**DRINK EXCEPTIONAL COFFEES**

Four Letter Word is devoted to roasting beautiful coffees. Inspired by limitless possibility, we pursue coffees that move us. Our selections are guided by character, provenance, and the pursuit of meaningful sensory experiences.

**DEDICATION TO QUALITY**

Every great coffee begins long before it reaches our roastery. Its foundation is built by the producers whose skill, labor, and stewardship make these coffees possible.
We work closely with our partners to reinvest in their efforts and support continual improvement at origin. We are committed to transparency in our practices and accountability in the way we conduct business—with honesty, clarity, and respect.

**HOW WE ROAST**

Roasting should allow the coffee to speak for itself, revealing and honoring the subtle nuances that define its natural expression. We exercise precision and restraint — allowing each coffee to guide us, to highlight clarity, balance, and depth.

**OUR ROASTERS**

In Chicago, we roast on a **Probat Probatone 12KG.**
In Istanbul, we roast on a **Giesen G6.**

OUR STORY

Four Letter Word began in the summer of 2014, on the island of Burgazada, off the coast of Istanbul. Our goal was to create a cornerstone space for social life on the island —where impactful conversations on art, literature, love and life can take place over great coffee. In 2018, we brought the same spirit to Chicago.

Over the last 10 years, we’ve had the privilege of deepening our sourcing relationships, growing our wholesale partnerships and creating inviting, warm spaces for our community. We’re proud to work alongside our team of skilled, dedicated coffee professionals who keep us moving forward.

Four Letter Word, fondly 4LW, was founded by Eylem Ozkaya, Kevin Heisner & Ria Neri.

**PRESS & RECOGNITION**

**Sprudge** — *Build-Outs Of Summer* (June 2014)
**Vogue Türkiye** — *Burgazada 5 Favourites, Best Coffee* (August 2015)
**Monocle** — Print, Issue 88, Vol. 9, pp. 246–247 (November 2015)
**Brownbook** — Print, Issue 53, Vol. 9, p. 199 (Sept–Oct 2015)
**The Monocle Guide to Drinking & Dining** — p. 299 (2016)
**Monocle Travel Guide to Chicago** (2019)
**Food & Wine** — *The Best Coffee Shops in America* (2019)
**150 Coffee Shops You Need to Visit Before You Die** by Tuscher, Lea (2026)

CURRENT COLLECTION