Origin Press Release

The opening of Origin Coffee Roasting in Cape Town heralds a new era for the Mother City. By sourcing the finest beans from preeminent coffee-growing regions throughout the world and roasting them to optimum balance and flavour, Origin is introducing its customers to the refined world of speciality coffees.

Origin is the brainchild of David Donde and Joel Singer, coffee connoisseurs who have travelled the world in search of the perfect cup. From Montreal to Milan, Wellington to Seattle, these two entrepreneurs have sampled the finest filter coffees, espressos and cappuccinos and are determined to add Cape Town to the ranks of the world?s great coffee capitals.
Starting with a speciality coffee roastery in the picturesque Cape Quarter – Origin Coffee Roasting ? they are determined to take Cape Town to a higher level of taste, away from packaged Italian brands to a broad range of premium single-origin and single-estate coffees and exotic blends that are roasted and ground on the premises. For the curious coffee-lover, Joel and David are on hand to explain the intricacies of the roasting process, as well as the range of coffees on hand.

?From tree to cup? is Origin?s ethos, evoking the close relationship between the company and the select artisan-coffee growers that provide Origin with its coffee beans. From Brazil to Colombia, Guatemala to Indonesia, Origin strives to source the best coffee beans available from every coffee growing region and to offer the ultimate coffee experience.

After the green beans arrive in the Cape, they are subjected to a meticulous roasting process that liberates the full flavour of each individual bean. Coffee must be ground and enjoyed within 14 days of roasting, which is why Origin never vacuum pack its coffees like typical commercial brands, preferring not to compromise the enjoyment of each cup. Ideally, coffee beans should be purchased weekly to ensure freshness and enjoyment.

The roastery itself recalls an era of hand-made workmanship, utmost care and attention-to-detail – the antithesis of modern mass-production. Above all, it is a space that celebrates coffee ? its history, origins, the science & art involved in its preparation and of course, the pure enjoyment of drinking freshly roasted coffee.

The roastery also boasts the world?s finest espresso machine – the Synesso Cyncra ? manufactured in Seattle. The Cyncra sets a new standard for thermal stability, an essential quality when one considers that a single degree change in temperature can make-or-break a great cup of coffee. This technology is complimented by the skill of the staff, who expertly pour shots within four minutes of grinding the beans, giving customers the ultimate espresso experience.

Besides the roastery, the aromas of Origin are subtly pervading the Cape Town scene in others ways ? principally through the supply of specialty coffees to the city?s finest hotels, restaurants and caf?s. This is accompanied by specialized training so that Origin?s wholesale clients can prepare its coffee to the world-class standards that it deserves. To achieve this, Origin is professionalizing the relatively unrecognized role of the barista – the master espresso maker ? thereby raising the bar for coffee preparation in Cape Town to a world-class level. Origin?s intention is to challenge the public?s acceptance of inferior quality coffee, thereby making the barista an indispensable part of the hospitality industry and making uninspiring coffee a thing of the past.

Coffee appreciation and general training courses are also offered to wholesale customers and members of the public.

Cape Town is entering a new era of coffee appreciation and Origin is the new standard by which other coffee brands, roasters and drinks will be measured. Through Origin Coffee Roasting?s superior sourcing, local roasting and blending, and commitment to the art of the barista, the local coffee scene will never be the same again.