Hidden Gems: Meet Adam Keough of Chivo Coffee Co

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Keough

Hi Adam, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Chivo Coffee Company is a collaboration between two families: Adam and Teresa Keough in El Salvador and Jake and Lauren Davis in North Carolina. The Keoughs source and roast coffee at origin, then send it to North Carolina where The Davis family connects our coffee to local markets and facilitates shipments nationwide.

Our story began with Adam and Jake’s childhood friendship in North Carolina. After graduating from UNCW, Adam joined the Peace Corps and moved to El Salvador. He worked with rural farmers to implement regenerative agricultural practices to protect water resources as part of the Blue Harvest initiative. This is a Non-Profit program that provides technical assistance to farmers, incorporating regenerative agricultural practices to support better access to specialty markets. Through his work with the Blue Harvest program, Adam developed a passion for specialty coffee and its potential to positively impact both the environment and local communities.

Jake also developed a love for hispanic cultures while majoring in Hispanic Studies at ECU and completing a semester abroad in Monterrey, Mexico. He was introduced to the coffee world while managing a coffee shop in college. His food service background combined with Lauren’s passion for nutrition as a Dietitian, laid the foundation for this Chivo connection.
In 2019, Adam and Teresa opened a café in El Zonte, El Salvador, sourcing and roasting locally. Though the café closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, their love for coffee and connection to local farmers remained strong.

Jake and Lauren opened their own small business in 2023, Lemonseed Botany Bodega, in North Carolina. Their goal was to provide propagated houseplants and homemade art to their local communities through markets and festivals.

Inspired by Jake and Lauren’s work with local markets in North Carolina, Adam reached out to The Davis family to create a partnership. The Chivo Coffee Company mission is to source the best specialty coffees and support regenerative farming practices in El Salvador. We also pay farmers above-market prices to improve livelihoods and roast locally in El Salvador, which retains economic value in local communities. We aim to make a meaningful impact while sharing exceptional coffee with our North Carolina community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting Chivo has come with its challenges, particularly in navigating international shipping logistics and compliance with regulations. Most coffee is shipped to the United States in bulk containers, where it’s roasted domestically. In contrast, we roast small batches at origin, ship to North Carolina, and then distribute to consumers nationwide. This unconventional approach required building relationships with local shipping carriers, negotiating rates for smaller shipments, and learning how to comply with FDA regulations for United States markets.

At times, it feels like we’re running a logistics company as much as a coffee company. However, these challenges have introduced us to incredible people who have offered advice and connected us with key partners. Thanks to these relationships, we’ve developed a reliable logistics network that feels like an extension of our team. Each individual helps us to bring Chivo to our coffee-loving consumers.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Chivo Coffee Company?
What sets Chivo Coffee Company apart is our direct connection to Salvadoran coffee farmers and local roasters. This connection allows us to deliver an exceptional cup of coffee from farm to cup. Unlike traditional models, our approach gives customers a unique, direct connection to the coffee’s origin and the professionals behind it. We pride ourselves on a quick turnaround from roasting to delivery. Our goal is for each cup of Chivo to be as fresh as possible, highlighting its unique notes and flavor profile.

We are proud to work with farmers dedicated to restoring and conserving natural resources, while promoting the long-term sustainability of Salvadoran coffee. These relationships allow us to source small, specialty lots that are often unavailable to U.S. roasters. We are bringing rare and extraordinary coffees to our customers nationwide.

At Chivo Coffee Company, we’re not just about great coffee. We’re about creating meaningful connections and supporting the people and practices that make specialty coffee possible. Here’s where you can find Chivo Coffee:

Local Markets: Chivo can be found around the Raleigh, N.C. area at local markets, fairs, and festivals. We post our whereabouts regularly on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chivocoffeeco/

Online store: Customers are able to purchase by the bag or sign up for subscription plans on our website: chivo.coffee

Wholesale: We’re actively seeking local cafes to partner with and bring Chivo Coffee Company to more people throughout the United States. Cafe owners can reach out to us directly through email at [email protected]

We’d love to spread the Chivo love to as many people as we can, so if you have any ideas or people you’d like us to connect to, please let us know!

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For us, success means making Chivo Coffee Company our full-time focus. In doing this, we would fully dedicate ourselves to growing our business. More importantly, this success would enable us to expand our impact: connecting with more farmers, creating additional opportunities for our roasters, and deepening the relationships we’ve built in both El Salvador and North Carolina.

Ultimately, success isn’t just about business growth—it’s about creating meaningful connections, supporting sustainable practices, and sharing extraordinary coffee with our communities.

Pricing:

• We strive to offer high-quality, specialty-grade coffee at a fair price. We want our price point to reflect the quality of our offerings while being obtainable to everyday people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chivo.coffee
• Instagram: @chivocoffeeco