Coffee is an essential part of Saudi culture, associated with hospitality, family gatherings, and social gatherings. With the growing popularity of specialty coffee, local roasters in Saudi Arabia have become a prime destination for lovers of unique flavors and high quality. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom consumes more than 80,000 tons of coffee annually, reflecting Saudis' passion for this beverage. In this article, we review the top five specialty coffee roasters in Saudi Arabia, focusing on Oro Roastery, Ash Roastery, Doha Roastery, and Aras Roastery, in addition to another distinguished local roaster, to cater to the interests of coffee lovers in the Kingdom. We'll cover flavors, roasting methods, features, and how a luxury coffee shop can enhance your experience with these roasters.
What is specialty coffee and why are local roasters important?
Specialty coffee is coffee whose beans are carefully selected from specific farms, with an emphasis on bean quality, processing method, and roasting degree to highlight unique flavors such as berry, citrus, or chocolate. Local roasters in Saudi Arabia, like the ones we'll discuss, focus on roasting beans using precise techniques to deliver a distinct experience tailored to Saudi tastes, whether you prefer traditional Arabic coffee or a modern espresso. These roasters provide transparent information about the bean's source, processing method, and roasting history, enhancing the customer experience.
Criteria for choosing the best roasters
When choosing the best specialty coffee roasters, coffee lovers in Saudi Arabia look for:
- Grain Quality: Grains from farms known for ideal environments (e.g. Ethiopia, Colombia).
- Variety of flavors: fruity, floral, or chocolatey hints.
- Roasting Methods: Light, medium, or dark roast for espresso, drip, or cold brew.
- Transparency: Information about the grain source, farm, and processing method.
- Sustainability: Concern for sustainable agriculture and support for farmers.
- Ease of purchase: Products are available through trusted stores such as Rafah Coffee Store with fast delivery.
- Adapting to the local culture: Serving coffee that suits traditional or modern Saudi gatherings.
- Customer Service: Technical support and coffee preparation recommendations.
Top 5 Specialty Coffee Roasters in Saudi Arabia
1. ORO Coffee Roasters
Description
Oro Roastery is one of the most prominent Saudi roasters, offering premium specialty coffee sourced from global farms. Oro focuses on roasting beans using modern techniques to highlight unique flavors, while maintaining a commitment to quality and transparency. It offers a variety of beans processed using wet, dry, and honey methods, ideal for espresso and drip coffee lovers.
Flavors and Products
- Ethiopia Yirgashi Beans: Wet processing, floral and citrus notes (jasmine, lemon).
- Colombian Huila Beans: Honey Processed, Chocolate and Caramel Flavors.
- Oro Special Blend: Medium roast, ideal for espresso with a rich body and chocolate flavors.
- Drip Envelopes: Ready-to-drip ground coffee, ideal for quick use.
Features
- Grain Quality: Sourced from high-altitude farms in Ethiopia, Colombia, and Brazil.
- Precision Roasting: Roasting is done using modern machinery to ensure consistent flavor.
- Versatile Options: Suitable for espresso, V60, cold brew, and Arabic coffee.
- Packaging: Airtight bags to maintain freshness with a recent roasting date.
- Transparency: Provides information about the farm, elevation, and processing method.
2. ASH Roastery
Description
Ash Roastery is a modern Saudi roastery focused on offering specialty coffee with an artistic flair that combines quality and creativity. It is known for its selection of beans from sustainable farms, with roasting techniques that highlight the complex flavors that appeal to specialty coffee lovers in Riyadh and beyond.
Flavors and Products
- Ethiopian Goji Beans: Dried processing, hints of berries and dried fruits.
- Costa Rica Tarrazu Beans: Honey Processed, Honey and Apricot Flavors.
- Ash Espresso Blend: Dark roast, dark chocolate and nut flavors.
- Drip coffee pods: ideal for quick preparation with a balanced flavor.
Features
- Sustainability: Partner with farms that support sustainable agriculture.
- Artistic Roasting: Precise hand roasting to bring out unique notes.
- Packaging: Elegant bags with valve to maintain freshness.
- Compatibility: Products fit espresso, drip, and cold brew.
- Customer Service: Provides recommendations for preparation methods according to the customer's taste.
3. Dhuha Roastery
Description
Duha Roastery is a Saudi roastery focused on providing specialty coffee for lovers of rich, balanced flavors. It is known for selecting beans from high-altitude regions and carefully roasting them to suit Saudi tastes. Its products cater to both traditional and modern brewing needs.
Flavors and Products
- Yemen Mocha Beans: Dry processing, hints of chocolate and dried fruits.
- Brazil Cerrado Beans: Honey processing, caramel and nut flavors.
- Doha Arabic Coffee Blend: Dark roast, perfect with cardamom and saffron.
- Washed Colombian Beans: Citrus and Caramel Hints.
Features
- Grain diversity: Originating from Yemen, Brazil, and Colombia.
- Custom Roast: Light to dark roast options depending on customer preference.
