Fika is the first coffee roasters to open in the city of Durham. Home to a great old Cathedral and one of the countries best Universities term time is buzzing with tourists and coffee-loving students.

Although these guys are fairly new to the coffee scene here in the UK the idea has been simmering for a few years.

With a similar introduction to speciality coffee to me, owners Matt and Lynn discovered the wonders of Australian coffee culture in Melbourne 15 years ago.

Australia is home to some of the finest coffee roasters in the world and although there are numerous roasters in the UK at the moment rivalling their quality, Australia has the edge when it comes to consistency and your average coffee drinkers expectation. 

Unlike the UK where Costa coffee rules the highstreet, Australia sees very few franchised cafes and predominantly supports small independent coffee brands. This creates an overall higher demand for quality coffee where just about everybody is a coffee connoisseur.

With more coffee roasters like Fika popping up in the UK we will hopefully start to see a change in the quality of coffee we consume with a stronger connection to the wonderful people in the world of coffee. Matt actually sent us a video of the coffee being roasted for coffee box 22, which was a lovely personal touch.

Learn What Fika Means here.

What sparked your interest in roasting coffee?

My love for coffee started 15 years ago while living in Melbourne. Before our move back to the UK I had to teach myself how to make the coffees I'd become addicted to so I embarked on my first barista course 'ABC Espresso' before leaving.

What started as a hobby has now got slightly out of hand. As a former science teacher roasting and the chemistry behind it has been fascinating to learn and there is so much more to discover and experience. 

I can't wait to get out on some origin trips once COVID allows.

What sets you guys apart from the others?

We planned to start FIKA early 2020. Something cropped up and we finally finished building the roastery in September. We try and source our beans directly where possible and like to think it's the personal service we provide as well as the quality of our coffee that sets us apart from the rest. 

First memory of coffee?

Eating a spoonful of Mellow Birds. 

Favourite all-time origin/region/lot? 

It depends how I'm brewing it. El Salvador Bosque Lya is up there as my favorite espresso but the Ugandan Kisinga crop from Agrie Evolve last year was absolutely stunning as a pour over or Aeropress brew.

Any coffees that have stood out recently?

A 72hr macerated natural from Honduras. Nely Suyapa Orellana producing the goods. A fruit bomb full of papaya and mango. 

Favourite brew method?

Currently the Aeropress.  

Favourite flavour in coffee?

Cherry and dark chocolate.

Do you have a favourite coffee roaster

I have to hand it to Rounton Coffee Roasters who have helped me massively with my initial coffee roasting training. I great bunch who produce some great coffee. Rinaldo’s in the Lakes who also roasts on a Giesen W15 and has given me some valuable tips throughout these early days.

The Atunkaa Decaf coffee from Fika Coffee Roasters originates from the Cauca region of Colombia.

This coffee comes from the municipality of Argelia which is situated in the south west of the department of Cauca.

Cauca is the 4th largest producer of specialty coffee in Colombia with around 90,000 small holder farmers all producing coffee on approximately 1ha of land.

Often these farmers are part of small associations who have very limited access to market as well as limited resources to find channels to sell their coffees at the premiums they could achieve.

Here’s an idea of what to expect from this fantastic Colombian decaf coffee from Fika coffee roasters.

Team Batch brew method of choice - Espresso

If you loved this coffee and want it to have it in your life again order directly from Fika Coffee Roasters now.