Santa Barbara, with its rustic atmosphere and strong sense of community, is the perfect breeding ground for transforming the coffee industry. Locally based FRINJ Coffee is the first to produce a thriving coffee crop in California, proving that the climate of the tropics does not define the limits of the industry. “The goal of brewing is to optimize flavor for a personalized experience,” Jay Ruskey, owner and founder of FRINJ, explains as he pours over a light roast blend with hints of geisha florals and tangerine; just to my liking.