- Packaging: Airtight bags that preserve flavor with a recent roasting date.
- Cultural compatibility: Products suitable for preparing traditional Arabic coffee.
4. Ars Roastery
Description
Aras Roastery is a Saudi roaster focused on providing high-quality specialty coffee with balanced flavors. It is known for its attention to roasting details and transparency in providing information about the source of its beans. It offers products suitable for espresso and drip coffee lovers.
Flavors and Products
- Ethiopian Sidamo Beans: Wet processing, floral and citrusy notes.
- Colombia Supremo Beans: Washed Process, Chocolate and Orange Flavors.
- ARS Espresso Blend: Medium roast, caramel and nutty flavors.
- Ready-to-drip pods: Perfect for quick preparation with pure flavor.
Features
- Roast Quality: A precise roast that brings out the original flavors of the beans.
- Transparency: Provides details about the farm, elevation, and processing method.
- Packaging: Valve bags to maintain freshness.
- Versatility: Products fit V60, Chemex, and espresso machines.
5. Sawa Roastery
Description
Sawaa Roastery is one of the best roasters in Jeddah, known for its careful selection of beans and precision roasting to suit black and specialty coffee lovers. It focuses on providing richly flavored coffee with transparent source information.
Flavors and Products
- Ethiopian Harar Beans: dry processing, hints of berries and wine.
- Costa Rica Los Santos Beans: Honey Processed, Peach & Honey Flavors.
- Saawa Espresso Blend: Medium roast, chocolate and caramel flavors.
- Ready-to-drip coffee: sachets for quick preparation with a balanced flavor.
Features
- Grain Selection: Grains from farms known for their high quality.
- Precision Roasting: Brings out the complex flavors of each variety.
- Sustainability: Partner with farms that support sustainable agriculture.
- Location: Located in Jeddah, with fast delivery via Rafah Coffee Store.
Why are these roasters the best?
- High Quality: All roasters select beans from well-known, high-quality farms.
- Variety: Offers options for espresso, drip, cold brew, and Arabic coffee.
- Transparency: Provides information about the source of the grain and the processing method.
- Sustainability: Supports sustainable agriculture and farmer cooperation.
- Cultural compatibility: Suitable for both traditional and modern Saudi settings.
- Ease of purchase: Available through the Rafaha Coffee store with fast delivery.
Tips for choosing coffee from specialty roasters
- Determine your taste: If you prefer citrusy flavors, choose wet-processed beans from Oro or Ars. For richer flavors, try dry-processed beans from Ash or Saawa.
- Choose your brewing method: Use a V60 or Chemex for clean flavors, or an espresso machine for bolder flavors.
- Check the roasting date: Choose freshly roasted beans (within 2-4 weeks) for the best flavor.
- Use the right tools: Tools like the Hario V60, Chemex, or Baratza Encore grinder from the Coffee Wellbeing Store bring out the flavors of the beans.
- Try cold brew: dry-processed beans from Ash, or Sa'a, perfect for iced coffee in hot weather.
- Order from a trusted source: Rafah Coffee offers beans from these roasters with fast delivery to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
- Learn to Brew: Sign up for coffee brewing courses from the Luxury Coffee Shop to understand how to bring out the flavors of the beans.
- Proper storage: Store grains in airtight bags away from moisture and heat.
The role of the luxury coffee shop in enhancing your experience
Rafaha Coffee Store is your ideal destination for buying beans from the best Saudi roasters:
- Wide Selection: Provides grains of Oro, Ash, Doha, Ars, and Saawa with guaranteed quality.
- Brewing Tools: Hario V60, Chemex, Cold Brew Tools, and Baratza Encore Grinders.
- Additional equipment: Hario scales and Fellow Stagg kettles for precise preparation.
- Fast delivery: Shipping to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and all over the Kingdom.
- Training courses: Learn to prepare specialty coffee with experts.
- Customer Support: A dedicated team to assist you in selecting beans and tools. Shopping Invitation: Visit the Rafaat Al-Qahwa store today to explore beans from the best Saudi roasters and tools to enhance your experience!
Challenges facing local roasters
- Cost: Roasting specialty beans requires advanced equipment, which increases the price of the products.
- Competition: The presence of more than 300 roasters in Saudi Arabia increases competition.
- Awareness: Some customers still prefer commercial coffee over specialty coffee. Solution: Luxury Coffee Shop provides high-quality beans at competitive prices while educating customers about the benefits of specialty coffee.
Oro, Ash, Duha, Aras, and Sawaa roasters are among the best Saudi roasters offering specialty coffee that caters to the tastes of coffee lovers in the Kingdom. Whether you're looking for floral, fruity, or rich chocolate flavors, these roasters offer a unique experience that suits both traditional and modern gatherings. At Rafah Coffee, you can order beans from these roasters and professional brewing tools like the Hario V60, Chemex, and Baratza grinders to enhance your experience. Order now from Rafah Coffee and enjoy a cup of coffee that tells a story of quality and creativity.