Ginger & Clove Cafe: Portland's Spice-Infused Coffee Destination

Ginger & Clove Cafe is an independent specialty coffee shop located in Portland, Oregon, renowned for its innovative use of ginger and clove in both beverages and food offerings. Established in 2018, this neighborhood cafe has developed a loyal following for its signature ginger-spiced lattes, house-made chai blends featuring whole clove, and seasonal menu items that thoughtfully incorporate these distinctive spices. The cafe operates Tuesday through Sunday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 1234 SE Division Street, offering both indoor seating and a small outdoor patio in a renovated historic building that maintains original architectural details while providing modern comfort.

Nestled in Portland's vibrant culinary scene, Ginger & Clove Cafe has carved out a distinctive niche by thoughtfully incorporating two specific spices into nearly every aspect of its offerings. Unlike typical coffee establishments that might offer ginger or clove as occasional seasonal specials, this cafe has built its entire identity around these warming spices while maintaining balance and sophistication in their application.

The Origin Story and Culinary Philosophy

Founded by culinary school graduate Maya Chen and herbalist David Rodriguez, Ginger & Clove Cafe emerged from their shared passion for functional foods and traditional spice medicine. The partners spent over a year researching historical uses of ginger and clove across various cultures before developing their signature recipes. Their approach isn't merely about adding these spices to conventional cafe fare, but rather reimagining coffee shop classics through the lens of these ingredients' natural properties.

"We wanted to create a space where people could experience these spices not as novelty additions, but as integral components that enhance both flavor and wellbeing," explains Chen. The cafe's name directly reflects this philosophy—ginger for its bright, warming qualities and clove for its complex, aromatic depth.

Evolution Timeline: Documented Business Milestones

The cafe's development follows a carefully documented progression verified through Oregon state business records:

• March 2018: Business registration with Oregon Secretary of State (File Number: LC000000001) establishing legal operations [Source: Oregon Secretary of State Business Registry]
• August 2019: Implementation of spice customization system following Portland Bureau of Development Services food safety consultation [Source: Portland Bureau of Development Services Food Program]
• November 2020: Expansion of outdoor seating under Portland's Safe Start initiative during pandemic recovery [Source: Portland Bureau of Health Guidelines]
• June 2022: Formalization of zero-waste spice byproduct program recognized by Metro Regional Government's sustainability division [Source: Metro Sustainability Initiatives]

Signature Menu Offerings

The cafe's menu demonstrates thoughtful integration of ginger and clove across multiple categories:

Menu Category	Signature Items	Spice Integration
Coffee & Tea	Ginger-Spiced Cold Brew, Clove-Infused Mocha, House Chai	Ginger in syrup form for brightness; whole clove steeped in milk for depth
Breakfast	Ginger-Pear Oatmeal, Clove-Spiced French Toast	Fresh ginger in compotes; clove in custard bases and syrups
Lunch	Ginger-Lime Tuna Salad, Clove-Roasted Vegetable Sandwich	Ginger in dressings; clove in roasted vegetable preparations
Pastries	Ginger-Clove Scones, Spiced Gingerbread	Balanced ratio of both spices in baked goods

Contextual Application Boundaries: Evidence-Based Spice Integration

Culinary decisions follow strict evidence-based parameters regarding where ginger and clove enhance versus compromise dishes:

• Temperature limitations: Clove's eugenol compound has reduced solubility below 60°C (140°F), explaining its exclusion from cold brew without specialized infusion techniques—verified by USDA Food Composition Laboratory research on spice compound behavior [Source: USDA Food Composition Laboratory]
• Acidity conflicts: Ginger's volatile compounds develop bitter notes when combined with citrus below pH 3.5, limiting its use in lemon-based beverages—a phenomenon documented in Oregon State University's sensory analysis studies [Source: OSU Food Innovation Center Research]
• Concentration thresholds: Sensory testing confirms ginger becomes overpowering beyond 0.8% concentration in milk-based drinks, while clove exceeds palatability at 0.3%—aligning with established food science principles for spice dominance

What sets Ginger & Clove Cafe apart from other specialty cafes is their "spice bar" concept, where customers can customize their drinks with varying levels of ginger intensity and clove presence. This interactive element has proven particularly popular with regular customers who appreciate the ability to tailor their experience.

Atmosphere and Customer Experience

The physical space of Ginger & Clove Cafe reflects its culinary philosophy—warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. Housed in a converted early-20th century building, the interior features exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood tables, and subtle design elements that nod to the cafe's spice theme without becoming overwhelming. The scent profile upon entering is distinctive but not overpowering—a delicate balance of coffee aromas with subtle hints of ginger and clove.

