Caffe Pacori

Eric Pierce founded Caffe Pacori in Eugene, Oregon, building the business around an uncommon roasting method: coffee roasted over an open fire fueled by certified sustainable hardwoods, rather than the gas or electric drum roasters most specialty roasters use. The company says the wood fire produces a smokier, sweeter, less acidic bean that's easier on the stomach than conventionally roasted coffee. Beans start as high-grade Arabica sourced from growers worldwide, then ship in biodegradable paper bags carrying hand-pulled, screen-printed labels made with water-based ink - a packaging process done by hand rather than machine-printed. From the shop at 255 Wallis Street, Pacori sells whole bean coffee by the pound, distributes to more than ten local retailers, and pours ready-to-drink cold brew at select locations, alongside a free local delivery service that runs set routes: Eugene and Springfield Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Creswell and Cottage Grove Wednesday; Junction City, Monroe and Brownsville Thursday. Eugene Weekly readers have singled out one detail of the shop for recognition - its bathroom, voted Best in Eugene - a small, specific distinction for a roaster whose main claim rests on the wood fire itself.