Hansa Coffee, a Sri Lankan specialty coffee company, has a history rooted in reviving the island’s coffee industry after a devastating blight. It all began in the mid-1990s when Harm van Oudenhoven from the Netherlands and Lawrence Goldberg from Seattle, USA, collaborated with a belief that good coffee could still be found in Sri Lanka. The operation first started with a small roaster in Nuwara Eliya and have since grown to produce high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans, focusing on sustainable practices and community partnerships.
Here’s a more detailed look at Hansa Coffee’s history :
- Early Days:Harm van Oudenhoven, involved in the Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP) in Nuwara Eliya, partnered with Lawrence Goldberg, who was working for a local NGO.
- Inspiration: Hansa was inspired by Sri Lanka’s past as a coffee producer and the potential to revive the industry after a coffee leaf rust disease had shifted the focus to tea.
- Small Beginnings: Their initial operations were humble, starting with a five-kilo coffee roaster in a garage in Nuwara Eliya.
- Focus on Quality: Hansa Coffee emphasizes high-quality, dry-processed Arabica and Robusta beans, sourced from local forest gardens.
- Community Involvement: They’ve maintained a commitment to supporting farmers and fostering community partnerships.
- Expansion and Recognition: Hansa Coffee has expanded its reach, offering its products in supermarkets and its own factory.
- Unique Products: Besides coffee, their sister company Serendib Chocolates also produces high-percentage bean-to-bar chocolate products, including a 100% bean-to-bar cacao slab.
- International Presence: Hansa Coffee has gained recognition for its quality and flavor, with fans worldwide.