Sunday 16 February 2014

Coffee Dubai Style. A visit to Raw Coffee Roastery

Raw Coffee Roastery. Dubai
Raw Coffee Dubai, owned and run by a Kiwi, Matt Toogood, who, according to his website was bringing in suitcases of coffee from NZ into a Western - Ozzie / Kiwi  style coffee starved Dubai and decided to do something about it in country!

I went to visit on a recent trip to Dubai.
Unfortunately Matt was called away selling to a new client, but his Master Roaster Kushal Balami was in the roastery. Not only is Kushal very passionate about his coffee and a roaster extraordinaire, he's also the 2013 UAE's Barista Champion! Talented staff to have on board. As a side note, Matt   was the 2011 / 12 Champ!

A semi industrial lane way revels its secrets.


Located down a lane in a semi industrial area, south of Dubai proper, Raw Coffee shines as a beacon for good coffee in a land where a good 'Western' coffee can be difficult to find. Raw coffee supplies to local cafes and restaurants and has built quite a reputation over the past six years of operation.
Well stocked for a busy Dubai Winter Season.











Raw Coffee has its own small cafe in front and a further relaxed coffee area upstairs with some very funky couches and tables..




Kushal Balami - Master Roaster.








Running two 13kg CoffeeTools roasters, Raw Coffee pumps out around 2000kg a week keeping Kushal very busy!

Richard and I were warmly welcomed and  shown through the facility, as would I suspect any coffee addict! The girls out the front and ancillary staff were very friendly and accommodating, explaining coffee roasting and distribution Dubai style. 


Great to see some Oz/Kiwi style coffee flair!


And great may I say to have some strong, well crafted familar Western coffee, it was very well received. Raw Coffee have several single organic single origins on offer to clients and a similar amount of 'post roasting' blended blends. Lighter roasted than we would typically do at Custom Coffees, but horses for courses, its clearly working!





I would highly recommend a visit to Raw Coffee Dubai. 
Thanks to all the staff at Raw Coffee for letting us have a poke around.

http://rawcoffeecompany.com