Are you ready to discover the best coffee roasters in Edinburgh UK?
With over 10+ years of experience as a professional barista and coffee trainer, I've spent countless hours in the rich world of UK coffee.
Across the nation, there are over 650 roasters, each with a unique approach and technique.
Finding the best involves considering factors like price, sustainability, customer reviews, flavour, roast type, and more.
Fortunately, I've done the hard work for you. After 18 months of careful taste-testing, THREE (3) brands have risen above the rest.
The below 3 brands excel in flavour, offer FREE shipping, provide FAST delivery, give great discounts, and maintain exceptional bean quality:
- Balance Coffee (Beginners & Expert Friendly) + GET 15% OFF
- Artisan Coffee
- Machina Coffee
Note: Use the below SKIP LINKS to navigate to the section majority of the 2000 readers focus on.
These places are more than businesses; they are craft masters. They transform simple coffee beans into extraordinary cups that delight the senses.
So, grab your mug and join me as we dive into the best coffee roasters Edinburgh UK in 2024. Let’s get started!
Top Coffee Roasters in Edinburgh UK At A Glance
Are you ready to sip the perfect cup of coffee? It all begins with the right beans!
Choosing the best coffee roasters in the UK is a must, especially if you care about your health.
Did you know? Over 90% of coffee beans sold are 'commodity coffee', and they're not great for your health. They can have unpleasant stuff like mycotoxins, mould, and pesticides.
That's why I've picked out 3 awesome brands that I love and use myself.
These brands roast coffee beans that taste amazing and make you want more!
Plus, they roast your coffee beans when you order them. You get FREE shipping and super FAST delivery.
And guess what? Brands like Balance Coffee even offer a £5 discount for new customers. So, you can try any coffee you like!
Explore a symphony of flavours when you use the roasters in the table today.
| Product | Benefits | where to buy |
|---|---|---|
Balance Coffee |
|
Save £5 Today |
Artisan Roast |
|
Shop Now |
Machina Espresso |
|
Shop Now |
Criteria For Picking Each Brand
This city teems with remarkable talent, but not all the coffee roasters here can make the cut.
After sampling countless cups of coffee and interacting with the local roasters, I formulated a unique selection process.
| Analysis Factor | How I Judged The Factor |
|---|---|
| Freshness of The Coffee | Roast date and size of the roasting batches |
| Healthy or Unhealthy Coffee | Tested and screened for nasties like mycotoxins, mould and pesticides |
| Traceability | High-quality sourcing and traceability of the supply chain |
| Flavour Profile (of course!) | Tasting notes and flavours |
| Brand credibility and reputation | Customer reviews |
| Value for money | The price and quality mix |
It was based on five crucial criteria encapsulating what every coffee lover seeks.
P.S: Not all of the roasters on my list are located inside Edinburgh, but they deliver nationwide!
Longevity
Longevity in this business means a lot to me. It's not just about the years a brand has been in operation but its journey and evolution.
A brand that has thrived over the years has the wisdom of experience and refined artistry in its craft.
That's a unique flavour you can't replicate in a freshly started venture.
Customer satisfaction (Reviews)
Next comes customer satisfaction. Through my interactions and experiences, I had to pay attention to how these roasters value their customers.
Are they just selling coffee, or are they nurturing a community?
The brands that made the cut have a shining track record of satisfied customers who rave about their service as much as their coffee.
Speed delivery
The speed of delivery was a decisive factor for me. I mean, who wants to wait forever for their coffee to arrive? Freshly roasted coffee beans are a fleeting, ephemeral delight. The faster you can enjoy your brew, the fresher and more flavourful it will be.
Trustworthiness
Then, I considered their trustworthiness. As a long-time coffee enthusiast, I've had my share of false promises.
So, I closely scrutinised each brand's reputation, ethical sourcing practices, transparency, and how they uphold their promises.
The ones on this list have earned not just my trust but the trust of the Edinburgh coffee community.
Range of coffees
Finally, the range of coffees offered by each Edinburgh coffee roastery played a vital role in my decision-making.
Every coffee lover enjoys a bit of variety – different beans, roasts, blends, and flavours.
The brands I've chosen cater to this desire, offering a rich assortment of coffees that intrigue and delight in equal measure.
And that, my friends, is how I selected the coffee roasters that made this list.
5 Best Coffee Roasters In Edinburgh UK
Each coffee roaster I've listed in this list is part of Edinburgh's rich tapestry, contributing its unique blend of expertise, passion, and innovation to the local coffee scene.
As we delve into the stories of the five best independent coffee roasters in Edinburgh, we celebrate their exceptional offerings and the unyielding spirit of craft and creativity that runs through the heart of this city.
Balance Coffee Roastery (Best Overall)
At the heart of the Edinburgh coffee scene is Balance Coffee, a brand born out of passion, resilience and innovation in 2019 amidst the adversity of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As the proud founder, I've guided Balance Coffee to pioneer new grounds in the UK coffee landscape, such as introducing our unique Lion's Mane Mushroom Coffee, a product that none of our competitors currently offer.
