Three British artisan coffee roasters who will get you out of bed in the morning

Any day can be elevated with the right coffee, whether it’s a steaming cup in the morning or an after-dinner espresso in the evening. But not all of us are able to get to our favourite local cafes every day, which is why the rise of drinks delivery services from some of London’s best independent roasters is such a godsend. Here are three wonderful UK-based coffee companies who are worth supporting, but beware: a single sample of these beans will likely tempt you to a subscription.

Dark Arts Coffee

This devious coffee company launched in Hackney back in 2014 and has since amassed a large cult following thanks to its quirky style and most importantly, the quality it pours into every cup. Still based in East London, Dark Arts Coffee is the brainchild of hardcore connoisseur Brad Morrison, who has blended his passion for good coffee and a love of the occult, 70s hippy culture and biking to create a hugely successful brand with a taste for black humour. The good news is that these specialist roasters are offering up their beans for delivery across the UK. You can try some of their bestselling boxes, like fiendishly fruity Raise the Dead – naturally processed from Ethiopia with sweet notes of pineapple, strawberry and mango – or indulgent Dude Ranch – family-grown Brazilian beans with notes of black grape, Brazil nut and chocolate. Alternatively, you can purchase a regular subscription or a specialist coffee kit, from limited edition bean grinders and drip scales to electric kettles. Fans can even pick up fun merchandise such as mugs, pins, tote bags and t-shirts or follow their dedicated YouTube channel. Order online here.

Chimney Fire Coffee

If you are looking for an ethical coffee brand whose values are as rock-solid as their flavours, Surrey-based roasters Chimney Fire Coffee produce and supply a fully sustainable range of speciality coffees direct to your door. You can enjoy your cup guilt-free as the brand ensures every part of the coffee journey puts people and the planet first by focusing on transparent sourcing, working directly with farmers and sharing their stories, as well as using biodegradable packaging. The eight unforgettable coffees in their core collection are sourced from around the world to suit a myriad of different tastes. We recommend trying an introductory taster pack: it’s heaven for coffee lovers and potential coffee converts, packed with six fragrant varieties (available ground or as beans). Start with the espressos – if you’re and afficionado with a machine, you won’t be disappointed with the classic chocolate-tinged Peru El Palto and then the signature nutty Brazil Fazenda Sertao. Then dive into the accessible omni roasts with a taste of Guatemala San Antonio and Colombia Gran Galope, suitable for all brewing methods, from the aeropress to the cafetiere. For a filter roast that’s perfect for a percalator, try the sweet Salvador El Cipres and the floral Ethiopia Tega & Tula. 

Artisan Coffee Co

After over 20 years with Heston Blumenthal and The Fat Duck Group, Ashley Palmer-Watts announced his departure at the end of 2019. Since then, the Michelin-starred chef has been working on a brand-new business in the shape of Artisan Coffee Co, creating a range of fresher, purer and noticeably more delicious coffees delivered direct to your door. By pushing the boundaries and adopting a meticulously scientific approach to taste and flavour, the team at Artisan Coffee Co have crafted an at-home coffee experience that can be tailored to everyone, no matter how you take your cup. The team feel that in day-to-day life, a great coffee shouldn’t require barista-level skills or expensive equipment. Artisan’s coffee is avilable as whole beans, Nespresso pods and 30g sachets, which are revolutionary to the coffee drinker; the minute a standard 240g bag of ground coffee is opened it is depreciating in aroma, leading to loss of flavour. These smaller sachets are delivered in recyclable boxes, to be opened each morning thus maintaining aroma, taste and freshness, to be brewed in Moka pot or cafetière. Shop the range online here.

The editorial unit