Kent’s Coffee Corner 

Kent is brewing up a speciality coffee scene that is too good to ignore. Whether you like it beautifully rich, or playfully punchy with the perfect hint of sweetness, our county has just the cup for you. 

Curve Coffee

A rich and bodied elixir steeped in centuries of culture and innovation, coffee has become so much more than just a morning ritual or a caffeine-fuelled afternoon pick-me-up. From its first origins in Ethiopia to making its journey across continents, the bold and brilliant beverage has evolved through time and tradition before taking its shape into the modern specialty brew we know and love today. 

But what exactly is speciality coffee? While widely used to describe coffee of an exceptional quality, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) officially defines it as ‘a coffee or coffee experience that is recognised for its distinctive attributes, resulting in a higher value within the marketplace.’ Also deeply determined by a holistic approach to value, ethical sourcing, consistency, sustainability and the impact on the people who produce and enjoy it, speciality coffee is a cut above the rest – with both passionate connoisseurs and everyday drinkers alike seeking out these outstanding roasts and blends for their terrific flavour, refreshing transparency and feel-good ethics. 

A county renowned for its artisanal traditions and boundless creativity, Kent’s speciality scene is nothing short of extraordinary. Pouring wisdom, experimentation and a meticulous attention to detail into sustainable sourcing, science-backed roasting and creating elevated coffee experiences, our wealth of local roasters have secured themselves a well-deserved recognition on the global stage.  

With a top-notch speciality brew in hand of course, follow along as we go behind the beans with some of Kent’s most coffee-shaking crafters and small-batch roasters whose truly delicious coffee offerings just keep getting better. Alongside some handy top tips for Kentish home brewing, don’t miss our round-up of some of the very best hearty brewing hubs offering the cosiest retreats in which to savour every last drop of speciality excellence. 

KENT COFFEE ROASTERS 

Harbour Coffee Co., Folkestone

A creatively imagined coffee roasters as cool and vibrant as the coastal town it calls home, Harbour Coffee Co. – uniquely housed within bright shipping containers on Folkestone’s vibey harbour arm – rightfully prides itself on its loyal relationships with individual farmers that have resulted in a considered collection of five different coffee beans from Colombia, Peru, Kenya and Rwanda – available to either taste in-store in the form of a bold brew or a milky latte, or to purchase from their online shop.

Hormozi Coffee, Sittingbourne 

A cherished family-run roastery built upon passion, perseverance and a love for those they serve, Hormozi’s story began in 2000 when founder Chireh, an engineer by trade, started fixing espresso machines just as coffee culture was booming across the UK. Spotting something special brewing, he took a leap and began importing roasted coffee from Spain for his café clients and before long, the whole family had joined the journey. When son Rubin dove headfirst into the art of roasting, Hormozi’s true craft was born, soon leading to a beautifully balanced and full-bodied coffee collection of over 20 origin coffees and five perfected blends each brimming with heart, comfort and charm. 

“After the fire that destroyed our roastery, I wanted to turn that loss into something meaningful. Out of the chaos came inspiration, and from that, Trial by Fire was born. This limited edition blend captures everything we went through. The destruction, the resilience, and the rebirth. It’s the most personal coffee I’ve ever created, and I’m so proud to finally share it.” 

 Rubin Hormozi, master roaster, Hormozi Coffee

Hormozi Coffee

Real Deal Roasters, Deal

Lovingly hand-roasting excellent coffee on the East Kent coast since 2013, Real Deal Roasters certainly knows a thing or two about great quality beans and crowd-pleasing cups of coffee goodness. Roasted over the open flames of beautifully restored 1940’s Italian and Greek roasters which allow for each bean’s natural flavours to shine, Real Deal’s wide range of coffee varieties can be found in an array of local farm shops and cafés, as well as through their mobile shop which regularly makes a stop at both Deal and Cliftonville markets. 

Penelope Coffee Roasters, Tunbridge Wells

Heartwarmingly pouring their passion and dedication into each and every cup, Penelope Coffee Roasters’ philosophy is simple: honour the land, cherish the farmers and elevate every bean. Keen to take every step possible towards sustainable practices, while continuing to deliver truly delicious coffee, too, this family-led micro roaster has worked tirelessly to provide environmentally friendly packaging for their sublime roasts and build positive partnerships with like-minded suppliers who share their devotion for equality and education. 

Garage Coffee Roasters, Sturry, Canterbury, Herne Bay, Margate & Whitstable

A speciality coffee roastery that has shaken up the local roasting landscape since its founding in 2015, Garage Coffee Roasters crafts its beans in small 12kg batches for optimum quality, only using specialty grade coffees that are fully traceable and fairly traded. Building on its vision from simpler beginnings, the Garage team now spans shops in Canterbury, Whitstable, Margate and Herne Bay, and recently unveiled a spacious converted oast house in Sturry, home to both their expanding roastery operations and a brand-new café.

Curve Coffee Roasters, Margate

Setting out to be a driving force for positive change for the coffee industry, this values-driven Margate roastery holds quality and transparency at its very core. Striving to produce superb seasonal coffees that protect both livelihoods and the planet, founders Tereza and Jon are busy shaping up a coffee-fuelled future with refined roasts crafted with a precise and energy efficient Loring Smart roaster to showcase natural sweetness, vibrancy and each coffee’s distinctive flavour profile. 

Do Good Coffee

Do Good Coffee, Canterbury

With a profound mission to supply barista-quality beans to your doorstep that not only taste good but do good, this remarkable Canterbury-based roasters proudly supports life where it matters most, pledging a share of their profits to two chosen charities: The Head and Neck Cancer Foundation and The Bumblebee Conservation Trust. 

