Bij Roel

Bij Roel opened in 2022 at Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat 27 in Groningen. Oogst Groningen cites September 13, 2022, as the establishment date. The venue succeeded the coffee and cake café Bij Britta, which previously occupied the same address.

Founder and owner Roel Hooghiem graduated from Academie Minerva around 2012. By November 2022, he had approximately twelve years of experience in the hospitality industry. Before opening Bij Roel, he managed a coffee bar at the hospitality venue Mr. Mofongo in Groningen.

Hooghiem wanted to combine his work as a visual artist with his experience as a barista and hospitality entrepreneur. This combination is evident in the function of the building. Bij Roel operates as a café, a retail outlet for coffee beans, and a space for art.

According to the official product information, the house blend consists of 100% Arabica beans. The beans are medium-roasted and intended for both espresso and filter coffee. The described flavor profile features chocolate, nuts, and caramel, with a sweet finish.

The company states that every batch is evaluated through cupping. The roasting process can then be adjusted to align with the consistent flavor profile. A roast date is printed on the packaging. However, details regarding the roaster, production capacity, software, and production location are not publicly disclosed.

The retail range includes an unnamed house blend in 500-gram bags. The beans are offered for espresso, V60 filter, and French press. Separate brewing recommendations are provided for each of these methods. Customers can have whole beans ground to suit their chosen brewing method.

The coffee menu includes, among others, ristretto, espresso, americano, long black, and filter coffee. The café also serves milk-based drinks such as cortado, cappuccino, flat white, latte, and latte macchiato. Decaf coffee and oat milk are also listed as options.

In addition to coffee, the establishment offers tea, homemade cakes, croissants, yogurt, soup, and grilled ciabatta. Coffee and most dishes are also available for takeaway. The café operates without table reservations.

Roel claims that the coffee has a traceable origin. However, specific countries, regions, farms, washing stations, and cooperatives are not named. Additionally, the involved importers, contract terms, purchase volumes, and paid prices are not publicly documented.

The company states that it works with importers who pursue fair prices and long-term relationships with producers. The available information does not clarify how these principles are measured or verified. External certifications, such as organic, Fairtrade, or Rainforest Alliance, are not mentioned.

Customers are allowed to bring their own packaging when purchasing in the store. No public data is available regarding material usage, energy consumption, emissions, waste goals, or the reuse of coffee grounds.

The beans are sold directly from the café on Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat. The website describes in-store pickup and notes that the coffee is generally in stock. A functioning shipping service or public delivery program is not documented.

The café is located opposite the Harmonie complex of the University of Groningen. The published opening hours are from 07:30 to 17:00 on weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, the shop is open from 09:30 to 17:00.

The café features works by Hooghiem alongside rotating exhibitions by other local artists. Local media and platforms describe this artistic dimension as an integral part of the business. In addition, Roel offers 90-minute barista workshops for groups of four or more participants.

The workshops cover espresso, grind size, dosing, tamping, milk texture, latte art, and equipment maintenance. All necessary materials and ingredients are provided on-site. The names of regular trainers or details about public cupping sessions have not been disclosed.

Hooghiem is the only staff member publicly identified by name and role. The website references several other baristas but does not specify their roles or the total number of employees. Neither a head roaster, buyer, nor café manager is individually named.