There’s something brewing across the UAE, with boutique coffee roasteries popping up, feeding the caffeine addictions of those who want a more ethical, home-grown fix.
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Orit Mohammed founder of Ethopian coffee company ‘Boon’ pose during the interview at their roastery in Dubai Investment Park in Dubai. Satish Kumar / The National -
Dubai resident Orit Mohammed runs her own boutique Ethiopian coffee company, Boon, drawing on her family’s experience in the coffee trade in her home country.. Satish Kumar / The National -
“Boon was set up for my friends. It didn’t make sense to me that there wasn’t great coffee here,” says Orit Mohammed. Satish Kumar / The National -
Using family connections in the coffee trade, Orit Mohammed has hand-picked what she considers the best beans in the area for Boon. Sarah Dea / The National -
Matt Wade, roastermaster at Coffee Planet. He has been roasting for 15 years, after training in coffee shops in New Zealand and London. Satish Kumar / The National -
Rob Jones, managing director at Coffee Planet. Coffee Planet’s beans are imported from 22 countries, roasted and packed in its Jebel Ali warehouse, then distributed across the country and farther afield. Sarah Dea / The National -
There are now machines in petrol stations, carts and cafes. The company supplies hotels and restaurants and it offers to create particular blends for certain clients. Sarah Dea / The National -
Coffee Planet now has an online shop, a mobile-phone app, a loyalty programme and a new product to rival Nespresso. Sarah Dea / The National
The boutique roasteries fuelling UAE’s coffee boom - in pictures
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