Using carefully and ethnically selected, single estate AAA grade Arabica coffee beans from some of the world’s finest coffee-growing regions, master roaster Philip hand-roasts in small batches on his farm. The result? Every variety of Do Good Coffee bursts with flavour, is beautifully aromatic and as fresh as can be. 

Lost Sheep Coffee, Whitstable

Deeply inspired by their travels and the wonders of Australian coffee culture, husband and wife duo Stuart and Sarah launched Lost Sheep with a mission: to bring Aussie-style speciality coffee to Kent. Today, their award-winning roastery creates fully traceable, fairly traded and hand-roasted speciality coffee, while continuing to push the boundaries of the craft with endless innovation, creativity and heart. 

“Lots of people claim to make speciality coffee ‘accessible’ – but we live it. We don’t just throw beans in a bag and call it accessible. We invent, we create, we push boundaries, we take speciality coffee and put it into products that would normally only use commercial grade coffee. We were the first in the UK to launch home-compostable, airtight specialty coffee Nespresso® pods, and the first to create ready-to-drink iced coffee cans with full coffee traceability from farm to can – something no one else is doing, even now. With more to come!”

      Stuart & Sarah, founders of Lost Sheep Coffee Roasters

Lost Sheep Coffee

TOP TIPS FOR BREWING THE PERFECT COFFEE AT HOME

Whether you’re using a filter, French press (otherwise known as a cafetière), espresso machine or an Aeropress, here are some key tips for home coffee excellence. 

• The perfect grind – if you’ve opted for whole beans, always ensure you only grind immediately before brewing to preserve their maximum flavour and aroma – keep in mind that different methods require varying grind sizes such as coarse, medium and fine. 
• Storage is key – store your beans and blends in a cool, dry place, away from light and moisture to ensure ultimate freshness. 
• Master ratios & temperatures – a good guide but varying with each method, use 18 – 20g coffee per 250ml water for filter/French press or 18 – 20g per double shot for espresso. Water temperature is usually between 90 – 96°C. 
• Pour with care – for pour-over or French press, slow and even water coverage ensures every bean’s flavour shines. For espresso, consistent tamping and extraction does the trick.
• Your Kentish taste – take time to explore and discover your favourite flavour profiles, and be prepared to experiment with grind size, dose or brewing time to highlight the full character of your Kentish beans.

Learn The Art of the Latte

Looking to try your hand at barista craft – or unsure how to get the best out of your home machine? Join Melk Coffee Co. on an insightful barista training course at their Sidcup base on select dates. Learn the fundamentals of making great coffee, how to pull the perfect espresso shot and dial in the grinder, and even how to steam milk perfectly and create basic latte art!

MELK Coffee Co.

Kent’s Cosy Cafés & Coffee Hotspots

Melk Coffee Co., Sidcup & Chislehurst 

Dog-friendly and seriously committed to serving up the finest speciality coffee, Melk Coffee Co. started delighting Sidcup locals with excellent brews back in 2023 and expanded early this year with a sleek new shop in Chislehurst’s Royal Parade. From a fabulous flat white to a superb creamy cappuccino, Melk’s expert baristas promise a consistently outstanding cup every time. 

SIP at the Signal Box, Folkestone 

Serving a wide range of teas, soft drinks and fruity creations from its quirky former Folkestone Harbour signal box location, but immensely proud of its cornerstone coffee offerings sourced from Kent’s Garage Roasters, SIP has earned itself a glowing reputation for its Insta-worthy brews, fresh stacker sandwiches, irresistible sweet treats and its commitment to preserving its signalling heritage inside too.

Craft Brewed, Maidstone

Offering a vibrant mix of craft experiences and creating an environment where connection over a great beverage is celebrated, Craft Brewed cleverly brings together two great passions: a carefully curated, weekly line-up of top-notch craft beers and expertly brewed coffees served just how you like them.

Middle Street Coffee, Deal 

Believing speciality coffee should be approachable and accessible to all, the team behind this thriving intimate indie work closely alongside the best local speciality roasters and producers to provide the finest coffee and eats to the Deal community. 

Steep Street Coffee House, Folkestone

Lovingly inspired by the quaint book cafés of Paris, Steep Street Coffee House is a charming book café and bakery serving up ambitiously sourced, delicious single origin coffees that can be traced back to individual farms and growers, alongside flavourful house blends also available to purchase in store. 

The Rochester Coffee Co, Rochester 

Expect dreamy lattes, americanos, mochas and espressos, alongside an extensive menu of freshly made sandwiches and cakes at this boutique haven nestled within the heart of historic Rochester’s cobbled high street.  

Three Sisters

Three Sisters at Gatehouse Wood, Sevenoaks

From the team behind the wonderful Three Sisters dining experiences at Chart Farm, this inviting coffee shop situated within Gatehouse Wood Country Park boasts idyllic woodland seating, exceptional Kentish coffee from Penelope Coffee Roasters and an array of treats such as freshly baked cinnamon buns and rustic focaccia. 

Aero Bike + Bean, Gravesend 

A fresh and exciting addition to Kent’s ever-growing coffee community, Aero Bike and Bean officially opened its doors earlier this year and has already hit the ground running with its simple yet brilliant mission of powering the Gravesend commute with exceptional coffee and hassle-free bike repairs.

Hope & Lane, Deal

Perched proudly upon Deal high street, this cosy coffee gem prides itself on its tempting assortment of fresh bakes and delicious brews made with 100% organic, single-source Peruvian Tunki beans. Sit inside and relish a warming atmosphere, nab an outside table to watch the world go by, or take it to go for the perfect beach walk accompaniment. 

For more Kent food and drink inspiration, click here to read our current issue.