You’re driving down Barton Road in Redlands, maybe heading toward Loma Linda or just killing time on a Saturday morning, and you see it. It’s not flashy. It doesn't have the hyper-minimalist, "everything is white marble and glass" vibe of a Los Angeles boutique cafe. But Stell Coffee & Tea Co is usually packed anyway.
It’s local.
Honestly, finding a place that manages to be both a serious roastery and a neighborhood hangout where people actually talk to each other is getting harder. Most spots now feel like libraries where you’re afraid to clink your spoon against the ceramic. Stell is different. It’s loud, it’s aromatic, and it’s been a fixture of the Inland Empire coffee scene since before "Third Wave Coffee" was a marketing buzzword people used to justify twelve-dollar lattes.
What’s the Deal with Stell Coffee & Tea Co Anyway?
If you’re looking for the origin story, you have to look at the community. Stell Coffee & Tea Co isn't just a shop; it’s a micro-roaster. That matters. When a place roasts their own beans on-site—or at least within their own ecosystem—you’re getting a flavor profile that hasn't been sitting in a distribution warehouse for three months.
They take the "Tea Co" part of their name surprisingly seriously too. Usually, at coffee shops, tea is an afterthought—a dusty bag of Earl Grey shoved in a drawer. Not here. They have a massive wall of loose-leaf options. It’s kinda overwhelming if you don't know what you’re looking for.
The vibe is very "Old Redlands." You’ve got college students from University of Redlands or Loma Linda University hunched over laptops, local retirees debating the news, and parents grabbing a quick caffeine fix. It’s a cross-section of the city.
The Roasting Process and Why Your Tongue Can Tell the Difference
Let’s talk about the beans. Most people just want "coffee-flavored coffee," and Stell does that well with their house blends. But if you're a nerd about it, you start noticing the nuances in their single-origin pours.
Roasting is part science, part vibes. You have to account for the ambient humidity in the Inland Empire, which fluctuates wildly, and the specific moisture content of the green beans. Stell tends to lean into a roast profile that highlights body. You aren't going to get those ultra-acidic, "tastes like a lemon squeezed into a battery" light roasts that some hipster shops love. Instead, it’s about balance.
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Think rich chocolates. Toasted nuts. Caramelized sugars.
They source beans from the usual suspects—Ethiopia, Colombia, Sumatra—but the way they handle the heat during the roast cycle is what defines the "Stell taste." It’s approachable.
Understanding the Menu Without Looking Like a Tourist
If it's your first time, the menu can look like a wall of text. Here is the lowdown on what actually hits.
The "Stellated" drinks are their signature. They are basically blended drinks, but they don't taste like the sugary ice-slush you get at a certain green-colored global chain. They have a more refined texture. If you want something hot, their lattes are consistent. The foam is micro-bubble quality—the kind that holds its shape until the last sip.
They also do a lot of seasonal stuff. Pumpkin spice? Sure, they do it, but it’s usually made with better ingredients than the chemical pumps used elsewhere.
Why Redlands Locals Are Obsessed
Redlands is a weirdly competitive coffee town. You have a lot of options. So why does Stell Coffee & Tea Co stay busy?
It’s the patio.
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Sitting outside on a crisp Inland Empire morning with a view of the mountains (on a clear day) is basically a local rite of passage. It’s about the "third space." In sociology, the third space is the place that isn't home and isn't work. It’s where community happens. Stell has mastered being a third space.
There’s a specific "lived-in" feeling to the furniture and the decor. It’s not trying to be an Instagram museum. It’s trying to be a cafe.
Is the Food Actually Good?
Usually, at roasteries, the food is a dry muffin that tastes like cardboard. Stell actually puts effort into the kitchen side of things. Their breakfast burritos and sandwiches are legitimate.
They aren't "fine dining," but they are exactly what you want when you’re caffeinated and realize you forgot to eat breakfast. The bagels are chewy. The ingredients are fresh. It’s solid, reliable fuel.
The Tea Situation: Not Just for People Who Hate Coffee
Let’s go back to that tea wall. If you’re a tea drinker, you know the struggle of getting a "latte" that’s just lukewarm milk with a hint of tea flavor. Stell handles tea differently. They understand steep times.
If you order a Rooibos or a heavy Assam, they aren't going to just hand it to you and let it over-steep until it’s bitter. They know what they’re doing. Their herbal blends are particularly popular for the evening crowd who want the vibe of the shop without the 2:00 AM insomnia.
Common Misconceptions About Stell
People think because it’s a "roastery" it’s going to be snobby. It isn't.
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You can walk in and ask for a "regular coffee" and they won't roll their eyes at you. At the same time, if you want to talk about the elevation of a specific Guatemalan bean, the baristas usually have the knowledge to go there with you. It’s a high-ceiling, low-floor kind of establishment.
Another misconception is that it’s just for students. While the laptop-to-table ratio is high, especially during finals week, it’s a very multigenerational spot.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
If you’re planning to drop by Stell Coffee & Tea Co, there are a few "pro moves" to make your experience better.
- Check the Roasting Schedule. Sometimes you can catch the scent of the roaster working in the back. It’s the best smell in the world.
- The Patio is Prime Real Estate. If you see an open table outside, grab it immediately. They go fast.
- Bring Your Own Mug. They’re cool about it, and it’s better for the planet anyway.
- Try the Bulk Beans. Don't just drink a cup there; take a bag home. Ask them when the beans were roasted—they’ll usually show you the date on the bag. You want beans that are between 3 and 14 days old for the peak flavor window.
- Look Beyond the Espresso. Their cold brew is notoriously strong. If you have a long drive ahead or a mountain of work, it’s the move.
The reality is that Stell Coffee & Tea Co represents a specific era of California coffee culture that is slowly being replaced by corporate clones. It’s gritty in the right places and polished where it counts. It’s a reflection of Redlands itself: historic, a little bit academic, and very focused on doing things the right way rather than the fast way.
Next time you’re in the area, skip the drive-thru. Park the car. Walk in. Smell the roasting beans. It’s a reminder that even in a world of instant gratification, some things—like a perfectly pulled shot of espresso or a properly steeped cup of Oolong—are still worth the five-minute wait.
For the best experience, aim for a weekday mid-morning. The rush has died down, the air is still fresh, and the baristas have a second to breathe and actually chat about what’s currently on the brew bar. Grab a bag of the "Stell House Blend" on your way out—it’s the most consistent way to bring a piece of Redlands home with you. Over the years, the shop has seen competitors come and go, but the commitment to small-batch quality has kept the doors open and the grinders humming. It’s a local gem for a reason.