Bringing quality coffee for everyone, the 38 Coffee way
It’s time to challenge the notion that a quality coffee experience must come at a steep price. In today’s local scene, affordable macchiatos have risen to the forefront, but among the brands, one in particular stands out by offering quality coffee for just P38.
“At first we really wanted to have our own café but then the investment was too big... so we came up with this one... and you can taste real coffee and a balance of sweetness,” said co-owner Williemae Joyce Go.
While a big café may require a significant capital, the couple-owned coffee brand called 38 Coffee was created with a much deeper purpose in mind: to bring people together over a great cup of coffee at a lesser price and without compromising the ingredients of a rich coffee experience.
Community market
38 Coffee is a labor of love, representing their passion for coffee, appreciation for the craft, and desire to make that love accessible to the community.
“We went through a lot of coffee tasting just to come up with this product because we are coffee lovers,” said co-owner Ralph Eduard So.
The coffee game in Cebu has been revolutionized by P39 coffee brands, but 38 Coffee is not your ordinary cup of Joe. With a unique and charming coffee experience priced P1 less, this brand has made a name for itself.
As the saying goes, “every peso counts,” and in today’s economy, 38 Coffee understands that. By saving just P1 per cup, you are saving P365 in one year (assuming you buy a cup of coffee per day). You can rest assured that the combined total you save per cup of coffee is going towards something worthwhile. And at the same time, you are supporting a local brand that values affordability and quality.
Commitment to authenticity
At 38 Coffee, authenticity is key, and the owners are committed to ensuring their three main ingredients — milk, coffee beans, and caramel — are of the best quality.
For milk, they went the extra mile to ensure that fresh Arla milk is poured into the cup at the time of order. And as for the coffee beans, Ralph said: “Our arabica beans are personally selected and sourced from plenty of countries, such as Vietnam and Malaysia.”
The caramel in the coffee is a personalized mixture specially created by the owners themselves. All these ingredients make 38 Coffee a solid go-to brand for a 16-ounce macchiato drink.
Despite only starting operations this year, 38 Coffee has already gained a strong foothold in the coffee market in Cebu. There are new branches popping up and the brand has already ventured outside Cebu Province and into Bacolod. This success is a testament to the brand’s excellence and appeal to coffee lovers in the region.
“We started conceptualizing 38 Coffee in December 2022 and opened our first two branches in the first week of January at Southwestern University and Abellana,” said Joyce. Ralph added: “As long as we continue to innovate, slowly but surely, I guess people will keep coming back.”
In addition to its coffee blend, 38 Coffee also introduced a new chocolate flavor that is sure to appeal to those who prefer a sweeter, richer taste.
Junquera branch
On May 12, 2023, 38 Coffee also expanded its reach at Junquera St., Cebu City. The franchise is owned by Andree Nathalie Salve and Yoshiaki Yamashita. The couple believed in the brand values of 38 Coffee and saw the passion of the brand owners.
“Joyce is my cousin, and I witnessed her dedication from coffee tasting down to the operations and I genuinely enjoyed the rich flavor of the coffee. It was easy to communicate and invest in 38 Coffee,” said Andree.
The franchise owners recognized the potential of the brand, and their strategic location on Junquera St. provides access to many students and dorm occupants.
“Right now, we’re focusing on marketing and letting people know that we’re here. We’re already expecting challenges along the way, but we see a good return so far. We are also very grateful with the outcome,” said Andree.
Against all odds, 38 Coffee’s secret to success lies in its ability to offer a quality coffee experience at an accessible price point. With its commitment to honesty and flavor, it is no wonder that 38 Coffee has quickly become a beloved and sought-after brand among coffee lovers in Cebu.
The 38 Coffee Junquera branch is open Mondays to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.