Step into any specialty café in Saudi Arabia, and you'll discover why the Kingdom has become the Gulf's coffee powerhouse. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi Arabia's coffee consumption tells an impressive story - at more than 80,000 tons annually, that's half of the entire Gulf region's consumption. This remarkable demand has helped fuel the rise and the number of Saudi coffee roasters which is currently above 300 roasters throughout the Kingdom, from the mountains of Asir in the South, to the northern regions of Tabuk and from the Eastern cities like Khobar, to the coastal hubs of Jeddah in the West.
10 Leading Saudi Coffee Roasters
Founded in 2018, Black Knight Roastery stands as one of the best Saudi coffee roasters, pioneering specialty coffee across the Gulf.
Among Black Knight's most famous offerings are Adham Blend and Black Mountain Beans. Adham Blend is known for its rich notes of nuts, caramel, and honey, making it a perfect choice for V60 brews and milk-based drinks. It's smooth, balanced profile has earned it widespread popularity among coffee lovers. Meanwhile, the Black Mountain Beans, sourced from Brazil's Minas region, are a favorite among those who appreciate a classic, sweet character with a high body and delightful nutty notes.
Today, Black Knight’s coffee beans are served across many coffee shops and cafés in Saudi Arabia, as well as in other GCC countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, solidifying its place as a true leader in the specialty coffee scene.
Roasting House
Roasting House stands as a pioneer in the Middle East, being the first production facility dedicated to weighing, roasting, sifting, blending, and packaging specialty and conventional coffee with no touch of hands and certified for food safety.
Beyond its local impact, The Roasting House has made waves internationally, participating in prestigious global events and exhibitions in South Korea, The United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and many other countries, expanding its global presence and sharing its exceptional coffee with coffee lovers worldwide.
What many people don’t know about Arriyadh Roaster is that it initially entered the commercial coffee market without a trade name. In its early stages, the roastery aimed to test the market and understand its unique needs. During that time, it successfully contracted with twenty clients, helping to establish an initial customer base. The roasting operations began in a small basement, but as the business expanded and grew, the opportunity arose to launch a formal trade name.
Moath AlMadhi, the owner and CEO of Riyadh Roastery Saudi coffee brand, has always had a deep connection to coffee. His journey began at a young age, inspired by his father’s love for coffee. This passion grew further when he moved to Portland, Oregon during his scholarship, a city renowned for its thriving specialty coffee roasters and innovative coffee culture.
Upon returning to Saudi Arabia, Moaz identified a gap in the market: the lack of diversity in coffee crops. This realization became his strongest motivation to enter the coffee industry and start his own roastery. His focus on bringing high-quality and diverse coffee crops to the Kingdom helped set Arriyadh Roastery apart as one of the most important Saudi coffee roasters.
Arriyadh Roaster places a strong emphasis on the diversity and quality of its coffee crops. Each batch of coffee is carefully selected, with no crop scoring below 80 points on the global coffee quality scale. The roastery is committed to maintaining high standards by offering specialty coffee roasters that meet both local and global demands.
The roasting techniques employed at Riyadh Roastery are integral to creating blends that appeal to coffee lovers. They use two main methods for roasting: hot air roasting and halogen roasting—an environmentally friendly technique that aligns with their sustainable practices.
Breehant
Breehant is a distinguished Saudi coffee roaster that began its journey in the northern part of Riyadh. The brand prides itself on being a Saudi entity with a unique African influence, blending regional expertise with international coffee culture.
Breehant is committed to delivering quality in both its products and services, striving to make a lasting impact in the world of specialty coffee. Its competitive advantage lies in offering both scientific knowledge and coffee expertise to enthusiasts, while also educating the community about coffee’s origins, history, and production methods.
Regarding roasting techniques, Breehant’s professional roasters rely on Giesen and Loring roasters, with the Loring roaster being fully automated to ensure consistent quality in every batch.
Sout Roastery began its journey in the world of specialty coffee in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in early 2022. The increasing interest in specialty coffee within Saudi society served as the primary driver for the creation of Sout Roastery. The goal was to produce a Saudi specialty coffee product that meets international standards of quality and flavor.
At Sout Roastery, the latest roasting machine technologies available globally are utilized. For the roasting process, they rely on the German Probat Roaster, designed to provide the highest levels of precision and efficiency with every batch of coffee beans.
