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Van Balen Koffie

Van Balen Koffie connects Frisian history from 1881 with a contemporary range of coffee, subscriptions, and business services based in Heerenveen.

Van Balen Koffie Beans

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More About Van Balen Koffie

The Historical Return of Van Balen Koffie
In 1881, Sybren Gerrits van Balen purchased a coffee roastery and colonial goods wholesaler from Bouwe Bolger. This historic building was located at Eise Eisingastraat 2 in Franeker. By 1883, the company had already grown significantly. Preserved procurement records from that year show the purchase of 548 bales of coffee and 331 crates of tea. Around 1892, the focus narrowed entirely to the wholesale of coffee and tea. This first operational period ended between 1984 and 1985. The historic roastery was donated to the Douwe Egberts Museum in Joure, and the location in Franeker was sold. After an absence of approximately 35 years, the brand was reintroduced on September 18 and 19, 2020. The festive return took place at Brasserie De Stadstuin in Franeker, exactly at the original location. The very first cup of coffee was served here to Willy van Balen.
Fourth Generation at the Helm
Today, Mariska van Balen is the public face of this sole proprietorship. Officially known as Mariska van Balen – van den Akker, she is the company’s sole employee. She studied at the Hogere Hotelschool Leeuwarden, subsequently gaining experience at Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, Tjaarda Oranjewoud, and Park Plaza Utrecht. Following this, she spent two years working in specialty coffee shops in New Zealand and Australia. The brand communication proudly highlights the fourth generation of coffee makers. While its historical heart lies in Franeker, the headquarters has been located in Heerenveen since its founding in 2020. Regional media, including Omrop Fryslân, Leeuwarder Courant, and Friesch Dagblad, have given significant attention to this revival of the family tradition.
Coffee Roasting: From the Historic Sirocco to Today
The approach at Van Balen begins with an extremely careful selection of coffee beans and roast profiles. The primary goal is an accessible taste and aroma, rather than complex, technical competition terminology. Historically, the company took a major leap forward in 1932 with the installation of a Sirocco coffee roaster and a matching destoner. By 1964, the company was roasting several times a week, with start times as early as five o’clock in the morning. A mechanical grinder was also used for larger volumes. The company currently does not share public data regarding its current roasting model, software, or annual capacity. However, it is clear that the brand identity focuses strongly on a contemporary and accessible experience.
A Streamlined Assortment and Flavor Profiles
As of March 2026, the current offering consists of a compact line of five products. This range includes the GoudBrand, the OranjeBrand, a tasting pack, a gift set, and a coffee subscription. Both core coffees are available in 250g and 1000g bags. GoudBrand is a mild-roasted, 100% Arabica coffee, with beans sourced from Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. OranjeBrand is a mild Colombia Supremo from the Risaralda region, specifically around Apia and Belén de Umbría.
Both products can be ground upon request, making the assortment immediately ready for both home consumers and the hospitality sector. Flavors are described in clear terms such as caramel, fruity, and chocolate. The brand consciously chooses a fixed offering without rotating microlots. The tasting pack contains two 200g bags: one GoudBrand and one OranjeBrand. The gift set combines coffee, tea, and chocolate, subtly referencing the brand’s historical identity. The flexible subscription delivers fresh coffee every quarter within Friesland, with the exception of the Waddeneilanden.
Heritage, Design, and the B2B Market
The brand’s central slogan is: “Coffee that makes you pause for a moment”. Through the online “Mooie momenten” page, the company connects coffee to special life events. This heritage is visible in numerous ways. For instance, after a two-year search through Kollum, Amsterdam, and Vlieland, the brand recovered its historical delivery bike. The design also breathes a rich history. In 1895, architect N.J. Adema designed a tea bag in a stunning Art Nouveau style. The preserved Art Nouveau interior of the old building is still used by Brasserie De Stadstuin, located next to the famous Eise Eisinga Planetarium. A 2024 travel article from Reishonger even mentions the brand as a local cultural landmark. Brasserie De Stadstuin proudly promotes that they serve “the only real van Balen coffee”.
Alongside the consumer market via the webshop, the company focuses heavily on the hospitality sector and offices. The company is happy to bring a tasting pack on-site to discuss options directly. They also supply various coffee machines for business environments. In this way, the brand unites a rich Frisian history dating back to 1881 with a very modern and service-oriented business offering.

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