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De Pelikaan

Since 1816, De Pelikaan in Zutphen has combined historical heritage with artisan roasted coffee, tea, an atmospheric tasting room, and a strong B2B offering.

De Pelikaan Beans

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More About De Pelikaan

History and Heritage of De Pelikaan
De Pelikaan is a renowned name in the Dutch coffee world with a rich history. The company opened its doors on July 4, 1816, at Pelikaanstraat 9 in Zutphen. Founder Gerrit Jan Garsen started a small-scale grocery store at this location. Since 1920, the business has focused exclusively on high-quality coffee and tea. In that same year, the steam roaster was replaced by an efficient electrical installation. Since 1986, the business has been under the passionate leadership of Johan Wassink. Today, Geertje and Luc Wassink are also active as partners within the thriving company. The official and legal business name is V.O.F. Firma Wed. A. Garsen “De Pelikaan”. In 1991, the specialty shop received the honorable and royal designation of Hofleverancier (Purveyor to the Royal Court). This special title was successfully renewed in 2015 for a new period of 25 years. A year later, in 2016, the company celebrated its impressive two-hundredth anniversary.
The Physical Location and Hospitality
The heart of the business still beats in the historic building in Zutphen. This unique building was designed in 1904 by the famous architect D.J. van Loo. Both the combined building and the authentic shop interior largely date back to this year. Visitors experience a complete and atmospheric world of coffee and tea here. The physical location combines a shop, a roastery, a café, and an extensive gift shop. The roastery at the rear was built in 1929 and later expanded in stages. Since 1989, the popular café has been located in a beautiful adjacent building. The gift shop also received its own accessible space in 1998. The café offers visitors a broad, flavorful, and classic menu. Guests can enjoy a French breakfast, a fresh lunch, or an Afternoon Tea. For this luxury High Tea, visitors must reserve at least one day in advance.
Philosophy and Technique of Coffee Roasting
De Pelikaan employs an artisanal and unique approach to daily coffee roasting. The company produces everything in its own roastery and strives for the highest quality standards. They explicitly choose a cautious and controlled “slow roasting” process. Raw coffee beans arrive at the roastery in large sacks of 60 to 70 kilos. These beans are then roasted fresh and in small batches every week. For the well-known house blends, the roaster uses a striking and traditional method. The various single origin coffees are always roasted separately first. Only after roasting are the beans carefully blended into the final melange. Daily production effortlessly combines historical craftsmanship with modern technologies. Supplier Dutch Master Roasters praises the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. The roastery also utilizes an advanced Eco-15 odor filter from Indumax. This modern system is specifically designed for coffee roasters with a capacity of up to 15 kilos.
A Rich Assortment: Coffee, Tea, and Specialties
The coffee selection reflects a classic Dutch and strongly Italian-inspired flavor profile. The Espresso Melange is by far the strongest coffee in the current assortment. This 100% Arabica blend contains high-quality beans from, among others, Brazil and Guatemala. Please note: this dark roast is absolutely not suitable for fully automatic machines. In contrast, the Espresso Arabica offers a very mild and beautifully neutral taste experience. The Firenze is an exceptionally popular blend with a medium to dark roast. In addition to the blends, the webshop currently offers twelve different single origins. A beautiful example is the natural-processed Brasil Santos from the Minas Gerais region. This specific coffee grows at an ideal altitude of 900 to 1,100 meters. Tea is, of course, no afterthought for this historic and versatile specialty shop. The tea selection counts more than 200 types of tea, including ten high-quality matcha products. Customers will find premium options such as Matcha Izumi, Kiwami, and Ceremonial Japan. The shop also sells espresso machines, handy accessories, and its own coffee liqueur with an alcohol content of 14.5 percent.
Sourcing, B2B Services, and Market Position
The green coffee comes from various and globally renowned coffee-producing countries. The company works with beans from Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Papua New Guinea. Structural sourcing primarily takes place through a fixed and reliable Belgian importer. The website mentions that they strive for sustainable sources and certified Fair Trade options. However, specific names of farms or local cooperatives are not shared publicly. De Pelikaan supplies an impressive base of over 7,000 regular and registered customers. This valuable network extends across the globe, with a strong base in the Netherlands. In addition to the physical store and webshop, there is a robust B2B proposition for the hospitality sector. Business customers can count on a comprehensive and professional service package:

Sale, lease, and rental of professional espresso machines.
Installation and periodic maintenance of the delivered equipment on site.
Extensive training and guidance for baristas and hospitality staff.
Special customized tasting packages to select the right coffee.

The exceptional quality of the coffee has been objectively confirmed nationally on several occasions. In 2002, 2003, and 2004, their coffee was convincingly named the best in the Netherlands. With more than two centuries of experience, De Pelikaan maintains a rock-solid and stable position in the market.

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