“My story with speciality coffee started in 2008 when a friend took me to this speciality coffee shop for the first time during Secondary School. After that, I just started going every time I was in the city, as it was a good point for me and my friends to meet to go skate. Over time coffee became the priority, I began to learn more and eventually got behind the bar. Starting from pot washing up to a barista trainer before starting Swan Song Coffee in 2018. I was fortunate enough to achieve my AST license that year and placed 2nd in the SCA Brewers Cup 2019. Swan Song Coffee is a 100% independently owned and solo-operated micro-roastery.
I’d describe my approach to roasting as technology-aided artisan roasting. Using state of art roasting equipment produced by Stronghold Technology to produce coffee that’s clean, vibrant and well-balanced using entirely electric power. I roast in small batches all week long and my end goal with every coffee is always the same. I just try to roast the coffee to highlight my favourite aspects.
I only work with seasonal speciality grade coffee that has been sourced either through direct relationships with producers I’ve met or through the variety of award-winning and reputable importers who I partner with to source coffee sustainably and ethically with full traceability and pricing transparency. I forward contract over 80% of the coffee now on offer each year and work with all these producers year after year. My goal with the coffee I roast is for people to get as excited about coffee as I still do and enjoy the story of the producers that grow these incredible coffees.
