NL KoffieLust
Based in Veenhuizen, Koffielust uses electric roasting, pays farmers above market prices, and integrates individuals distanced from the labor market. Operating out of a former prison, the roastery blends craftsmanship with sustainability and social impact through projects such as De Idealist and the coffee selection De Slokkert.
KoffieLust Beans
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More About KoffieLust
Koffielust: artisanal coffee with an impact.
The coffee roastery Koffielust from Veenhuizen has built a strong reputation in a short amount of time. Since its founding on September 10, 2018, the company has combined flavor, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship. The roastery utilizes electric roasters, supports farmers with fair pricing, and involves people distanced from the labor market in the roasting process. This story demonstrates how a small player can drive significant change.
From Historic Prison to Coffee Hotspot
The roastery is housed in a monumental building of the former PI Veenhuizen prison. This unique location pays homage to the nineteenth-century “Koloniën van Weldadigheid,” where labor and rehabilitation were central themes. Founder Mark ter Maat saw an opportunity here to link artisanal coffee with social progress. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, he secured the resources to launch his mission and breathe new life into the region.
Triple Value in Every Roast
Koffielust roasts exclusively using small, electric-powered machines. This reduces CO₂ emissions and allows for fine-tuned control over every single roast profile. Each roast is built upon three core pillars: a fair price for the farmer, opportunities for people in the workplace, and a minimal ecological footprint. Beans are roasted fresh daily and never sold later than two months after roasting, ensuring aromas remain at their peak.
Signature Coffees with a Story
Pauper, 80% Arabica / 20% Robusta, delivering a creamy body and a thick layer of crema – named after Veenhuizen's poorest colonists.
Goesting, 100% Arabica from South America, offering spicy strength with notes of caramel, amaretti, and almond.
Oersterk, single origin Guatemala, offering a bright, fruity profile with light sweetness and vibrant aromas.
Verlangen – Ashu, Ethiopian microlot (anaerobic natural, 96 hours), scoring around 90 points and showcasing subtle notes of nuts, caramel, and mocha.
Experiments that Push the Boundaries
Koffielust intentionally keeps its selection small and dynamic. As new harvests arrive, the roastery quickly rotates origins and processing methods. A collaboration with distiller Drunken Monkey resulted in the award-winning coffee liqueur “De Slokkert”; together with chocolatier Boonbon, they created bonbons infused with that same liqueur. In this way, the team constantly discovers new ways to expand the coffee experience.
Social Impact Behind Bars
One striking project is De Idealist. Between 2020 and 2021, inmates at PI Norgerhaven roasted no less than 55 tons of coffee under the guidance of Koffielust. Every kilogram sold contributes €1 to a microcredit fund for 320 Rwandan farmers. This success proves that specialty coffee and social reintegration go hand in hand perfectly.
Direct ties with farmers
By partnering with small, transparent importers, Koffielust avoids the mass-market trade chains. Farmers often receive double the market price. Blockchain tracking for Rwandan batches made price distribution transparent and helped resolve irregularities. This keeps the supply chain short, fair, and verifiable.
Education and community
At their own tasting room, Koffielust organizes barista courses, coffee tastings, and live roasting demonstrations. This builds coffee knowledge in Drenthe and attracts visitors who combine a trip to the prison museum with a fresh cup of coffee. Regional events, pop-ups, and collaborations with other roasters ensure that specialty coffee becomes a visible and accessible part of local life.
Future plans on the horizon
Theelust: a new line of sustainable teas, built on the same principles as their coffee.
100% reusable or fully recyclable packaging to close the waste loop.
Expanding the prison-roasting model to other facilities, with a potential of 200–400 tons of coffee per year.
More limited editions, such as honey-processed microlots or seasonal blends via a subscription service.
Final Thoughts
Koffielust proves that craftsmanship, sustainability, and social commitment can strengthen one another. Every sip tells an honest story, from farmer to barista. The future promises even more innovation, but the core remains the same: coffee tastes best when everyone in the chain benefits.
Disclaimer: We do our best to keep all information in this article as accurate as possible. Have you come across something that is no longer quite correct? Send a message to the editorial team at [email protected] and we'll update it!