We're proud of our Espresso Taster Pack, a sensory experience that takes your palate across our signature Stability Blend, Level Up Blend, and Rotate Espresso.
As a matter of fact, these are the exact same products I recommended when I wrote the article best coffee roasters Brighton.
Our coffee beans Edinburgh caters to coffee entthusiasts who value health and wellbeing above anything else.
Between if you're looking for the best decaf, medium, light and dark roast beans here in the UK, you should check out our previous post on the following:
- Best decaf coffee beans in the UK
- Best medium roast coffee beans in the UK
- Best light roast coffee beans in the UK
- Best dark roast coffee beans in the UK
Each offering emanates a comforting chocolate flavour profile, drawing praise from a legion of our customers.
Here is what so many of our satisfy customers are saying:
Ammit said: "Great coffee! The quality is always on point, and, for me, it's important to know where your coffee is coming from and what the company stands for. That's why I can always rely on Balance."
Dan said: "The coffee carries its name, it's balanced and offers the palate a nuance of tastes."
Lizzie said: Stability was my favourite from the pack, but all delish.
At Balance Coffee, our dedication to quality extends beyond coffee blends. We meticulously source the finest speciality beans from renowned coffee-growing regions, including Brazil, Uganda, Mexico, and Guatemala.
This commitment reflects in our eight distinct coffee products, each offering a unique journey of healthy coffee and flavours.
While our vision and products are integral, the bedrock of Balance Coffee is our customers. This is why we offer a coffee subscription.
You can get your coffee weekly, fortnightly, and monthly. We can confidently say that Balance Coffee is the best place to buy coffee beans in London.
Now click here to shop our Espresso Taster Pack to brew energy boosting coffee.
And if you prefer the option of Lion's Mane coffee, I recommend you read my article on the best Lion's Mane coffee. It's quite entertaining if you ask me.
Artisan Roast
Artisan Roast, established in 2007, is an Edinburgh institution that has captured coffee lovers' hearts and taste buds across the UK.
Their unique coffee varieties and customer-centric approach are the secret ingredients behind their resounding success. They offer seven different coffee varieties, each distinct in flavour profile and origin.
Their standout product, EL CONJURO, hails from the lofty mountains of Peru. This coffee has a captivating flavour combination of lemon zest, toffee and butterscotch. It's a unique brew that has resonated with Artisan Roast's customers.
Peter said: "EL CONJURO is my morning wake-up call. The toffee flavour mixed with lemon zest is a fantastic way to start the day."
Rachel said: "I love exploring single-origin coffees. Artisan Roast's offerings from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru are exceptional in their unique flavour profiles."
Artisan Roast's commitment to sourcing coffee from specific regions like Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru ensures the uniqueness of their coffees.
These folks offer a flexible coffee subscription service, providing delivery options that suit your needs. You can choose weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly deliveries, depending on how frequently you like your coffee fresh.
Yes, Artisan Roast is one of Edinburgh's best speciality coffee roasters.
Machina Espresso
One of the beauties of a vibrant coffee scene is the variety it affords us, and few roasters embrace this as much as Machina Espresso.
Founded in 2013, they've burst onto Edinburgh's coffee landscape with an impressive offering of 19 unique coffee options. It's like they've got an answer to every coffee desire you might have.
However, one brew steals the limelight - the Cachoeiras, Brazil Espresso. As I savoured my first sip, it was like biting into a piece of luxurious fudge, chased by the rich taste of milk chocolate, and ending with a memorable pecan finish.
It's a sensory experience that simply stands out. Don't just take my word for it.
Mike said: "The Cachoeiras is a taste sensation! The fudge and chocolate notes are the perfect start to any day."
Sophia said: "The depth of choice at Machina is astonishing, but the Brazil Espresso is my favourite. That pecan finish is just out of this world!"
With options of 250g and 1kg coffee bags, they cater to casual coffee drinkers and ardent aficionados alike.
This flexibility, with a good delivery turnaround and a range of high-quality coffee, speaks volumes about their commitment to customer satisfaction.
Fortitude Coffee
Now, when it comes to finding where to buy flavourful and caffeine-free coffee beans, I can tell you it's no easy feat. Yet, this is precisely where Fortitude Coffee shines.
Born in 2014, their dedication to offering a fantastic decaf option has not gone unnoticed, and it's part of the reason they've earned a spot on my list.
The MUSTAFA, a decaf coffee sourced from Colombia, is their standout product for me.
It's like you're lounging on a Sunday afternoon, indulging in a cup that greets you with the sweetness of an apricot, followed by the comforting taste of honey, and finishes with a cocoa flourish.
This brew does just that, delivering the complexity and depth of flavours you desire minus the caffeine.
One of their customers vouches for it too.
