Coffee may not grow in North Dakota’s climate, but one rural company is proving it can still be at the heart of the brew.
MoJo Roast, a small-batch coffee roasting business based in Westhope, is shipping fresh-roasted beans across the country—offering high-quality coffee with a personal touch.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, coffee is the fifth-largest bulk export in the world, accounting for 7% of total global exports. And while the beans may come from faraway farms, MoJo Roast ensures they arrive in customers’ cups with care and precision.
“The roasting process is very detail-oriented,” said Reo Khalifa, operations manager at MoJo Roast. “It really makes you think from start to finish on every little detail.”
The business was founded in 2005 by Reo’s mother, Jo Khalifa. With no prior knowledge of coffee roasting, she was motivated by a simple goal: to find better coffee. When she couldn’t, she decided to learn how to make it herself.
“I couldn’t find really good coffee, and then my husband suggested I start roasting my own. I didn’t even know the process,” said Jo.
She began by practicing with a frying pan in her kitchen. “I hung the frying pan on the wall, bought some roasters, and here we are,” she added.
What started as an experiment has grown into a thriving business. MoJo Roast is now a registered member of the Pride of Dakota program and sells its products online, reaching coffee lovers nationwide.
For Jo and Reo, quality and transparency remain core values. Every batch is crafted with intention, from bean selection to roasting techniques.
Related topics:
- 7 Brew Opens in Newport, Donates Over $8,000 to WAVE Foundation
- SIC 2025 Unveils New Layout, Highlights World Barista Championship at Host
- Mazzer Unveils New Grind-by-Weight Mini G Grinder at SCA Expo