This guest blog features Kev Lewis from coffeeblog.co.uk Kev explores his Top 5 Coffee Roasters in the UK. Do you have any important roasteries that could/should make the top 5 spot? Let us know in the comments below...
A good cup of coffee is hard to come by. And this is the reason why many people are turning towards bean to cup coffee machines, learning how to prepare the very best quality coffee in the comfort of their own home. As opposed to machines that operate on pods or discs, these machines offer a superior quality and the possibility to try different types of coffee beans.
If you live in the UK, the good news is that there are a lot of great coffee roasters to choose from. Each of them will impress you with their artisanal batches of coffee beans, allowing you to take your passion for freshly brewed coffee to the next level. Keep on reading and discover the best coffee roasters in the UK.
Origin Coffee
Origin Coffee is one of the top coffee roasters in the UK, with their coffee beans being sourced from all over the world. They are interested in bringing specialty coffee to those who adore this beverage, opting for the direct trade. Their coffee beans come from countries such as Brazil, Nicaragua, El Salvador or Colombia.
Working with professional roasting machines, they will go at great lengths to control both the atmosphere and the roasting capabilities. They will analyze not only the color but also the form and smell of the coffee beans. Each roast takes up to several days, until the desired flavor notes are obtained.
Neighborhood Coffee Roasters
Based in Liverpool, Neighborhood Coffee Roasters is one of the best choices for artisanal specialty coffee. Their beans come from South America, as well as Africa, and you can get them as such or ground (depending on your preference). As any reputable company does, they travel to the areas from which the beans are sourced and talk to those involved in the process (such as the farmers).
Dedicated to the art of craft roasting, as it is mentioned on their website, the guys behind the name will only roast coffee in small batches. In this way, the quality of the beans is preserved and you will get coffee of unbelievable flavor. Moreover, the personality of each coffee bean variety will be preserved.
Caravan Coffee Roasters
Located in London, Caravan Coffee Roasters is one of the names to remember when it comes to artisan specialty coffee. They take pride in sourcing green coffee of absolute best quality, in a manner that is both sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The roasting process is carefully undertaken, so that one manages to bring out the true flavors of the coffee beans (as well as their heritage). By employing modern roasting technology, they can preserve the characteristics of each coffee bean variety. Interesting enough, one of their latest types of coffee is produced by a female cooperative in Colombia.
North Star Coffee Roasters
You will find the North Star Coffee Roasters based in Leeds. They are proud to source their coffee from all over the world, working closely with farmers and producers. The company was started in 2013 and it is now one of the most famous names in the industry, offering courses for baristas as well.
As it is mentioned on their website, they prefer to buy specialty grade Arabica coffees. In choosing the coffee beans, they take into account the flavor profile, as well as the level of cleanliness and consistency. They travel to the origin and purchase fresh green coffee, roasting them in small batches and thus ensuring the characteristic flavor for each variety.
Clifton Coffee Roasters
Based in Bristol, Clifton Coffee Roasters is the place to go for artisanal specialty coffee. They source their coffee from countries such as Kenya, Panama, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador and Ethiopia, respecting ethical working practices and purchasing only fresh coffee varieties.
Even though it began as a company dedicated to selling espresso coffee machines, at the moment it is one of the most reputed coffee roasters in the UK. With their own in-house production roastery, they handle everything from sourcing to roasting and supply, bringing the finest specialty coffee varieties to loyal customers.
These are some of the best coffee roasters in the UK and, as you have seen, all of them are dedicated to sourcing from carefully-selected sources. They travel to origin and get in touch with farmers, looking for fresh coffee beans and paying just as much attention to the roasting process.
Excellent post guys!
1) Ozone Coffee Roasters – Leonard St, London – are also a very good bean to cup roaster. They prepare a range of coffee to suit a wide range of customers, from seasonal espressos; to single origin espressos and a filter brew bar to die for.
2) Colonna and Small – Chapel Row, Bath – are another very good bean to cup roaster. They have a dedicated roasting company – Colonna Coffee – and have spent a lot of time understanding and developing a water filtration system that enhances the coffee its made with.
3) Square Mile Coffee – Blackhorse Lane, London – are another very good roaster who have a link into Prufrock, Leather Lane, London.
“BEST COFFEE ROASTERS IN THE UK” – That’s a big claim I doubt you can actually back it up. There are a lot of roasters across the countries the umbrella ‘United Kingdom’ covers – England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland… It’s not unlikely that I may have sampled more of them than you have. A number of the better ones I know aren’t even given a mention here. And, at least one I wouldn’t even consider in the top 10 is listed… C’est la vie! I think it would be more truthful to find a better title for this, one not seeming to be all encompassing and limiting. For a further education you might consider starting here – https://indycoffee.guide
You should look at River Coffee Roasters in Winchester. Will Harrigan is a rising star and his coffee is served in some very high quality places in the city. Rivercoffeeroasters.com