The first country we’re heading to in 2024 is Germany, a country with a truly thriving coffee scene. Some of the biggest names and earliest pioneers in specialty coffee have been German which has led to a wave of new and young roasters to emerge. It’s no surprise you find such quality in Germany as it it is famed for its quality & attention to detail. An exciting month to start the new year!

(Berlin, Germany)

Mentioning specialty coffee in Berlin inevitably brings attention to The Barn, a notable establishment that has expanded to include 12 coffee shops in Berlin, along with additional locations overseas in Mallorca, Dubai & South Korea. The Barn has garnered an international reputation for exceptional coffee roasting. It's particularly impressive when considering that this coffee phenomenon originated just 13 years ago with the original Mitte coffee shop.

Owner Ralf Rüller opened The Barn in 2010 with the hopes of reestablishing a serious coffee culture in Berlin. These days if you don’t get to try their coffee over there, you will more than likely be able to find it in a café nearby. We are always excited when we get a coffee from The Barn but the Buena Vista we’ve purchased this time is probably the best so far!

(Berlin, Germany)

Fjord Coffee Roasters was born out of three Berlin cafe owners creating a roastery with a common vision for specialty coffee-to emulate the Nordic roast style by bringing out the most delicate and nuanced flavours in its carefully selected coffees. Even after this collective structure at Fjord changed, their commitment to quality and honesty is still evident throughout the entire journey, from sourcing beans to customer service.

Their approach not only emphasises the distinct characteristics of various regions but also showcases diverse processing methods and seasonal specialties, ensuring a rich and nuanced coffee experience for enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. This is why we always enjoy working with Fjord and we even included their coffee in our early prototype Taster Set back in 2018!

Rubirizi hill sits 1750 meters above sea level, just east of Gaharo where the producer Long Miles Coffee Project’s story began.

Life on Rubirizi hill is fairly representative of much of Burundian rural life: most people are engaged in agriculture, producing food for themselves and their families. Common crops include maize, beans, potatoes, cassava, peas, bananas, sweet potatoes, and, of course, coffee. It is also common to see mangoes being grown in Rubirizi - something that makes this hill unique amongst the surrounding hills.

This particular lot was purchased by Fjord through Osito via Long Miles and was processed at the Bukeye Washing Station, which sits at the base of the Gaharo Hill and was the first washing station built by Long Miles.

(Unterhaching, Germany)

Supremo are on a mission to create premium specialty coffee with a motto of "no compromises in quality". They live and breathe coffee, from planting the seeds to the last sip of your cup. They believe that coffee is an art, and only the skilled hands of their coffee roasters can bring out the magic of every bean. Supremo keep it personal with a family touch and every day they search the globe for the perfect beans, ensuring that every sip you take is a sensory explosion!

If that wasn’t enough, their owner Raphael Braune is also a coffee legend, famous for creating the Comandante Grinder and owning a coffee farm in Costa Rica. This is our first time working with Supremo and they have given us a very rare and unique coffee they acquired through private auction-exciting stuff indeed!

Supremo have been sourcing coffee from Mierisch family for almost 20 years and maintaining a close friendship with them. Their story begins at the end of the 19th century when a German geologist was employed by the Nicaraguan government to support the expansion of the country's rail network. As the government was unable to pay him in full, they offered him land in the mountains of Matagalpa and in 1908 he planted his first coffee trees.

The Mierisch family is now in its fifth generation and "Las Delicias" the farm of Eleane Mierisch is devotedly producing one of the most delicious Yellow Pacamara year after year. At the last "Los Favoritos" competition, the lots that tasted the best by far were both from her and after a long auction, Supremo were able to secure these wonderful coffees.

(Berlin, Germany)

Ken Braz, a coffee wizard from Luxembourg, whose hobby turned into a mad love affair with coffee, and now proud owner of August 63 - the roastery, online shop, and mobile coffee bar and our discovery roaster this month. Ken has been championing the coffee scene for years, and now he's bringing his passion and expertise to the public.

August 63 is one of the most-talked-about new comers in Germany and are bringing some tasty coffee to the streets of Berlin with a crowdfunded mobile coffee bar, and it's not just about the coffee! August 63 believes in community and collaboration, bringing artists and creatives together to showcase their amazing work. Limited edition coffee blends, prints, and cool merchandise. Joining the August 63 tribe is being part of a sustainable coffee revolution and we’re here for it!

The farm is owned by Dr. Rosebella Langat and her husband who grow coffee themselves and work directly with coffee farmers to find the best beans available. Currently, Chepsangor Hills is one of the most professional projects in the region because it promotes the sustainable growth of coffee through environmentally friendly and agricultural practices.

After carefully sorted the coffee is then dried on African beds in a kind of “sleeping bag” to avoid negative weather influences and accelerate the uniform fermentation process for 13-15 days. Constantly turning the coffee cherries ensures that no mold forms and the cherries are dried evenly. Additionally, moisture levels are controlled and the cherries are covered during the hottest part of the day to protect them from overdrying.