Sout Roastery proudly offers products sourced from 17 different coffee crops, selected from some of the finest coffee farms worldwide. Each crop has its own unique inspiration, contributing to the diverse range of flavors offered. One of their most distinctive crops is the Ethiopian Mango, treated through fermentation. During roasting, the amino acids inside the coffee beans react, enhancing the flavor and delivering a unique and rich taste.
Bunista, established in 2009 in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, emerged from a deep passion for coffee and its continuous development. What began as a small coffee roastery quickly evolved through educational journeys, international travel, and professional training courses. This commitment to growth has played a significant role in Bunista’s success in the Saudi coffee market.
The founders of Bunista had a clear vision: to fill a gap in the local coffee industry during a time when the Saudi coffee scene was not yet aligned with the global “Third Wave” coffee movement. Through their dedication to quality and innovation, Bunista has become one of the most important Saudi roasters, catering to a growing demand for high-quality, specialty coffee.
Bunista utilizes advanced Diedrich Roasters, equipped with infrared technology. These roasters combine convection and conduction heating to offer superior energy efficiency while allowing precise control over the coffee’s flavor profile. This technology is a key reason why Bunista is considered one of the best Saudi coffee roasters today.
Dr.Cafe is one of the most Important Saudi Roasters, its journey which started in 1997 spans continents, traveling to diverse regions to build exclusive partnerships with coffee farms worldwide. These relationships ensure a continuous supply of premium coffee crops each year, supporting sustainability for both farmers and traders.
From Bean to Cup: A team of experts—including a master roaster, sensory analysts, and certified coffee tasters—manages every step of the coffee process. Once the beans are handpicked, they undergo meticulous processing, from washing to drying, ensuring the highest quality at every stage.
Since its founding, Dr.Cafe has focused on roasting the finest 100% Arabica beans from around the globe. Their automated roasting machines guarantee consistency and precision, while maintaining the beans’ freshness and rich flavor.
Dr.Cafe offers a wide variety of coffee blends, including single-origin and custom blends.Their exclusive mixtures combine beans from Brazilian Jaguar, Indonesian Java, and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, creating a rich, full-bodied taste that appeals to coffee drinkers worldwide.
In 2018, the founders of The founders of Microlot Roastery recognized the rapid growth of the coffee market at the time, and they set out to fill a niche by delivering exceptional quality that stands out in a crowded industry.
Precise Roasting Techniques: At Microlot Roastery, every coffee bean is treated with the utmost care. The roastery utilizes the latest roasting equipment and employs precise techniques that ensure full control over temperature and roasting time. This allows them to unlock the unique flavors of each coffee variety while maintaining consistency and high quality throughout the process.
Distinctive Crops: Microlot Roastery is known for its exceptional selection of crops, such as the Ethiopian Hambela, renowned for its bright, fruity notes, and Salvador Santa Leticia, which delivers a complex flavor profile. These carefully selected crops highlight Microlot's commitment to providing a unique and refined coffee experience for every customer.
Jorn Roastery, named after the process of coffee grinding in Arabic, began its journey in 2021 with its first headquarters in Al-Malqa district of Riyadh. The foundation of Jorn’s success lies in the blend of experience and passion—an approach rooted in the owner’s extensive background in the coffee industry since 2016.
Jorn Roastery is dedicated to offering a diverse selection of coffee crops, focusing on the most in-demand varieties that align with the preferences of the Gulf market. The roastery’s commitment to providing exceptional flavors ensures that each cup resonates with the region’s coffee culture.
To achieve the perfect roast, Jorn Roastery relies on the latest coffee bean roasting machines from the globally recognized Loring Company. This advanced equipment guarantees the precise control necessary to create consistently excellent coffee, bringing out the rich flavors and aromas that coffee lovers crave.
Camel Step Coffee Roasters (Khatwat Jamal), a renowned name in Saudi Arabia, is celebrated for its meticulous attention to detail in the roasting process. Founded in 2013, the company imports premium coffee beans from the best farms globally, offering a variety of flavors ranging from fruity to complex. Camel Step’s mission is to elevate the quality of coffee in the region while preserving its Arabic identity.
