“I Didn’t Mean to Start a Coffee Company. But the Industry Needed Fixing.”

How a cancelled restaurant, a global pandemic, and a few bottles of wine led me to uncover what’s really in your morning brew — and what we can do about it.

Hi, I’m James

I’m the founder of Balance Coffee. But I didn’t set out to build a “wellness coffee” brand. In fact, I had left the coffee industry altogether - I was working on a restaurant startup when Covid hit.

Just like that, everything shut down. My business plans vanished. And after a few nights of soul-searching (and wine), something hit me:

People were drinking more coffee than ever… and they had no idea what was actually in it.

The Problem I Couldn’t Ignore

I’d spent 10+ years in the coffee world. I knew the industry inside out. And I knew that most of the beans sold in the UK - even “gourmet” ones - were far from clean.

We’re talking about coffee that’s:

• Mass-produced and laced with heavy pesticides
• Poorly stored, leading to mould and mycotoxin contamination
• Over-roasted to hide low quality and producing unpleasant jittery effects

And yet people were drinking this every day… thinking it was healthy.

Building a Better Brew

That’s when I decided to launch Balance Coffee.

My goal was simple:

Make coffee that actually supports your health — and tastes incredible.

Here’s what we focus on:

• Naturally clean, lab-tested beans (no mould, no pesticides)
• Top 5% of farms globally, ethically sourced
• Roasted for health - not just taste
• Nutritionist-approved blends that support gut health, energy, and focus
• Sustainable sourcing and operations that respect the planet

Because coffee should energize you - not silently sabotage your body.

Health First. Always.

Like so many others, I was changing my own habits during the pandemic.

I was eating cleaner. Sleeping better. Training more.

But my coffee? It was still stuck in the dark ages.

I knew there had to be a better way - and I wasn’t going to wait around for someone else to do it.

This Isn’t Just Coffee. It’s a Commitment.

Every cup of Balance is a result of years of experience, obsession, and real care.

I still taste every batch. I still speak to farmers. And I still believe we can raise the standard of what coffee should be.

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Backed by science. Built with heart. Loved by your gut.