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From rustic settings with second-hand furniture to modern and contemporary designs where skilled baristas pour the silkiest cups of latte, our small corner of the world is filled with an abundance of coffee shops. In fact, with new openings raining upon us, it is sometimes quite hard to keep track of how many there are out there.
Coffee is much more than latte art and fanciful, seasonal flavours. There are many factors that influence the taste of the drink, such as the level of roast the coffee bean goes through, the wash process, the altitude the bean is grown in, and the origin of the coffee.
All these factors should be taken into account when selecting coffee to be brewed, made at home, or consumed. Whether you are using a French press, boiling over a moka pot, or making pour-over coffee, having premium quality coffee beans in your disposal can impact the overall taste of your final drink, allowing for maximum satisfaction. For the connoisseurs, here’s where to buy premium roasted coffee beans in Hong Kong.
Blending and roasting their coffee in the heart of Soho, the name Hazel & Hershey is derived from the founder’s two daughters. With over a dozen different kinds of beans to choose from, Hazel & Hershey has you spoiled with a multitude of options ranging from South America to Africa.
This quaint café also changes up their featured coffee beans on a weekly basis to spice things up, keeping you in suspense for what they have in offer. Other than coffee beans, Hazel & Hershey also sells a lot of coffee accessories and equipment, making it a one-stop-shop for you to build your own café at home.
Hazel & Hershey, 69 Peel Street, Central | (+852) 3106 0760
What started out as a humble espresso bar on the corner of Cannon Street in Causeway Bay has now matured into a café serving up their own premium roasted coffee. With five locations spread evenly throughout Hong Kong, 18 Grams is managed by a world-class barista judge who can definitely boast extensive knowledge in the fine art of coffee-making.
18 Grams firmly believes that the source from which the coffee is obtained can impact the taste, quality, and cost of a cup of coffee. Not only do they source their beans from high-quality growers in Brazil and Colombia, but they also find beans from new regions and micro-growers closer to home. Naturally, the baristas at 18 Grams are trained viciously, with every one of them possessing skilled proficiency in the art of coffee to ensure that each cup is made to perfection.
Local online coffee platform Mr Coffee was established in 2016 and styles itself as a one-stop-shop for all of your coffee needs. Whether you’re searching for whole beans, ground coffee, capsules, or even accessories, one quick browse across their site will have you piling up items in your shopping cart in no time. Among their stocked brands are well-recognised global coffee roasters like Lavazza, Segafredo, Illy, Dallmayr, and more, bringing the aromas of European coffee straight to your doorstep. Free shipping is available for all orders over $450 with a delivery lead time of two days within Hong Kong.
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When it comes to where to buy coffee beans in Hong Kong, NOC is a fantastic place to start. Co-founded by the 2011 Hong Kong Barista champion Chan Chak-sum, this homegrown brand has quickly become coffee heaven for locals and visitors alike. NOC has several cafés located around Hong Kong, but only one roastery in Sai Ying Pun, where they roast their coffee beans daily.
Their house blends and single-origin roasts are all popular amongst consumers, but best-sellers include NOC’s very own No. 18 House Blend (starting from $120), an ideal product for espressos. If you are unsure and indecisive about which type of bean and level of roast suits your tastes, don’t be shy to ask their helpful baristas and tap into their well of knowledge and experience.
If you’ve ever “bean” curious about the undiscovered world of boutique coffee roasters, then let Bean Curious be your guide into the unknown. Whether you’re keen to try what a special harvest of Burmese fermented coffee tastes like, or you’re a sucker for fruity, punchy Sumatran roasts, this artisanal coffee subscription service samples coffees from all over the world so you can drink the best of the best. Opt for a monthly or biweekly delivery schedule and enjoy free shipping on all orders for a limited time.
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Established in 2011, Cupping Room quickly gained notability due to its high-quality coffee and high-ranking results in major coffee competitions. Placing as runner-ups in the 2014 World Barista Championships is no easy feat, but this team has breezed through it. Cupping Room only partners and sources from the best coffee farms in the world, doing business directly to ensure a more sustainable and premium product. Their dozens of different beans span from South America to Africa, with a trending preference for great aroma, sweetness, and clean acidity. You can easily buy their coffee beans from their cafés or online shops.
Yet another Hong Kong institution, The Coffee Academics opened its doors in 2012 and its popularity quickly fanned out, leading to outlets in neighbouring markets in Singapore and Thailand. Their flagship café in Hong Kong is located on Yiu Wah Street and they roast their coffee beans at their studio on nearby Morrison Hill Road, allowing the aromas to diffuse out of its shop, luring in passers-by to duck in for a quick coffee break.
Sourcing premium coffee beans is a thing of pride for the team and they work closely with 50 independent coffee farms globally. Environmental consciousness is factored into their approach and requirements as well so you can rest assured that you are purchasing only the best from their coffee farm partners.
Anyone who loves coffee will surely already know of homegrown coffee brand Sensory ZERO. Their flagship shop (or headquarters, as they call it) is located in Wong Chuk Hang, where beans are roasted in-house in a café of high ceilings and monochromatic colour palettes. It gives off a minimal and utilitarian vibe that gels particularly well with the robust flavours of their coffees.
Aside from admiring an award-winning coffee machine that highlights the entire visit, coffee devotees can also pick up a bag of Sensory ZERO’s own signature S0 Blend ($120). Additionally, there is also a rotating selection of roasted single-origin coffee beans on offer from countries such as Indonesia, Panama, Ethiopia, and Brazil, perfect for either espressos or pour-over coffees for you to make at home.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, David is a recent high school graduate embarking on a gap year. He is always interested in writing and sharing stories that tend to be unnoticed. When he is not in the office typing away, you may find him taking photographs, running around the city, hiking, swimming in the ocean, or just chilling with a nice book at bay.
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