Illimani Coffee

Illimani Coffee is a coffee company located in Haagse Hout, in the Bezuidenhout district of Den Haag. The shop and coffee bar are located at Theresiastraat 262, 2593 AW Den Haag. The company describes itself publicly as “Bolivian Highland Coffee since 1993”. This places a strong emphasis on their positioning around coffee from Bolivia, with a history dating back to the early nineties.

The origins of Illimani lie with Eric Beek. During his studies in Tropical Agricultural Engineering, he spent time in Bolivia, where he visited coffee-growing regions during the harvest. Following that trip, he began importing Bolivian coffee. According to the company history, the Andes and Inca brands were launched in March 1993, with the help of Simon Levelt for roasting and packaging.

In 1997, Illimani transitioned to organically certified coffee. Eric Beek appears as the owner or founder in several public profiles. In a local profile, Eric and Gloria Beek are mentioned as the owners of Illimani. That same profile noted in April 2021 that the coffee bar on Theresiastraat had been open for over six months. An exact opening date for the shop or coffee bar is not recorded in the provided materials.

The company ties its story to Bolivian highland coffee. Company information states that Bolivian coffee grows under shade trees. The Yungas region is highlighted as the area from which approximately 90 percent of Bolivian coffee production originates. Illimani also mentions that it shares knowledge and experience with coffee producers in Bolivia with the goal of improving production quality.

The official coffee description lists Illimani coffee as 100 percent Arabica, organically grown, and carrying the EKO label in Europe. It further states that no artificial or synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are used. Biodiversity is linked in the description to green corridors and shade-grown cultivation. These details place the company within a segment where origin, cultivation methods, and trade relationships are a visible part of the brand story.

The webshop lists various coffee products. These include ANDES ARABICA EXTRA, INCA BEANS ESPRESSO, INCA DARK BEANS ESPRESSO, YANALOMA BEANS ESPRESSO, Brazil Winners Blend, JAVA, Peru Selva Central, and YANALOMA VEGAN. These names show that the offering is not limited to Bolivian coffees, although Bolivia plays a central role in the company’s profile.

The coffees are described for multiple brewing methods and drink types. Company information lists cappuccino, espresso, lungo, and ristretto as preparations for which the coffee is suitable. For YANALOMA VEGAN, the options include whole beans, espresso grind for percolators, espresso grind for piston machines, coarse grind for French press, and filter grind. The same product information also lists drip, Aeropress, and espresso as suitable methods.

A profile of the coffee bar mentions batch brew, espresso, pour over, and syphon as available brewing methods. This means the establishment is not just a point of sale for beans, but also a place where various brewing methods are utilized. For coffee enthusiasts, this is relevant because the preparation method influences the body, extraction, and overall flavor experience.

The description for INCA BEANS ESPRESSO states that it is a single origin from Bolivia. According to the product information, the coffee is traditionally grown by small farming communities. It is also mentioned that the coffee is ethically traded and that the farmers determine the price themselves. These claims are part of how Illimani explains its origin and trade relationships.

YANALOMA VEGAN is described as coffee from the Yanaloma plantation in the Apolobamba valley in Bolivia. According to the product page, the coffee is hand-picked. The vegan certification is explained by stating that no animals are used in production, not even for fertilizer or the transport of coffee sacks.

A local profile also reported that Illimani has held the EKO label since 1997. It was also mentioned that most products are organic. In the same profile, coffee cups and lids for coffee to go were described as biodegradable. Furthermore, it was stated that Eric Beek works directly with local farmers.

The coffee bar on the Theresiastraat is described in the local profile as a place where people can meet. Additionally, it was mentioned that Eric Beek wanted to organize workshops on coffee roasting, brewing, and cupping. The comparison to wine tastings indicates that attention to flavor and origin was part of that plan.

There are also public mentions of activities at Illimani. A program for a KoffieVaartocht mentioned a coffee tasting and workshop at Illimani on the Theresiastraat. Dutch Café Radio recorded an episode with Eric and Gloria in the café in June 2021. Additionally, a champagne tasting at Illimani Coffee Roastery in Den Haag was mentioned, with a maximum of twenty guests.

Illimani has been mentioned in the media on several occasions. Bezuidenhout Nieuws published a business profile about Eric Beek and the import of coffee from Bolivia in April 2021. De Betere Wereld wrote about the twentieth anniversary of Illimani-koffie in 2013 and about a conversation with Eric Beek as the owner of Illimani Koffie in 2014.

In 2021, the aforementioned radio episode about Illimani was also released. In 2025, Eric Beek was mentioned in De Telegraaf in an article about cold brew. A profile from Th3rdwave lists Illimani Coffee as a café in Haagse Hout. In the provided material, no recognition via awards or rankings has been documented.