Meet the Roaster: Alex from Dear Green Coffee
Based in Glasgow, Dear Green Coffee Roasters have been part of Scotland’s speciality coffee scene since 2011, when founder Lisa Lawson set out to bring great coffee to the city. Their name comes from Glasgow’s Gaelic name, Glaschu, which translates to ‘The Dear Green Place’, and is also a nod to green coffee and the company’s commitment to sustainability. For example, Dear Green are a B Corporation, putting people and the planet at the heart of their business. Since achieving B Corp status in 2020, they’ve continued to improve their score and are working towards Net Zero emissions by 2030. They’re also passionate about helping people understand where their coffee comes from and the challenges faced by everyone involved in getting it from farm to cup.
As one of Glasgow’s established speciality coffee roasters, Dear Green are a brilliant addition to Scotland’s independent coffee scene. You can discover more great names in our guide to the best coffee roasters in Scotland, or enjoy coffee from independent Scottish roasters delivered to your door with our Scotland coffee subscription.
We're delighted to feature Dear Green in The Local Coffee Club! We caught up with Alex, one of the roasters at their Glasgow roastery, to find out how he got started in coffee, a Colombian coffee he's particularly proud of, and what he thinks is overrated.
Who or what first pulled you into the world of coffee?
Working as a barista in my local cafe opened the door for me. As a spry 18 year old I could only stomach vanilla lattes and over time I sunk deeper in the Specialty world.
How did you get involved with Dear Green?
I started at Dear Green as a production assistant, packing bags, and supporting daily roastery needs.
What’s the meaning behind the name (if any!)?
The Gaelic name for Glasgow (Glaschu) translates to 'The Dear Green Place', which is where the name comes from, as well as an affectionate nod to green coffee and our green values as a business.
What music are you playing in the roastery at the moment?
As a diverse team of personalities and backgrounds, our playlist jumps all over, from relaxing lofi, to hip hop, to kpop. It's an eclectic mix!
What advice would you give someone thinking of entering the world of coffee roasting?
Taste as much coffee as you can!
Are there any coffee people, creators or influencers you think are worth following?
@adamscoffeeglasgow has been putting out some good stuff!
What challenges do you face in the coffee industry, if any?
Education is a HUGE one. Helping consumers understand where their coffee comes from, the challenges that are faced all throughout the supply chain, why coffee costs what it does, and why it's important to invest in local business; transparent roasters; and producers is a mammoth task and incredibly important for the sustainability of coffee.
What’s your favourite piece of coffee-related kit or equipment?
It changes, right now, the V60 Switch.
How do you unwind after a long day roasting coffee?
With decaf!
What’s a coffee that you’re particularly proud of?
A coffee we're proud of is our Colombia ASMUCAFE. ASMUCAFE is a cooperative of women in Cauca, who have been producing coffee for almost two decades. They have invested heavily in their own learning and understanding of how to grow, process, produce, and now even roast (!) coffee. We have sourced coffee from ASMUCAFE for a number of years and seeing the progress they have made over time is incredible.
What’s the most overrated thing in coffee?
Co-ferments.
The Local Coffee Club: Co-ferments are coffees fermented with additional ingredients, such as fruit, to influence their flavour. While they can produce some interesting cups, critics argue that the resulting flavours can sometimes overshadow the coffee’s natural characteristics, with novelty taking priority over the quality of the coffee itself.
What’s a coffee-related dream you still hope to chase?
Make it to the finals of UK Cup Tasters!
Find out more about Dear Green → check out their official website
Love discovering new Scottish coffee roasters? Read our guide to the best coffee roasters in Scotland or try our Scotland coffee subscription and receive a different bag of freshly roasted coffee from an independent Scottish roaster every month!
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