Emily shared: "I've tried many decaf coffees, but none have the depth of flavours like MUSTAFA. The honey and cocoa notes are simply incredible!"
Beyond the MUSTAFA, Fortitude offers five other unique coffee varieties, each promising a delightful journey of tastes.
Their commitment and high customer satisfaction make them an easy recommendation for any coffee lover seeking the best roasters in Edinburgh.
As you walk through the coffee products in their online store, you'll see why they've earned their spot here as one of the top Edinburgh coffee roasters.
Steampunk Coffee
Fifth on our list, but not to be overlooked, is Steampunk Coffee. First opening their doors in 2012, they have enticed coffee enthusiasts with their captivating brews and approachable charm.
Steampunk strikes an impressive balance between delivering an array of remarkable coffees while maintaining a robust commitment to their customers and speed of delivery.
The coffee I wholeheartedly recommend you try from Steampunk is their PAPUA NEW GUINEA MADAN ESTATE. As you take your first sip, you will taste the yellow plum sweetness, smoothly transitioning into a mellow brown sugar undertone.
Then, as if by magic, the coffee rounded off with a lovely roasted cashew finish. Quite the rollercoaster of flavours, but all tied together beautifully.
Steampunk's customers echo the praise.
Frances said: "The PAPUA is a game-changer. The plum and brown sugar flavours are superbly balanced!"
Similarly, another customer also had something to say.
Liam said, "This coffee is a real treat. The cashew finish is remarkable and leaves me wanting more every time."
Lastly, Sarah shared, "Steampunk coffee never disappoints, but this blend is exceptional. It's become my go-to morning brew."
Steampunk's dedication to offering these unique and delightful coffee experiences and its impressive range of seven distinct coffees firmly places them among the best coffee bean roasters in Edinburgh.
Before I dive into the conclusion, please take your time to recommend our best coffee roasters Leeds guide if you have friends and family living there.
People Also Ask Questions (FAQs)
Let’s all the questions that you have below.
Let’s dive in now, shall we?
What Is the Best Coffee in Edinburgh?
In my expert opinion, Balance Coffee delivers the finest coffee in Edinburgh. With the coffee sourced from some of the world's best coffee-growing regions, each bean is handled carefully, from the farms to your cup. The result? A well-rounded, flavourful coffee experience that truly stands out.
What Are the Best Brewing Kits To Have After Buying Coffee Beans?
There's a wide array of brewing kits to suit every coffee enthusiast. After purchasing your coffee beans, you might consider kits like an AeroPress, a Chemex, or a French Press. A Moka Pot could also be a great choice for a smooth and full-bodied brew. Each kit offers a unique brewing experience.
What Is the Best Grinder I Can Use to Grind Coffee Beans?
Grinding coffee is an art. And the Sage Smart Grinder Pro is an artist's tool. It offers high precision and consistency, key factors for unlocking your beans' fullest potential. Lucky for you, this fantastic grinder is available in our Balance Coffee online store.
What Best Coffee Drink Can I Make With My Coffee Beans?
You're only limited by your imagination here. From robust espressos to soothing flat whites, rich lattes to refreshing iced coffee - your beans, your rules. The joy of coffee is in its versatility, and I encourage you to experiment and discover what excites your taste buds the most.
Where to Buy Coffee Beans in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is home to a host of amazing speciality coffee roasteries. You can buy top-notch beans from Balance Coffee, Artisan Roast, Machina Espresso, Fortitude Coffee, or Steampunk Coffee. All these roasteries offer online stores to make your coffee shopping easier.
Is There Coffee Cupping in Edinburgh?
Yes, indeed! Many roasters and coffee shops in Edinburgh, including Balance Coffee, host coffee cupping sessions. It's a great opportunity to learn about coffee origins, flavours, and brewing techniques. You might find it a fun and enriching experience to join.
How Much Does a Bag of Coffee Cost in Edinburgh?
The cost of a bag of coffee in Edinburgh varies, typically ranging from £6 to £30. Factors like bean origin, roasting method, and quality play into the cost. At Balance Coffee, we offer a selection of speciality coffees that provide excellent value for every pound spent.
Conclusion
In our aromatic journey through Edinburgh's finest coffee roasters, we've discovered the true beauty of the coffee world. Each roastery, with its unique flair and coffee bean with its distinct notes, has been a rich, flavourful exploration.
But if there's one thing I've realised, it's that coffee isn't just about taste; it's about experience, quality, and the care put into each step of the process.
Balance Coffee embodies this ethos. We're not just offering you coffee. We're offering a world of aromatic discovery at your doorstep.
Our Espresso Taster Pack and Lion's Mane mushroom coffee remain customer favorites, a testament to our dedication to quality and innovation. And now, I invite you to become part of our community.
Take advantage of Balance Coffee subscription and dive into the wealth of experiences our coffees offer.
It's not just a subscription but an invitation to discover, enjoy, and be part of the best coffee subscription in the UK.
So, shall we start brewing?
