All About Casi Cielo Coffee
Our Origins, Values, and Journey
Founder of Casi Cielo Coffee.
I’m obsessed with cats, mystery thrillers, and making things feel special for other people. I’m deeply particular, sensitive to details, and almost always thinking about a new flavor idea. I love books, but I’m an audiobook person by necessity. My commute to the shop is about an hour in traffic, so that’s my mystery-thriller time. Stephen King is my favorite by far.
Growing up, I was often made to feel like my allergies, pain, and needs were an inconvenience, which is probably a huge part of why I'm so passionate about making other people feel considered instead of difficult. I live with severe gluten sensitivity, lactose intolerance, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, and a Red 40 allergy, so prioritizing my health is a very real part of my life and the main reason I started Casi Cielo Coffee.
At my core, I’m someone who cares deeply, overthinks with purpose, and wants everyone to feel considered before they ever have to ask.
Hi, I’m Marisa-
Our goal is to make inclusivity feel like the standard, not a special accommodation. A place where sincere intention and care is built in from the very beginning and carried into every detail, from allergy-conscious choices to the marshmallow root included in every syrup we make.
Marisa’s Journey
Casi Cielo started because I was the person who was so used to being left out that I almost didn’t expect to be considered anymore. It can get pretty lonely when you're always having to be on guard with every single thing you consume.
For years, I was navigating a body that felt constantly inflamed, overstimulated, reactive, and in pain. I tried so many different doctors, pharmaceuticals, therapies, and eventually decided to take matters into my own hands. I was constantly researching late into the night, and doing everything I could to understand what was triggering me and what might actually support my body.
That’s how I found marshmallow root AND my triggers.
Marshmallow root tea was one of the first things that felt gentle and soothing to me, but it wasn’t exactly something I liked to sip on for fun. At the same time, I started realizing that ingredients I never would have suspected, like Red 40 in my fave lavender syrup, were triggering my peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia symptoms. Because seriously, why would lavender syrup be the thing you’re supposed to question?
So I spiraled, and after spiraling, I decided to reverse engineer the idea of syrup and start making my own, tailored to my needs and preferences. Less sugar, 100% natural and unprocessed/whole ingredients, zero artificial colors or flavors, and how about we throw in a soothing/anti-inflammatory aspect? Hell yea.
Casi Cielo was born from the need to create something I couldn’t find: a coffee shop experience that felt safe, thoughtful, and genuinely indulgent for people with sensitive bodies, and fun/creative enough that I didn't have to feel like I was settling