A chance to taste two distinct AA selections from Kenya. We love the vibrancy and unparalleled sparkling acidity that Kenyan coffees deliver, and feel that there is more to the cup profile than simple blackcurrant bombs. Here we are offering two AA selections to taste side by side to delve deeper into the complex cup characteristics. Gachatha AA hails from Kihora in Kenya's Nyeri region, and for us represents a 5 year buying relationship. Karimikui AA is grown in Ngariama in the Kirinyaga region, which we've bought for the last 4 years.  Gachatha AA  At the Gachatha washing s ..read more

Valentyn is preparing to compete in the SCA UK Cup Tasters Championship, where success hinges on more than just a sharp palate— as he walks us through a typical training session, he tells us of the importance of mental clarity and focus. The goal? To spot the subtle difference between three coffees at a time, under the watchful eye of spectators, judges, even a live stream. It’s a sensory battle, demanding focus amidst the energy of the Bristol Coffee Festival where the heat is being held this weekend. Competing against the sharpest palates in the UK coffee scene is no walk in the park. Valen ..read more

As the last days of summer approached, we wanted to celebrate our customers and the coffee community with a creative gathering at Brunswick East, Dalston, in partnership with Oatly. The evening centred around a pottery workshop led by the talented ceramist Hephzibah Roe. Known for her functional, everyday pottery, Hephzibah brought her expertise and easygoing nature to guide us in crafting our own espresso cups. Hand-built and later fired with a Workshop green glaze, each creation was stamped with the Oatly x Workshop Coffee stamp, serving as a memento of the night. There was laughter, shared ..read more

Throughout the year, our team continuously receives coffee samples from both long-time producers and of lots which could mark the start of a new buying relationship. We have a clear understanding of the flavour profiles we're seeking, and roasting these samples and tasting them is an integral part of the buying process. Test roasting the samples In addition to tasting, we follow specific protocols to gain deeper insights into the coffees. By assessing the green seeds before roasting, we can learn about the moisture content, water activity, presence of visible defects, and fluorescence under U ..read more

As we gear up for a bank holiday weekend, travel is front-of-mind (as it so often is). To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Db to offer a one of a kind prize pack. For the last few months, the Scandinavian outdoor brand have been on the road showcasing their premium luggage across the globe with a unique coffee-lovers twist. Having been seen in Munich, Paris, Las Vegas, London and more, this one-of-one Ramverk Pro Carry-On has only been available to admire. However, we’re offering one lucky winner the chance to win both the case and the contents of its laser-cut insert. For your c ..read more

Sunday 21st April marks the UK running communities pillar event, London Marathon. As in years gone by, the city will play host to runners from across the country and the globe as they line up to race past icons and landmarks. Spectators will line the course, standing shoulder to shoulder along the 26.2 mile route around the city, creating the unique and uplifting atmosphere London is known for. But 2024 feels a little different. From grass roots communities to fully-fledged clubhouses, there’s little doubt that running is having a moment. Its surging popularity is being driven by an increased ..read more

In just over a week’s time, London will be playing host to coffee roasters, cafes and professionals from across the UK and beyond when The Old Truman Brewery opens its doors for London Coffee Festival 2024. Always an exciting and insightful window into what’s happening in specialty coffee in any given year, for us the real value of the festival lies in its ability to bring a diaspora of partners, friends and peers together one place. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to catch-up and share a coffee with as many people as possible. We’ll be walking the festival throughout its four days, a ..read more

Friday 1st March 2024 being the first time that the doors have opened on the fact that Ireland has a burgeoning specialty coffee scene is undeniable. From quality-focused brew bars to family-oriented brunch spots; specialty cafes-come-natural wine bars to enviable drive-thru spots on busy commuter highways, the ability to seek out a brew that’s not just carefully made and delicious, but offered up so hospitably is wonderfully — refreshingly — easy. Dublin Coffee Festival is therefore somewhat surprising. What wasn’t a surprise, though, was the wonderful reception it received. The industry ..read more

As we prepare to unload a container of fresh crop Peruvian coffees, we hosted an open tasting at La Marzocco HQ UK on Willow Street in East London. A big thanks to everyone that joined us on the day.  Before gathering together around the cupping table our Chief Product Officer, James Bailey, offered an insight into our sourcing ethos in Peru, how we started and how we've grown and evolved our approach. Focussing on the Valle Inca Association, with whom we've worked for 6 years now, he shed light on our relationships in this vast and diverse producing country ..read more

Life is not a straight line. Whilst some people discover their path early in life, others career their way towards their chosen vocation, taking time to discover what it is that makes them tick and the things they value most from their day-to-day. John Hagger, founder of Tanner Bates, would be the first to place himself in the latter camp. It wasn’t until he was 45 that Hagger decided to move to the market town of Walsall and train as a saddler and bridle maker. Coming from a line of leather guilders and glovers, it was a return to familial roots of sorts, as John spent embarked on ..read more