Hoeksche Branders

More About Hoeksche Branders

In February 2021, partners Demi Bakhuizen and Stefan Hanszen founded ‘Hoeksche Branders’. They wanted to bring coffee with a good and fair story to the market. What started with a small one-kilo home roaster quickly grew into a professional company. In January 2022, they opened their own shop in Heinenoord. In 2024, the roastery and tea trade moved to a larger warehouse.

Within the company, roles are clearly divided. Demi, known as ‘Dé Koffiejuf’, handles the creative product design, packaging, and local collaborations. Stefan operates as ‘Dé Brandmeester’. He is responsible for roasting, refining the roast profiles, and relationships with importers. The company name explicitly honors their roots in the Hoeksche Waard region.

Philosophy and Sourcing: Short Supply Chains

Hoeksche Branders focuses entirely on specialty coffee. All selected coffees score above 80 points according to SCA standards. The roastery consistently employs a ‘slow roast’ method, giving the beans the time they need to develop their full flavor profile. To guarantee optimal freshness, coffee is roasted to order daily or several times a week.

Sustainability and traceability form the foundation of their sourcing policy, keeping the supply chain as short and transparent as possible. Green beans are sourced from regions including Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Peru, and Myanmar. A striking example is the Colombia Argote, grown at an altitude of 1,950 to 2,000 meters. Every 35kg bag is traceable back to the local farmer, such as farmer Nohemy. Another mainstay comes from the Brazilian farm Bota Fora, which has been owned by the same family for over a hundred years and across four generations.

The Assortment: Signature Blends and Exclusive Lots

The selection ranges from accessible blends to highly specific and exclusive single-origin coffees, offering a wide variety of flavors and profiles.

House Blend: A medium roast blend of Brazil and Ethiopia, characterized by notes of chocolate and a light fruity touch.
Hoeksche Blend #1: A medium-dark blend of Peru and Indonesia. The addition of Robusta provides notes of pure chocolate and extra crema.
Roasters Choice Blend #2: Stefan’s personal favorite. This blend combines Brazil Yellow Bourbon with Guatemala Huehuetenango.
Colombia Argote: A full-bodied, 100% Arabica coffee with notes of grapefruit, stone fruit, blueberry, hazelnut, and mandarin.
Brazil Yellow Bourbon: A rare Arabica with limited production and sweet notes of caramel and milk chocolate.

Since the beginning of 2024, the company has been launching an exclusive, limited-edition coffee line every quarter. An example of this is the double-fermented Brazil Capricornio, which is roasted every other Monday. The Colombia Argote Jesús Cerón Natural, with a cupping score of 86.75, is also part of this special selection. Additionally, the roastery offers a Swiss Water Decaf, ensuring no chemicals are used during the process.

B2B Market and Retail Network

Beyond individual consumers, the company has a strong presence in the B2B and hospitality sectors. For offices and cafes in the region, they provide a comprehensive package including coffee beans, tableware, and professional machinery. Their offerings range from the compact Etna Yunio X20 for small teams to the advanced Franke A600 for higher volumes. Through their reseller program, business partners also receive tailored training and support.

Consumers can purchase coffee via the webshop or at the store on the Emmastraat. For local customers, the company handles deliveries every Wednesday. Orders outside the region are shipped via PostNL. The coffee is widely available locally at retailers such as Jumbo, SPAR, and Plus, and is served in various hospitality venues. On Trustpilot, the company currently holds a strong 4.8 out of 5 based on 151 reviews.

Customer Experience, Education, and Sustainability

Customer interaction goes far beyond simple product sales. Enthusiasts can attend a two-hour barista workshop at the roastery to learn the fundamentals of espresso and latte art. For events, the company deploys “On The Road”, a converted German fire trailer that serves as a mobile coffee bar. Additionally, customers stay connected through a rewards program and a loyalty system.

The brand continues to position itself within the regional ecosystem. Since 2022, the company has been affiliated with Foodlab Hoeksche Waard. Although a circular project for composting coffee grounds has been temporarily paused, their financial commitment to a fair trade chain remains strong. For instance, in September 2024, the roastery limited its own price increases to a maximum of seven percent, standing in sharp contrast to the volatile fluctuations of the global coffee market.

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