Khatwat Jamal has expanded from a community-focused roastery to a thriving café chain with locations across Saudi Arabia and recently in Dubai and Qatar. By investing in local talent and spreading knowledge about specialty coffee, Camel Step continues to shape the future of coffee culture locally and globally.
The Saudi coffee market continues to grow with several other noteworthy roasters making significant contributions to the local coffee culture such as:
Which Saudi coffee roaster do you prefer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Expert Tips for Perfect Coffee Brewing
If you're passionate about coffee and want to elevate your brewing skills, attention to detail is key. Here are some expert tips from top roasteries to help you make the best cup possible.
Bunista Roastery’s Advice: Focus on What Sets You Apart
Bunista Roastery offers essential advice for anyone entering the coffee industry: "Do not underestimate any point in the production chain, and focus on what distinguishes you from others." They warn against rushing into roasting and green coffee sourcing, as many cafés have failed by moving too quickly without understanding the entire process. Take your time to learn and perfect your craft.
Sout Roastery’s Tip: Experiment and Explore
Sout Roastery believes that experimentation is crucial for coffee lovers. Don’t settle for just one recipe or product—try new things! Explore different brewing methods, beans, and ratios to truly discover what works for you. This open-minded approach will deepen your connection to coffee and expand your knowledge of all things coffee-related.
Microlote Roastery’s Advice: Focus on Quality
Microlote Roastery recommends using purified water, paying close attention to the grind size, and ensuring a good water-to-coffee ratio to enjoy the best possible cup. These simple steps will significantly improve your brewing and help you make a better cup of coffee every time.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your coffee brewing, these expert tips will guide you toward crafting a more flavorful and satisfying cup.
Industry Insights: Challenges Facing Saudi Coffee Roasters
The coffee industry in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly, but local roasters still face a number of challenges. Let’s take a closer look at what some of the leading roasteries believe are the biggest hurdles in the business.
Microlot Roastery’s Challenge: Educating the Public
The team at Microlot Roastery highlights one of the biggest challenges in the Saudi coffee industry: educating the public about the true value of specialty coffee compared to commercial coffee. While commercial coffee is widely popular, specialty coffee offers unique flavors and higher quality. However, educating consumers and fostering a deeper understanding of these differences is still a work in progress. Additionally, securing high-quality crops sustainably and maintaining innovation in the face of growing competition are major obstacles.
Sout Roastery’s Concern: Lack of Qualified Talent
The team at Sout Roastery believes that a shortage of qualified local talent is a significant barrier. Due to limited resources and access to knowledge, many aspiring roasters struggle to gain the skills and expertise needed to succeed. This lack of qualified professionals leads to the spread of inaccurate and outdated information about the processes of roasting and coffee production, making it harder for the industry to grow and thrive.
Arriyadh Roastery’s Insight: A Multi-Faceted Challenge
According to the management at Arriyadh Roaster, there are several factors contributing to the challenges faced by local roasters, including:
- High import prices compared to imported quantities
- Lack of awareness about the characteristics of coffee crops, leading to unbalanced or unpalatable blends
- Limited access to modern technologies and devices for roasting and brewing
- Lack of experience in the local coffee market
Saudi Coffee Company’s Role in Overcoming Challenges
In the midst of these challenges, the Saudi Coffee Company is working to support and elevate the coffee industry in the Kingdom. By focusing on promoting Saudi coffee, the company aims to bridge gaps in education, supply chain sustainability, and innovation. They are actively involved in developing local talent, promoting coffee culture, and helping local roasters access quality beans and modern technologies. The company's initiatives will play a crucial role in overcoming some of the obstacles faced by roasters and ensuring that Saudi Arabia becomes a global hub for specialty coffee.
As the specialty coffee industry in Saudi Arabia continues to grow, addressing these challenges will be key to ensuring the continued success and development of local roasters. It’s an exciting time for the coffee community, but there’s still work to be done in terms of education, innovation, and expertise.
Looking for more coffee inspiration? Explore our exclusive selection of freshly roasted beans and brewing equipment!
For the freshest coffee experiences, visit Qavashop.com to explore our selection of coffee machines and freshly roasted beans from these exceptional Saudi coffee brands. You can also take our interactive Coffee Quiz to discover your preferred coffee type.
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