We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabriel Porrata. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabriel below.

Gabriel, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

When I opened Latitud Coffee, it wasn’t just because I love coffee—it was because I wanted to bring a little piece of home with me from Puerto Rico.

For as long as I can remember, coffee has been more than just a drink in my family. Three o’clock in the afternoon was sacred: my grandma would put the “greca” on the stove, my “Tios” would come home from work, my cousins would drop whatever they were doing, and we’d all gather on the table to drink coffee and talk about life. It was that one moment when everything slowed down, where coffee tasted like home, like laughter, like stories from the past.

When I moved away from the island, I realized how much I missed that ritual. It wasn’t just about the coffee; it was about the connection, the pause, and the feeling of home. And that’s when it hit me: why not create a place with that same vibe? A space where people can sit down, slow down, and enjoy coffee made with love—just like my grandma used to make it.

On top of that, Puerto Rican coffee is a hidden gem, and I felt like it didn’t get the recognition it deserved. I wanted to put it on the map, serve it with pride, and share its story with everyone who walked through the door. But more than anything, I wanted Latitud Coffee to feel like those afternoons on my grandma’s table—warm, familiar, a place where there’s always a cup waiting for you.

It’s not just about selling coffee; it’s about bringing a piece of my story to others. And if every cup makes someone feel a little more at home, then I know it was all worth it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Gabriel Porrata and I’m the founder of Latitud Coffee, a coffee shop that was born out of my love for coffee and my desire to share a little piece of Puerto Rico with others. I never thought I’d end up in this industry, but when I realized how much a good cup of coffee can mean to someone, I knew this was my path.

Coffee has always been a big part of my life—not just because of the taste, but because of everything it represents. For me, coffee means long conversations, moments of pause, spontaneous laughter. It’s that smell that makes you feel at home, even when you’re far away.

Latitud Coffee started as a simple idea: I wanted a place where people could come not just to grab a coffee but to truly enjoy it. I wanted it to be a space where you feel comfortable, where you’re welcomed with warmth, and where every sip takes you somewhere special.

What makes Latitud Coffee unique is that everything here has a story. From the beans we choose to the way we serve each cup, everything is done with care so that you can feel the love behind it. We work with Puerto Rican coffee because we believe it’s some of the best in the world, and we want more people to experience it.

What makes me proudest is when someone comes in and tells us that our coffee reminded them of home, of their family, of a special time in their life. That makes me feel like we’re doing something bigger than just selling coffee—we’re creating memories.

If you love good coffee and places where you feel welcome from the moment you walk in, Latitud Coffee is for you. Stop by anytime—the cup is always ready.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

If there’s one thing that defines Puerto Ricans, it’s resilience. Growing up in Puerto Rico means learning from an early age that no matter what happens, we keep moving forward, vamos siempre “pa’ lante”. I’ve seen it in my family, in my friends, in the coffee farmers I work with, and in every person who has had to rebuild their life after a storm.

When I opened “Latitud Coffee”, I knew I wanted it to be more than just a coffee shop. I wanted it to represent that strength, that ability to rise and keep going. Many coffee farmers on the island have endured hurricanes, economic crises, and enormous challenges to keep their crops alive. But instead of giving up, they adapt, find solutions, and plant again. That fighting spirit is in every cup of coffee we serve.

Puerto Rican resilience isn’t just about enduring hardships—it’s about turning them into motivation. It’s about people stepping outside after a hurricane and sharing the little they have with their neighbors. It’s in the music, the laughter, the warmth that remains, even in the toughest times. It’s in the farmer who, after losing everything, returns to the land with the hope that the next harvest will be better.

That mindset is what pushed me forward when I started Latitud Coffee. There were moments when I thought I wouldn’t make it, when things didn’t go as planned, when giving up seemed easier. But every time I had doubts, I thought about my people, and I remembered that in Puerto Rico, we never give up.

More than just a coffee shop, Latitud is a tribute to that resilience. Every cup tells a story of effort, tradition, and love for our island. And if there’s one thing I want people to feel when they come here, it’s that no matter how many times life tests us, we always find a way to rise—stronger than before.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success comes quickly and easily. Growing up, I saw many stories of people who made it big fast, especially in business. Whether it was through a viral moment, a big investor, or just pure luck, it seemed like success could happen overnight.

But when I started Latitud Coffee, I quickly realized that wasn’t the reality. Success isn’t about rushing to the finish line. It’s about the process, the small wins, and the persistence that keeps you going, even when things aren’t moving as fast as you want.

I had to unlearn the idea that I had to hit milestones immediately. The truth is, building something meaningful takes time. Whether it’s cultivating relationships with coffee farmers in Puerto Rico or creating a welcoming atmosphere in the shop, everything needs patience. There were many days when I thought, “Am I doing this right? Is this going to work?” But I learned to embrace those moments of doubt as part of the journey, not as signs of failure.

What I’ve learned instead is that success is about staying true to your vision, no matter how long it takes to get there. It’s about resilience, not rushing through. And every step, every challenge, and every little win along the way is just as important as the big moments you might dream about.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latitudcoffeeco/

Image Credits

Ninoshka Vega – https://www.instagram.com/ninoshkavegaphotography/