A Matter of Concrete

More About A Matter of Concrete

A Matter of Concrete: data, heritage, and flavor in Rotterdam

A Matter of Concrete was founded in 2021 within the Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam. This UNESCO World Heritage site held 65 years of coffee history up until 1995. The roastery bridges that industrial past with contemporary specialty coffee. From day one, founder and barista champion Rob Clarijs focused on a data-driven workflow. Decisions had to be 'concrete' choices, based on measurements, cupping tables, and collaboration with experts. The result is a brand that leverages technology to ensure reproducible quality.

Leadership and Team

The public face of the brand is founder Rob Clarijs, winner of the Coffee Masters London 2019. He positions the roastery around logic, forward-thinking, and measurable outcomes. As of 2025, Ross Armson serves as Head Roaster, bringing nearly a decade of experience in roasting and cupping across various machine platforms. This combination of competitive background and production expertise defines the daily culture of quality.

Philosophy, flavor, and control

The philosophy is 'flavour first.' Selection is done via blind cuppings, where only the best candidates from the table move forward. Every lot is fully traceable back to the farmer or processing partner. In the cup, A.M.O.C. strives for clean, complex, and highly soluble profiles. Roasting profiles fall into two categories, 'CLASSIC' and 'UNCOMMON,' depending on the character of the lot. Production and quality control are data-centric, utilizing automation and intensive measurements for consistent results.

Tools and capacity

The roastery occupies approximately 550 m² within the Van Nelle complex. The space is designed for high-end small-batch production, including custom ventilation to respect the heritage context of the building. An integrated cupping room on the floor supports rapid feedback and decision-making.

Loring S35 Kestrel, 35 kg “half bag”, with afterburner and touchscreen automation
SOVDA color sorter for post-roast defect control and uniformity
Competition-level cupping and tasting processes for selection and release

Ranges and standout lots

The portfolio is clearly structured into four tiers. “CLASSIC“ and “UNCOMMON“ form the foundation. “MONO/RARE“ focuses on rare single origin selections. “APEX“ is the stage for the most exclusive competition lots. This architecture helps both hospitality partners and consumers make quick, informed choices, ranging from the familiar to the experimental.

CLASSIC examples, “/025 Ethiopia, Mr. Ocholo Bedecho“
“/001³ Brazil, São Domingos“ and “/022 Guatemala, Las Brisas“
“/004³ Colombia, El Girasol“ and “DECAF, Mustafá Estate“
Recent, Colombia Pink Bourbon from Julián Calderón for the Coffeevine box April 2024
Collaboration, “A.M.O.C. x NOMAD, unknown paradise“, as a curation example

Sourcing and producer partners

Selection begins with blind cuppings and ends with full traceability. They regularly work directly with farms or processing stations, always maintaining close supplier relationships. This ensures consistent quality and transparency that meets competition standards.

Partners, Mr. Ocholo Bedecho, Las Brisas, El Girasol
Mustafá Estate and São Domingos
Project, Brazilian Gesha “Vacafru“ from Mió in Monte Santo de Minas

Packaging and Sustainability

The packaging line combines reuse, weight reduction, and recycling. The “A.M.O.C. jar” is a fully recyclable PET jar designed to encourage reuse. The “Refill” is a lightweight vacuum pack made from food-grade PP. The “Kilo” packaging features a high barrier profile and is recyclable under specific conditions. Their energy partner holds Gold Standard certification, providing CO₂-neutral gas and electricity from renewable sources. Furthermore, Loring technology minimizes fuel consumption. This approach has received recognition within SCA Design in Coffee.

Location, Distribution, and Where to Taste

The roastery and curated store are located at Van Nelleweg 1, Schiehal E, 3044 BC Rotterdam. The online shop ships worldwide. There is a wholesale channel for cafés, restaurants, and bars, including sample sets for B2B partners. A dynamic “Where to drink” directory on the website lists partner locations serving A.M.O.C. The roastery is also listed in various European coffee guides.

Knowledge Sharing and Media

Public brew guides provide house recipes for filter and espresso, intended as customizable baselines. Technical content created with SOVDA and IKAWA highlights sorting and sample profiling. Collaborations with subscription services such as Coffeevine and Bean Bros focus on education and discovery, ensuring the brand remains visible within the European scene.

Rob Clarijs, Coffee Masters London 2019 winner
Featured roaster in Coffeevine selections, including 2024
Bean Bros, 2022 and “Featured Roaster” in April 2025
Sprudge, “Cultivator’s 12 Days of Coffee” in 2022
Local coverage by KoffieTcacao and Insider Rotterdam

Relevance for Dutch Coffee Professionals

A Matter of Concrete bridges Rotterdam's heritage with measurement, automation, and flavor-driven selection. For café owners, baristas, and roasters, the roastery offers clear product tiers, strict quality control, and open recipes for a seamless start. Traceable sourcing and recognized partners build trust, while packaging and energy choices demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Those seeking clean, consistent cups with character will find a data-driven partner with a distinct signature here.

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