Assen

Coffee has thrived in Drenthe since the seventeenth century, and Assen is no exception. As early as 1737 steaming coffee was served in Hoogeveen, and by 1790 Johannes van Lier complained that "all that coffee‑drinking" was making the youth sluggish. The custom of fixed coffee times quickly arose and secured a permanent place in homes and inns.

Hospitality here has revolved for centuries around offering a bakkie with something sweet. Kniepertjes at New Year's, a slice of Drenthe cake at a birthday, or the cup of comfort at a funeral all testify to a culture in which coffee is more than a beverage; it is the glue of the community.

The latest wave of coffee shops shows how Assen renews itself without forgetting the past. Bars roast in‑house, put single‑origin beans center stage and invite guests to watch the roasting process. This attracts enthusiasts eager to discover flavors like caramel, red fruit or nut.

- SIJL Specialty Coffee, since 2021 the first third‑wave bar in Drenthe, roasts on site and sells espresso machines.
- De Bonen Brander, launched in 2020, offers a three‑course tasting and serves light roasts for pure flavor notes.
- Coffee & Tasty combines more than 200 tea varieties with premium Arabica beans such as the local Bartjes Koffiebonen.
- Koffiehuis Assen and De Koffiebar complement the selection with cold brews, seasonal lattes and a homely atmosphere.

Thanks to this mix the city centre once again smells of freshly roasted beans, something that had been missing for over 45 years. In addition, the bars encourage a home‑coffee culture: workshops teach how to brew a perfect espresso or V60 filter, and quality grinders sit right next to the till.

Coffee adds extra sparkle during festivals. At the Preuvenement booths in August, cappuccinos are served alongside regional delicacies, while TT partygoers in June collect the latest festival‑print sugar packet. In this way, coffee flows through every season of the city.

– Hartelijke Plekken: fifteen venues offer suspended coffees to people on a tight budget.
– Cars & Coffee: car enthusiasts gather at the TT circuit for free coffee on Sunday morning.
– Specialty tastings: De Bonen Brander hosts tastings and cuppings, often around International Coffee Day.
– Bike‑and‑coffee concepts pop up at markets, complete with sustainable cups and local roasts.

These activities show how coffee works as a social lubricant, giving entrepreneurs a stage and residents a chance to sample new flavours without the barrier of expensive courses.

The Dutch drink an average of four cups a day, Drenthe residents a little fewer, but coffee remains the standard start and break. Filter coffee and cappuccino stay favourites, yet demand is rising for flat whites, cold brew and single‑origin drip.

Home baristas invest in burr grinders and semi‑automatic machines. Subscriptions deliver freshly roasted beans to the doorstep, making experimentation easy. A biscuit with coffee is sacred: ontbijtkoek in the morning, krentenbol in the afternoon and chocolate with a latte.

Conscious consumption is gaining ground. Many cafés serve only Fairtrade or organically certified beans and offer discounts for reusable cups. The municipality of Assen serves Fairtrade coffee at the office and has the coffee grounds collected for biogas and compost.

Campaigns such as #ZonderPlastic are motivating entrepreneurs to use compostable cups. The Sustainability Centre shares tips: coffee grounds enrich plants, and on Compost Day residents receive free compost partly made from old coffee. In this way the city closes the loop.

Assen breathes coffee, from historic farms to futuristic micro-roasters. Thanks to a mix of tradition, innovation and sustainability, the city remains attractive to coffee fans and investors alike. The next cup is probably already simmering.