Francis Kungu
/For Francis Kungu, coffee has always been about connection to culture, community, and the people behind every bean. What started as a small coffee importing company during uncertain times evolved into Fire Lily Coffee, a local roastery rooted in resilience, storytelling, and direct caring relationships with Kenyan farmers. During the pandemic, Francis and his wife Maya started roasting small batches of coffee and delivering to people’s porches themselves. The business grew slowly through farmers markets and word of mouth, but the goal stayed the same: To create a product and mission that brings people together.
Thank you, Francis, for sharing the heart and passion behind your work and for showing how coffee can carry stories and make people feel more connected to others.
Wine Barrel Art
The wine barrel art that represents Francis’ story is located in tipsu palach Park in Dundee. The barrel was hand-painted by local artist Benjamin Cahoon.
tipsu palach Park
1440 Southwest Alder Street, Dundee, OR 97115
Francis’ Story
ORIGIN STORY
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Our journey started in 2016 with our coffee importing company, Jamii Coffee. During the pandemic, we faced a lot of challenges, and that’s when we decided to pivot into roasting. We began roasting small batches of Kenyan coffee in Newberg, marketing through Facebook, and delivering them to porches. Soon after, we started doing farmers markets — including a short but meaningful stint at the Dundee Farmers Market, which launched during that time.
We began as Exilior Coffee, and this year we rebranded to Fire Lily Coffee in partnership with Student Work at Portland State University. The name comes from the Fire Lily flower - a symbol of resilience, renewal, and beauty born from adversity - all qualities that define our journey.
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All three - but most of all, connection. Coffee has always been central to Kenyan culture and economic wellbeing; it’s where communities thrive. We wanted to bring that same spirit here — to create coffee that connects people to place, to memory, and to one another.
THE CRAFT
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We roast with intention - honoring both the science and the soul of the bean. Our goal is to highlight the natural flavors that come from Kenya’s incredible terroir, while crafting profiles that speak to different people - from deep and bold to bright and nuanced.
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All our coffee comes directly from smallholder farmers in Kenya. These are relationships we’ve built over time with people who care deeply about quality and the land they farm. We look for beans that tell a story — that reflect care, sustainability, and a strong sense of place. Every coffee we roast is a collaboration between us and the farmers.
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That it’s both an art and a science. You can have all the data in the world, but you still have to listen to the coffee - the aroma, the sound of the crack, the color. It’s such a sensory process. The challenge - and the beauty - is translating what the bean has to offer without losing its natural essence.
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All our roasts are signature roasts. Each one embodies a cause that’s integral to our mission and vision. Savannah pays homage to environmental sustainability, Zawadi supports education, Champion represents youth empowerment, and Binti celebrates women’s empowerment. Each roast tells its own story while contributing to something bigger.
FLAVOR & FEELING
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Vibrant, grounded, and full of quiet hope — like the sun peeking through clouds after rain.
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Bold / Authentic / Passionate
COMMUNITY & CONNECTION
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Absolutely. Many customers tell us that our coffee reminds them of their Kenyan safari or mission trip - even if they haven’t been back in decades. Moments like that capture what we strive for: creating bridges across generations, continents, and memories through something as simple as a cup of coffee.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BEANS
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Fire Lily Coffee is run by my wife and me, along with a small, passionate team. We all believe that every role contributes to something bigger - empowering lives through coffee. Whether it’s roasting, packaging, or sharing our story, everyone brings heart and purpose to what we do.
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We live our values every day - empowerment, transparency, and connection. We believe that when knowledge is shared, it becomes empowerment. That’s why we focus on direct relationships with farmers and authentic connections with our customers. It’s about doing good through something we love.
ROOTS IN DUNDEE
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When I moved here in 2008, Dundee just felt right. It’s small, close-knit, and full of community spirit. There’s a real appreciation for craft and authenticity here - values that align perfectly with who we are. We wanted to bring something special to the area - not just coffee, but a space for connection.
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Dundee has taught us that growth doesn’t always mean going bigger - sometimes it means going deeper. That’s shaped how we approach business and community - reminding us that every interaction matters. It’s also inspired us to refine our values and our craft, celebrating the local while staying globally connected.
LOOKING AHEAD
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We’re expanding into Kenyan macadamia nuts and Kenyan tea, and we’re planning to open a coffee shop. We want to create a space where people can experience the full story - from origin to cup. Education is also a big part of our future: hosting tastings, pairings, and storytelling sessions that connect coffee lovers more deeply to where their coffee comes from.
And yes - we want to make Dundee the snobbiest coffee town in the U.S. (in the best possible way!).
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We hope Fire Lily Coffee will be remembered as a place that brought people together - a space that celebrated culture, craft, and connection. If we can make people feel seen, welcomed, and inspired through what we do, that’s enough.
