Declared a landmark in 1976, the Oakland Tribune Tower is a well-known fixture in the city. The words “Tribune” are emblazoned upon its upper reaches, making the building a part of the firmament. Rasa Caffe sits at the base of the tower. It opened in January 2024, yet already feels familiar. Rasa Mott, owner of Rasa Caffe, exudes a calm yet frenetic presence, which seems fitting for the area. The millennial pink walls, pastries in a glass case, the back of the cafe carries clothing and coffee beans, and Edible magazines sitting on a table near the window begets a familiar coolness that’s separate from what exists outside its doors. Mott seemingly is becoming as much of the fixture of the street. Growing up in Oakland, Mott derived his love of food from his mom, Ericka Huggins. Sitting on a stool, he used to cook with and next to her, and food was an integral part of her job as principal at the Oakland Community School. He recounts making friends outside the gate of the school, and reaching out to them.  “We found out they didn’t eat anything, so we’d sneak them food,” Mott said. “My mother then found out, and some of the other people from school found out. She went up and asked the kids, ‘Have you eaten something?’ They were like, ‘No.’ ‘When’s the last time you ate?’ ‘I don’t know,’ they responded. So she asked Melvin, ‘Can we start cooking?’” The Oakland Community School, with Melvin Dickson in the kitchen, went on to serve students breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the school only lasted eight years, closing in 1981, it became a paradigm for California and other states’ schools to follow, and Mott found his calling in life, using food to feed and help his community. His culinary ventures didn’t stop in Oakland, and he traveled to India at the age of 12 and again at 15. There, living in an ashram in Ganeshpuri, ginger and cardamom were central flavors in the chais he drank.  He eventually left the Bay Area at around age 18 and moved to New York City, where he attended culinary school. He visited Italy, and worked in Thailand and at the World Trade Center. Food was a constant, a sort of existential metronome that he returned to despite pursuing other opportunities. The pendulum eventually found Mott swinging back to the Bay Area in late 2001. His reasons for returning included the produce the Bay Area offered, and being close to his family. Mott became a certified master taster, working on identifying the five elemental flavors: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. He adds that Thailand adds a sixth flavor, heat. He worked with Tanya Holland at Brown Sugar Kitchen. He also worked at Buddhist monasteries, where he cooked vegetarian and vegan food before the opportunity to run a coffee shop fell into his lap.  Originally located in Berkeley, Rasa Caffe garnered a reputation and a loyal community. The rasa chai is a star maker. Mott sources his assam tea from distributors in India. Other popular offerings include the rose latte. A blend of rose, saffron and vanilla, the latte hints at the floral notes without being overpowering. He also recommends the golden latte, a blend of molasses and orange, and the black molasses cold brew. But like many small business owners, challenges followed on the heels of the end of the era of low interest rates. He struggles with the increasing price of raw ingredients, managing staff salaries, and keeping the prices of the drinks and food relatively affordable. It’s a balancing act that’s only achieved with customer support and his staff, who believe in his mission.   Rasa Caffe opened in January 2024 at the base of the Oakland Tribune Tower. (Photo courtesy of Rasa Caffe) As seen on his Instagram, a number of people who followed him to the new location helped donate to his GoFundMe as he recovered from a health scare. He’s working on meeting his fundraising goal and although the cafe is still at the forefront of his mind, he’s looking to achieve work-life balance. Physical sustainability is an overarching theme. “People have been extremely supportive and very kind and caring with the GoFundMe raising money,” Mott said. “I think that people want us to be around because we’ve been a part of people’s lives; not just the drinks. People came from San Francisco today to visit. Someone came on Sunday [from] like an hour and a half away, just to come and support us.” For Rasa Caffe, the community will travel to get a cup of chai—a testament to Mott’s growth and enduring influence.  Rasa Caffe, 411 13th St., Oakland. Open Tue, Thu-Fri, 7:30am to 3pm; Sat-Mon, 8am to 2pm.