Kaffa Koffie

Kaffa Koffie & Theespecialiteiten is located at Czaar Peterstraat 130 in Amsterdam. Administratively, the address falls under Amsterdam-Centrum. However, local media often categorize the Czaar Peterbuurt neighborhood as part of Amsterdam-Oost. The shop focuses primarily on Ethiopian coffee, complemented by tea, chocolate, and household goods.

Marcos Desta has been the owner and public face of the business since 2007. He grew up in Ethiopia, where coffee plants surrounded his family home. After moving to the Netherlands, he initially worked in accounting. He studied accounting at Addis Ababa University and later worked at an Amsterdam accounting firm.

Before Kaffa, Desta was involved with Buna Bet, a coffee house project from the early 1990s. This project aimed, among other things, to provide employment for Ethiopian refugees in the Netherlands. After the project concluded, he independently established the shop on Czaar Peterstraat. Graphic designer Rob Westendorp created the visual identity.

The business functions primarily as a coffee bean shop. It is not a traditional café with an extensive public beverage menu and numerous seating areas. However, it is noted that coffee is served at the shop. The specific brewing method used was not mentioned.

The current online range includes three Ethiopian coffees under the house label:

The shop describes these coffees as single-origin Arabica from Ethiopia. In a 2023 interview, Desta explained that he personally selects the coffees for the range. According to that interview, Robusta is not part of the offerings.

The coffees are available as whole beans and in various grind sizes. The options mentioned are for French press, espresso, and drip filter. Additionally, the shop sells moka pots for stovetop use. For this method, the shop advises a slightly coarser grind than for espresso.

Older publications also mention Harrar Longberry and unroasted green coffee beans. These products were part of the range in 2014 but are absent from the current online overview. Therefore, they are considered historical offerings. Publications from 2014 and 2023 further report that the beans were roasted in Halfweg. The name of the roastery has not been publicly disclosed.

Kaffa has paid attention to Ethiopian coffee culture in various years. In March 2014, Ruth, Desta’s sister, gave a public demonstration of an Ethiopian coffee ceremony. She roasted green beans in a pan, ground them with a mortar and pestle, and brewed the coffee in a ceramic jebena.

For its tenth anniversary in 2017, ten illustrators were commissioned to design various tin cans. The participating artists included Erik Kriek, Loes Vrielink, Thomas Rohlfs, Marije Wonder, Leendert Masselink, Milo, Gees Voorhees, and Rob Westendorp. In 2024, Kaffa provided or sponsored food and drinks for a neighborhood dinner hosted by De Eester, attended by approximately two hundred residents.

The shop also supplies coffee to businesses, cafés, and restaurants. Local delivery within the Amsterdam ring road is documented for orders of ten kilograms or more. In 2023, Desta used the Kaffamobiel for this purpose. According to a local interview, he supplied five or six businesses at the time.

Only part of the supply chain is publicly described regarding sourcing. Desta has stated that he selects coffee in Ethiopia and maintains contact with farmers. However, his sole proprietorship does not purchase full containers directly. In 2023, he indicated that he works through importers in the Netherlands or France. The names of importers, farmers, and roasters have not been published.

In 2014, Desta described the cultivation as natural and the coffee as organic. That same publication mentioned hand-picking, sun-drying, and sales through cooperatives and intermediaries. However, current independent organic certification is not documented. No public confirmation has been found for Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, B Corp, or similar certifications either.

In addition to coffee, the shop sells products from, among others, Chocolatemakers, K&K Chocoladeatelier, Heinde & Verre, and Yalda Herbs. Some chocolate products mention organic cocoa, fair payments, or support for producers. A comprehensive company policy regarding packaging, waste, energy, or emissions is not publicly available.

Kaffa has appeared in publications about Ethiopian coffee, the neighborhood, and sustainable trade. No independently verified coffee price, competition performance, or formal hospitality ranking has been found. Additionally, no fixed workshops, recurring cuppings, or current event calendar have been publicly documented.