The Artisan Coffee Experience

Let’s face it – instant coffee just doesn’t cut it anymore. Coffee isn’t just a drink anymore, it’s an experience. And with 63% of people in the UK drinking coffee regularly, according to Statista, it is clear that the demand for artisan coffee is on the rise.

From hand roasted beans to small batch blends and ethically sourced origins, artisan coffee reflects a growing movement towards better, more sustainable coffee. Whether you’re a casual drinker or a full-on coffee connoisseur, understanding what makes coffee artisan can transform your everyday brew into something special.

Artisan coffee refers to coffee that is carefully produced by craftsman who pay close attention to every stage of the process from sourcing high quality coffee beans to the roasting and brewing.

Unlike mass-produced blends, artisan coffee focuses on:

• High-quality beans, often single-origin or ethically sourced
• Small batch roasting to control flavour and freshness
• Manual craftsmanship, not automation
• Focus on sustainability and transparency

The goal of artisan coffee is to produce the highest quality coffee by going above and beyond.

The artisan coffee movement is part of what’s known as the third wave of coffee – a shift toward treating coffee like wine or craft beer: an artisanal product with depth, origin, and story.

It emerged in the 1990s, and it’s still growing strong, with an emphasis on:

• Direct trade and farmer relationships
• Experimental roasting techniques
• Educated consumers who appreciate flavour complexity

In short, it’s about giving coffee the respect we all know it deserves.

When coffee is labelled “artisan,” it generally means:

• It’s produced in smaller volumes, often by independent or local roasters
• Roasters use specialised techniques to preserve unique characteristics of the bean to enhance the fresh flavours of the beans.
• The process is hands-on, not industrialised

This results in a better tasting, ethically sourced mug of coffee.

It’s likely you’ve heard the phrase ‘artisan coffee’ floating around but what makes the coffee artisan?

• Farm-level care: Beans are often hand-picked and processed at origin with extreme attention to detail making the entire process more sustainable.
• Controlled roasting: Roasters use their senses to perfect each batch. Whether it’s listening to the first and second crack during the roasting process, smelling the rich aromas or examining each bean to ensure they are of a high quality.
• Freshness and flavour: Beans are typically roasted to order and shipped quickly, giving a rich, smooth taste rather than mass produced and stored before sales.

It’s a hands-on process but every artisan coffee bag is unique, and it makes all the difference to your morning rituals.

Artisan blends combine beans from different regions to create balanced, complex flavour profiles. Unlike commodity blends, these are crafted by expert roasters who:

• Select artisan coffee beans from complementary origins
• Adjust roast levels to highlight the sweetness, body, and acidity
• Roast in small batches to preserve consistency

These blends often feature tasting notes like caramel, dark chocolate, citrus, or berry.

Artisan roasted coffee means the beans have been:

• Roasted in small batches, usually under 15kg at a time
• Monitored manually throughout the roasting process to reach optimal flavours
• Tailored to each bean’s unique characteristics

This process allows for the preservation of delicate aromatics and a smoother taste.

Artisan coffee is known for its smoother flavour—here’s why:

• Slow, controlled roasting reduces bitterness and avoids burnt notes
• Freshness means oils and aromatics are intact, giving a clean finish
• Better beans mean fewer defects, more natural sweetness and depth

When coffee is treated with care, it doesn’t need sugar or milk to taste amazing.

Artisan coffee is more than just a trend. It’s a commitment to quality, sustainability, and craft. From the origin of the beans to the barista-style machine in your office, artisan coffee offers a better way to brew—and a better way to work.

At Connect Vending, we bring this premium experience straight to the workplace with our Illy Coffee on the go premium coffee stations. Because your employees deserve coffee that fuels their focus, inspires connection, and tastes fantastic.