soto, we first discovered Wepa while exploring new Latin pantry staples. We knew that we needed to have a coffee in our pantry collection. The flavor impressed us, but even more so was the promise to keep every part of production Puerto Rican.

That originality made it clear this was a brand we wanted to share and collaborate with. The company is based in Rincón, not far from where I grew up.

Learn more about our mission to support Latino makers in our About Us story.

What “¡Wepa!” Means

For Puerto Ricans, “¡wepa!” is more than a word — it symbolizes joy and identity. It expresses pride and celebration, from everyday greetings to moments of victory. ¡Wepa!” started in Puerto Rican Spanish, but across the Spanish language is used to greet and celebrate. Variations of wepa are also common in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, showing how joy spreads through the Caribbean (and Latin America).

Wepa Coffee carries that same spirit. The brand doesn’t just sell beans; it shares a feeling of celebration, community, and pride. The packaging also reflects this energy, with bold text and nostalgic island colors that stand out on any shelf.

100% Puerto Rican Arabica Coffee

Every bag of Wepa contains only Arabica beans grown on the island. Farms in San Sebastián, located in the Cordillera Central mountains, with ideal growing conditions, supply Wepa Coffee. These mountains have supported coffee farming since the 19th century.

This region is perfect for coffee thanks to:

• Volcanic soil rich in minerals

• Cool mountain air that slows growth for complex flavors

• Ocean breezes that balance the tropical climate

The result is authentic Puerto Rican coffee grown entirely by local farmers.

Explore more flavors from Puerto Rico in our Pantry Collection.

Roasting with Craft and Care

Roasting takes place with a third-generation family roaster in San Sebastián. Instead of running a coffee production on a large scale. Wepa chooses to keep roasting local and preserve traditions passed down for decades.

Through trial and error, they made a medium-dark roast that matches local tastes and adapts to different brewing methods.

Expect flavor notes of:

• Dark chocolate

• Caramel

• Toasted hazelnut

• A bright pop of dried cherry

This roast delivers warmth and depth without the bitterness often found in darker roasts.

When the beans hit hot water, the room fills with aromas of chocolate and caramel. The first sip is smooth, warm, and layered, with a spark of cherry brightness at the finish.

Puerto Rican Culture in Every Cup

With each sip, Wepa Coffee connects you to Puerto Rican life. It recalls the warmth of Abuela's kitchen, the joy of a neighbor’s greeting, and the applause after landing in San Juan.

For Puerto Ricans in the U.S., it brings back the taste of home. For others, it offers an authentic way to experience the island’s culture — joyful, welcoming, and full of life.

Discover more traditions in our Food Guides.

Packaging That Tells a Story

Wepa designs its packaging with the same care it gives to flavor. The packaging highlights the spirit of “wepa” with bold letters. The colors honor vintage Puerto Rican products and bring back the spirit of supporting local makers.

The style is both nostalgic and modern. It celebrates Puerto Rico’s history of creativity and invites a new generation to support local craftsmanship.

Supporting Puerto Rican Farmers and Communities

Wepa Coffee is grown, roasted, and packaged by Puerto Rican hands. Every step happens on the island, so every dollar stays local.

Each purchase supports:

• Farmers and their families

• Roasters who preserve tradition

• Shops and small businesses that keep the economy moving

A dollar spent on Wepa multiplies as it circulates, strengthening the community far beyond the farm.

Why 100% Puerto Rican Matters

From the beginning, Wepa made a promise: 100% Puerto Rican Arabica, or nothing.

Many companies mix local beans with imports to cut costs. Wepa refuses to compromise. By staying true to Puerto Rican farmers, the brand protects both quality and culture.

As Wepa grows, this promise remains at the center of everything they do.

Looking Ahead

Wepa Coffee is expanding its reach into the US market. Aiming to serve coffee lovers who look for premium single-origin beans. Already available in the States, Hedman Soto proudly carries it as one of the first U.S. partners. Wepa reaches the Puerto Rican diaspora, communities outside the island who hold on to Puerto Rican traditions and flavors.

The future includes:

• Wider retail distribution in U.S. cities

• Cold Brew Bags for cocktails and iced drinks

• Partnerships, cultural events, and collaborations that bring people together

For Wepa, growth is about more than sales. Puerto Rican pride and giving the island’s coffee the global respect it deserves are what they are about.

For us, it’s not just a product — it’s a way to help write the next chapter of Puerto Rican coffee’s story.

How to Enjoy Wepa Coffee

Wepa’s medium-dark roast works across brew methods: French press, espresso, drip, or pour-over. It tastes smooth, hot, refreshing over ice, and delicious in creative drinks.

The founders’ favorite? Using Wepa’s Cold Brew Bags in a cocktail — a fun, modern twist that proves coffee and celebration belong together. We do not carry the Cold Brew Bags yet, but can't wait to bring it to our assortment next Spring. 

In my own kitchen, I serve Wepa when friends come over. It sparks conversation - not just about coffee, but about heritage. For us, hosting isn't just about food, it's about showing care. Take this coffee with you from Rincon to San Juan to New York.

Experience Wepa Coffee at Hedman Soto

At Hedman Soto, we’re proud to feature Wepa Coffee in our pantry collection. It tells a story of heritage, joy, and Puerto Rican community strength.