Dave’s Koffiebranderij

Dave’s Koffiebranderij from Hoofddorp shows that craftsmanship and care still make the difference in the coffee world. Since 2017 the micro roastery has roasted fresh beans for markets, online customers and offices. A bright orange 5 kg Besca roaster has been the heart of the company ever since, and it symbolizes a distinctly Dutch, independent approach.

Founder Dave van Eif discovered during business trips how mediocre a standard cup of coffee can taste. He decided to experiment at home with a 250 g GeneCafe and immediately noticed more flavor and nuance. In 2016 he bought a 1 kg Toper, earned all the SCA roasting certificates, and worked with his wife Petra on a concrete plan. In June 2017 the first bag appeared at the Pure Markt in Amsterdam.

As early as 2018 capacity doubled with the move to a 5 kg Besca. At the end of 2019 Dave’s joined the Amsterdam Roasters Collective, enabling more efficient roasting and sharing knowledge with like-minded roasters.

Every batch is small and closely tracked with Artisan software. Lighter roasts dominate, as this preserves floral, fruity, or nutty notes. Even the Dark Roast is deliberately kept from becoming oily or bitter, depth of flavor takes precedence over extreme caramelization.

The team regularly collaborates with business clients to design a custom blend. Advising on bean selection and profile yields a unique, recognizable cup at the office and underscores the roastery’s craft character.

Dave’s offers an ever-changing lineup of single origins and house blends. A few recent standouts are Ethiopia Limmu Kossa with floral fruit, Costa Rica Hacienda Sonora with sweet nuttiness, and the spicy-chocolate Indonesia Rende Nao robusta. Specialty score, traceability, and freshness are non-negotiable.

- Single origins rotate by season, so when they’re gone, they’re truly gone.
- Blends, for example, combine chocolatey depth with bright berries for cappuccino.
- Decaf is processed without aggressive solvents for maximum flavor.
- Coffee-infused bonbons and tea from “The Dutch Tea Lady” complete the flavor palette.

Collaboration with farmers is as direct as possible via partners like This Side Up. Prices are consistently above the Fairtrade minimum threshold, and the origin is clearly stated on every bag. The team researches eco-pulpers at origin that use 90% less water and helps producers with new fermentations or natural processes.

- Farmers earn a higher income and build toward sustainable cultivation.
- Traceable stories make the grower visible to the coffee drinker.
- Feedback from cuppings gives farmers concrete input for future harvests.

The roastery aims to expand the range with more African micro-lots and natural processing to save water. In addition, a returnable shipping package, a potential tasting space in Hoofddorp, and a subscription service are on the roadmap. Growth remains deliberately controlled so the personal connection with customer and farmer is preserved.

- More natural processes reduce environmental impact.
- Investing in eco-pulpers accelerates water savings among partners.
- Coffee, tea, and chocolate workshops enrich the local community.
– A larger roaster, yet still small-scale, supports demand from cafés and offices.

Dave’s Koffiebranderij proves that a small, passion-driven player can deliver both quality and sustainability. Every bag of beans tells an honest story and offers a flavor journey that inspires curious drinkers.