About Zemra's Coffee
Zemra means Heart in Albanian, and that's exactly where our story begins
Our Core Values
Heartfelt Craftsmanship
Rooted in Albanian tradition and brewed with care, our coffee embodies the warmth and authenticity of home.
Cultural Connection
We honor the rich heritage of Turkish-style coffee, blending it with modern touches to create experiences that bridge cultures and generations.
Creative Collaboration
Born from friendship and fueled by shared dreams, our journey thrives on the synergy of diverse talents, bringing stories to life through every sip.
Saimir Ogranaja grew up in Albania, where making Turkish coffee wasn’t just a skill, it was part of daily life. By the age of seven, he was helping his mother roast and grind beans, learning the rhythm and richness of this timeless tradition. That early connection to coffee stayed with him and inspired the founding of Zemra’s Coffee in 2021.
In the beginning, progress was slow. As he shared the challenges of launching a brand with his best friend Jeremy Deihl, an award-winning photographer and videographer based in the Triangle, he responded as he always does: with support, ideas, and encouragement. Jeremy has a natural gift for uplifting his friends’ dreams, and in this case, his creative input and energy became instrumental to the direction of the company.
Over time, it became clear that what we were building was stronger together. In November 2024, we officially partnered and relaunched Zemra’s Coffee as a joint venture. Jeremy brings an eye for design and storytelling, while Saimir focuses on sales and business operations. Together, they’ve created a brand rooted in culture, charisma, and community.
we serve experience. Whether it’s a wedding, open house, or pop-up event, we bring people together through the art and ritual of Turkish-style coffee, made over flame or sand, and always poured with heart.
Our Team
Saimir
Founder
Saimir Ogranaja is the founder of Zemra’s Coffee Co., where Albanian heritage and warm hospitality come together in every cup. Drawing from his roots and years of entrepreneurial experience, Saimir created Zemra’s Coffee to revive the soulful ritual of Turkish-style coffee and bring it to modern events, open houses, and weddings. He leads the company with bold vision, personal charm, and a gift for connection, building relationships, securing bookings, and creating memorable experiences. Saimir also oversees the tech and business infrastructure, keeping operations running behind the scenes while sharing the heart of Zemra’s with the world. Zemra means “heart” in Albanian—and Saimir brings that heart to every aspect of the company.
Jeremy
Partner
Jeremy Deihl is the partner behind Zemra’s Coffee Co., blending craftsmanship, creativity, and dedication into the company’s foundation. As a seasoned photographer and multimedia artist, Jeremy not only shapes the brand’s visual identity—he hand-built the iconic Zemra’s cart itself. From beautiful content creation to fine-tuning operations, Jeremy’s work makes the company’s presence as polished as it is powerful. He also plays a key role in business development and sales, working closely with Saimir to grow the brand and deliver standout experiences at every event. With his quiet focus and steady brilliance, Jeremy is the creative engine behind the scenes—an essential force moving Zemra’s forward.
ABOUT THE COFFEE
We use the traditional method—ultra-fine grind, slow-brewed in a xhezve—but we serve it in a larger cup (7 oz instead of 3) and finish it with 2 oz of half and half for a smoother, creamier experience.
Absolutely. Just let us know, and we’ll make it black—traditional style.
By default, it’s lightly sweetened. You can request unsweetened or extra sweet to match your taste.
It’s bold, not harsh. The caffeine content is similar to espresso, but the creamy finish makes it feel smoother.
We use high-quality Arabica beans, roasted and ground specifically for the Turkish brewing method.
Turk’ish-style coffee uses an ultra-fine grind—finer than espresso—so it blends into the water and creates that thick, velvety texture.
Yes, that’s part of the tradition. A good Turk’ish coffee has a natural foam (called köpük) that forms as it slowly heats.
That’s the sediment from the unfiltered coffee. Don’t drink the last sip—it’s part of the ritual.
Not when done right. Our method balances flavor and body, especially with the half and half we add.
We stick to the traditional flavor, but we’re open to creative customizations for private events.
We don’t — and here’s why. Cardamom was often used to cover up the bitterness of low-grade beans. Since we use specialty-grade coffee, there’s nothing to hide. Our flavor stands on its own — bold, smooth, and clean.
PRODUCTS & MERCH
Yes! Our kits include a traditional xhezve, Zemra’s custom-ground coffee, and instructions to make your own at home.
Yes—you can order our coffee, kits, and more directly from our website. Visit Our Shop
We do. Our Turk’ish coffee kits and services make unforgettable gifts for clients, friends, or teams.
We Cater Open Houses, Wedding Cocktail Hour and other events.
Absolutely. Weddings are one of our favorite events to serve—romantic, elegant, and full of heart.
Yes! We’re a great addition to team appreciation days, product launches, conferences, and more.
We do! Just contact us about your event and we’ll coordinate based on availability and distance.
A 6x6 ft area with access to power is perfect. Indoors or outdoors, we’re flexible.
Nope. We’re fully self-contained—we bring the cart, sand heater, and all the tools we need.
Definitely. We can adjust the recipe, bring branded cups, or match your event’s theme.
The earlier the better—especially for weekend or wedding dates. 2–4 weeks is a good lead time.