Maalwerk Koffie

More About Maalwerk Koffie

Maalwerk Koffie, craftsmanship from the North

Maalwerk Koffie is a micro-roastery that prioritizes proximity, quality, and small batches. The roastery was established in Delfzijl in 2020, following a conscious decision in 2018 to move toward small-scale operations. The brand positions itself as the northernmost coffee roastery in the Netherlands.

Founder and head roaster Erik Poelstra brings over twenty years of industrial experience. The company operates its own website and consumer webshop under KvK 64842711. A roastery video marked their public launch in June 2020.

Origins and leadership

Erik Poelstra is an SCA-certified barista and also works as a coffee consultant. His career began in 1994 and included production management and blend development at Tiktak/Segafredo. Communication on the brand site, including news and academy pages, is handled by Poelstra himself.

Location and Facilities

The roastery is located at IJzerweg 2, 9936 BM, in Farmsum/Delfzijl, municipality of Eemsdelta, province of Groningen. From this location, Maalwerk supplies regional hospitality and retail outlets and ships nationwide. Workshops and training sessions take place within the roastery itself.

Roast philosophy and quality control

Maalwerk opts for a manual, small-scale "slow roast" production process and hand-packaging. Their educational content highlights typical drum roast times of 9 to 14 minutes, compared to 6 to 12 minutes for air roasters. This technical expertise is paired with strict quality control through cuppings and origin-specific tasting notes.

The specific roaster model and batch capacity are not publicly disclosed. Instead, the focus is clearly on process consistency, transparency in flavor profiles, and meticulous attention to every batch.

Sourcing and Origin

The roastery expresses a strong preference for direct trade and long-term relationships with growers. Their assortment provides clear origin information and processing details, ensuring that sourcing choices remain transparent for both professionals and coffee enthusiasts.

Kenya AA Guama comes from the Guama washing station in Kirinyaga, sourced from over 3,500 smallholders at altitudes of approximately 1,700 to 1,900 meters, and is fully washed. The Java "Pancoer Estate" single origin covers 1,104 hectares of cultivation, producing about 350 tons per year of the Typica variety, grown between 650 and 1,550 meters, washed and sun-dried.

In 2024, a partnership began with The Kolektif for sustainably produced coffees from Indonesia, including Java, Sumatra, and Papua New Guinea. The goals are direct trade, proximity to the source, and freshness within two months, with an emphasis on shade-grown and forest-friendly cultivation.

Assortment, blends, and single origins

The permanent range combines recognizable blends with distinct single origins. Descriptions remain concrete, allowing baristas and buyers to quickly align their flavor goals and brewing profiles.

"Hollandsch Rijk", 100% arabica from Central and South America, featuring notes of cocoa, caramel, subtle fruit, and a full, creamy finish.
"Dikke Puut met Boon’n", a regional blend with an Italian-style profile, roasted and packaged in Groningen.
"Lente Blend", a seasonal blend that returns periodically.

Regular single origins include Kenya AA Top Guama, Ethiopia Sidamo, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Costa Rica Tarrazú SHB, Colombia Supremo, and Indonesia Java Pancoer Estate.

Training and Education

De Koffie Academy offers barista training by appointment for hospitality teams, focusing on machine calibration, milk steaming, cupping, and menu coffees. For enthusiasts, there is a public workshop covering brewing parameters, maintenance tips, and guided tastings at the roastery.

Upon request, Maalwerk organizes customized training for teams and private group workshops. These activities strengthen skills within the region and promote consistent quality in the workplace.

Wholesale, Equipment, and Services

Maalwerk provides complete B2B coffee concepts for offices and the hospitality sector without long-term contracts, including "around the cup" consumables. The company advises on and supplies equipment from Animo, Bravilor, La Rhea, and Jura for professional and office environments.

Private label and custom blends for retail and hospitality, including house-brand retail packaging.
Business portal featuring quotes, volume discounts, and invoice-based ordering.

Distribution and Retail

The brand showcases regional retail partners via an "In-store" overview, including Meinardi, Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and VVV. National e-commerce is handled via PostNL, with a catalog of over a hundred items across coffee, tea, and accessories.

The regional focus in Groningen and Eemsdelta is complemented by hospitality supply and direct online sales. This ensures high availability while keeping origin and freshness at the forefront.

Reputation, Media, and Community

Maalwerk is listed as a local artisanal roastery, emphasizing the transition from large-scale to craft production. The site footer displays a WebwinkelKeur score of 9.6 out of 10 based on 256 reviews, measured at the time of recording.

The news feed is active, featuring a 2024 collaboration with The Kolektif and educational posts dating back from 2016 to 2020. Local training sessions and workshops connect the roastery with the community and the hospitality sector.

Conclusion for Coffee Professionals

Maalwerk Koffie presents a clear profile, featuring small-scale "slow roast" techniques, direct-trade intentions, and traceable origins. The portfolio covers both classic flavor profiles and distinctive single origins. For hospitality and offices, they offer flexible concepts, equipment advice, and training that together ensure operational reliability and flavor consistency.

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