Artisan coffee is finding a home at the coast thanks to a new company which roasts beans from around the world in north Norfolk.
Launched almost two years ago, Grey Seal Roastery encourages people to treat speciality coffee like a fine wine, appreciating its different flavours, smells and origins.
Now the family-run business has opened its own cafe in Blakeney, serving customers drinks made with its small-batch roasted beans from countries across the globe including Nicaragua, Malawi and Thailand.
'People are getting more and more into coffee,' said roaster and joint-owner David Lane. 'It is an incredibly competitive market.'
Named after the nearby seals at Blakeney, Grey Seal roasts its coffee beans at Glandford, next to a vegetarian restaurant owned by Mr Lane and co-owners, father-and-son team Marc and Tobias Sangster-Bullers.
The company now roasts three quarters of a tonne of coffee each month, and turnover has increased 15pc on last year up to £90,000.
The trio of directors want to open further shops in Wells and Burnham Market, and hope to expand into Norwich, opening a cafe and supplying others with their 15 speciality roasts.
'The speciality coffee market can just keep on growing,' said Mr Lane. 'This time next year we want to have three or four of our own coffee shops.'
The business is hoping to take on an apprentice, and its espresso blend was awarded two stars from Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Foods.
And the Norfolk-roasted coffee has been showcased across Europe, at the London Coffee Festival, London's Caffé Culture event, the Amsterdam Coffee Festival and the World of Coffee Festival in Gothenburg Sweden.
Have you launched a new business? Call business writer Sabah Meddings on 01603 772879 or email sabah.meddings@archant.co.uk
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