SOCOCO Coffee

Located in Rotterdam’s Delfshaven district, SOCOCO Coffee is a specialty coffee bar and social enterprise project focused on delivering high-quality coffee with a positive societal impact. It was founded by Perry van Gils, who left his corporate career behind to pursue his passion for coffee and inclusive entrepreneurship. A journey to Guatemala was the catalyst for the founding of SOCOCO, where he connected with coffee farmers from FamilyBondsCoffee and laid the groundwork for fair and direct trade.

SOCOCO Coffee is more than just a coffee bar. The focus is not only on serving quality coffee but also on creating social value and strengthening the community. The company provides a learning environment for emerging talent and works with social repayment programs. The bar serves as a meeting point for the local community, where residents, remote workers, and visitors can connect and collaborate.

SOCOCO Coffee exclusively offers specialty coffee, featuring 100% Arabica single-origin beans that score 86+ on the Specialty Coffee Association scale. Sourced from regions such as Guatemala and Uganda, the coffee offers rich flavor profiles. The bar serves both espresso and filter coffee, often with plant-based milk options to cater to diverse preferences. Additionally, SOCOCO sells coffee beans, filter coffee, reusable cups, and carefully curated bundles for home use.

SOCOCO’s influence extends beyond its physical location in Delfshaven. The coffee bar also has a presence at W70.club in the center of Rotterdam, where, alongside coffee preparation, it serves as a social workspace for freelancers, meetings, and cultural exchanges. This fosters community support and strengthens the bonds between different groups of people. Furthermore, SOCOCO offers local talent the opportunity to develop further through work and learning trajectories, using coffee brewing as a means to build self-confidence and professional skills.

SOCOCO Coffee places great value on sustainable sourcing and works directly with coffee farmers to guarantee fair prices that benefit the producers’ communities. The company promotes sustainable farming practices and uses reusable coffee packaging and responsible packaging materials for their specialty beans. The commitment to sustainability is not only ecological but also social, as the business model provides opportunities for marginalized individuals to participate in the coffee industry and gain valuable work experience.

While SOCOCO Coffee does not have formal price listings, their coffee beans are recognized within the specialty coffee community, boasting a high score of 86+ on the SCA scale. The coffee bar has garnered positive attention across various coffee culture platforms and local guides, indicating growing regional recognition and interest from coffee enthusiasts. Customer reviews on rating sites generally show a high appreciation for both the product and SOCOCO’s social mission.