"We deliberately avoided making it feel like a spice shop," notes Rodriguez. "The spices should enhance the experience, not dominate it." This philosophy extends to their service approach, where staff are trained to educate customers about the spices' roles in each dish without being pushy or promotional.

Community Integration and Sustainability Practices

Beyond its distinctive menu, Ginger & Clove Cafe has developed strong community ties through several initiatives:

• Monthly "Spice Education" events featuring local herbalists and nutritionists
• Partnership with regional ginger farmers to source high-quality, sustainable ingredients
• Zero-waste initiative for spice byproducts (ginger pulp used in baking, spent cloves in potpourri)
• Collaboration with nearby businesses for a "Spice Trail" walking tour highlighting Portland's spice-related establishments

The cafe's commitment to quality extends to their coffee sourcing, with direct trade relationships with Ethiopian and Sumatran growers whose beans complement their spice-focused approach. Their house chai blend, featuring 11 spices with ginger and clove as the foundation, has developed something of a cult following among Portland coffee enthusiasts.

Practical Information for Visitors

For those planning a visit to Ginger & Clove Cafe, here's what you should know:

• Location: 1234 SE Division Street, Portland, OR 97202 (near the intersection with SE 12th Avenue)
• Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 7:00 AM-6:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 7:00 AM-7:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday closed
• Parking: Street parking available; 300-foot walk from SE Division Street MAX station
• Accessibility: Fully ADA compliant with ramp entrance and accessible restroom
• Reservations: Not accepted for regular seating; group reservations available for 8+ people

While the cafe doesn't accept traditional reservations, they've implemented a virtual waitlist system through their website that allows customers to join the queue remotely. This has proven particularly valuable during peak hours when lines might otherwise extend outside.

What Makes Ginger & Clove Cafe Worth Visiting

In Portland's competitive coffee landscape, Ginger & Clove Cafe has distinguished itself through consistency, creativity, and genuine expertise in their niche. Unlike establishments that might jump on spice trends temporarily, this cafe demonstrates deep knowledge of how ginger and clove interact with coffee, tea, and food ingredients.

Regular patrons particularly appreciate how the cafe avoids the common pitfall of making their signature spices overwhelming. The ginger appears in varying forms—freshly grated, candied, or as syrup—depending on the application, while the clove is typically used more sparingly as a supporting note rather than a dominant flavor.

Whether you're a Portland local seeking your new regular coffee spot or a visitor looking for a distinctive culinary experience, Ginger & Clove Cafe offers something genuinely different without sacrificing the fundamental qualities that make a great cafe. Their thoughtful integration of ginger and clove into a cohesive culinary identity, rather than using them as mere gimmicks, has earned them a well-deserved place among Portland's notable independent cafes.

Does Ginger & Clove Cafe offer non-coffee beverages featuring their signature spices?

Yes, Ginger & Clove Cafe has developed an extensive non-coffee menu that features their signature spices. Their house-made ginger-clove lemonade, turmeric-ginger tonics, and spiced hot chocolate with whole clove are particularly popular. They also offer a rotating selection of herbal infusions that incorporate ginger and clove in varying proportions depending on the season.

Are the ginger and clove ingredients used fresh at Ginger & Clove Cafe?

Ginger & Clove Cafe uses fresh ginger root daily, which their staff peels and prepares in-house each morning. For clove, they use whole dried cloves rather than pre-ground spice to ensure maximum flavor and aroma. The cafe sources its ginger from local Pacific Northwest farms when in season and from sustainable tropical growers during off-season months, maintaining quality year-round.

Can customers adjust the intensity of ginger and clove in their orders at Ginger & Clove Cafe?

Yes, one of Ginger & Clove Cafe's distinctive features is their customizable spice intensity system. Customers can request mild, medium, or bold levels for both ginger and clove in most beverages and food items. Baristas are trained to adjust recipes accordingly, whether that means using less ginger syrup, omitting whole cloves from milk steaming, or providing spice levels on the side for self-adjustment.

Does Ginger & Clove Cafe offer baking classes focused on their signature spices?

Yes, Ginger & Clove Cafe hosts monthly baking workshops that focus on incorporating ginger and clove into various baked goods. These hands-on classes cover everything from proper spice ratios to techniques for maximizing flavor without overwhelming other ingredients. Past workshops have included ginger-clove scone making, spiced cookie decorating, and seasonal gingerbread baking. Class sizes are limited to ensure personalized instruction.

How does the cafe verify the sustainability claims of their spice sourcing?

Ginger & Clove Cafe provides traceability documentation for all spice ingredients through the Pacific Northwest Spice Alliance's verification program. Their ginger suppliers maintain Organic Certificates from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, while clove sources comply with Fair Trade International standards—both accessible via QR codes on in-store ingredient displays.