Getting to know Frederick Bejo - Co-founder & Green Coffee Buyer of Archers Coffee.
How did the journey of Archers Coffee begin?
We had an ambition to open a roastery that would give consumers access to a diverse range of higher-quality specialty coffees from quality-driven coffee producers. At the same time, we wanted to provide better access to coffee education because we believe that this is how we can maintain the sustainability of our market.
Can you share more about Archers Coffee's approach to sourcing and roasting coffee?
Our sourcing approach is all about buying the freshest, higher-quality specialty coffee directly from the right producing partners at the right time within the harvest cycles in their specific regions. We always aim to balance our knowledge and passion as coffee professionals with what our consuming market wants and expects.
As for roasting, we want to showcase the intrinsic quality of the coffee rather than altering it. We profile the coffee to be suitable for the brewing device - whether it is for filter, espresso, or capsule machine.
For us, comfort comes from a well-balanced coffee with the right amount of acidity and sweetness and low bitterness. When we sip that coffee, we look for desirable flavours - not too acidic or too bitter with a good amount of sweetness.
What was the inspiration for Archers Coffee to decide to put coffees into the convenient capsule format?
We want to spread the joy of better-quality coffee, which is very easy to prepare, to everyone - whether they are in their offices, homes, or even at the gym. Specifically, we want to reach out to those people who have not yet experienced specialty coffee. Coffee capsules are a good starting point for introducing them to specialty coffee.
Coffee is fuel to get us moving throughout the day, especially in the morning. What is your daily morning ritual like?
My mornings usually involve filter coffee. I think it has become automatic for me. When I wake up or get to work, and I am not rushing, I grab a decanter and brew a fruit-forward coffee. However, when I'm chasing something, like replying to emails, I opt for capsules - Ethiopia Hamasho Village, bottoms up.
What are you most excited about right now and for the future of Archers as a brand/business?
Well, I'm excited that we have built the kind of reputation that allows us to work closely with more prominent producers, and that we now offer a greater variety of coffees here in the UAE and abroad. It's exciting that the international market has opened up to us, and we now have customers across Asia, Europe, and the US.
