Pioneering new company, Black Sheep Coffee, has launched the UK’s first fine Robusta bean product, set to turn the heads of coffee connoisseurs and seriously shake up the scene. It’s NEW Robusta Revival has a surprisingly different taste profile to the Arabica beans that currently saturate the premium end of the market… rich, creamy and sweet, with a less acidic tone reminiscent of walnut and dark chocolate.
Founded by four friends – Gabe, Eirik, Max and Anders – who quit corporate jobs to follow their passion for coffee, the unorthodox brand rebels against the status quo that Robusta is only used for low-grade products such as instant coffees. Their product, available as beans or ground, comes from a single-estate in India – the only estate in the world to have received three “Fine Robusta” certifications by tasting experts.
In addition to being deliciously aromatic, Robusta Revival is also, as its taste indicates, lower in acidity, and has a significantly greater level of protein which helps to make for a much richer crema when brewed as an espresso. Due to its high caffeine content, it is particularly well-received by athletes and people with an active lifestyle. As such, Black Sheep has attracted attention from a rather unusual crowd, ranging from world-renowned athletes to coffee experts, both Q and R grader certified. And with the Antipodean coffee revolution having spread to London in recent years, spawning a community of independent coffee shops, artisan roasters, pop-ups and a vibrant coffee scene, the capital is the perfect home for the latest caffeine rebels.
How the Black Sheep boys left the herd behind
Gabe, Eirik, Max and Anders formed strong friendships as students when they were at the University of St Andrews, where they shared a flat. After graduating in 2010, the four pursued corporate jobs until last year, when they decided to follow their passion, “leave the herd behind” and build a business around their shared love of coffee. Anders and Eirik are both from Norway, a country known to have the largest per capita consumption of coffee in the world, and a specialty coffee market that developed long before it became “Shoreditch-ised” in London, so have a natural interest in coffee. Meanwhile, Max’s family used to own one of Germany’s largest chains of coffee–roasteries before WWII, and Gabe spent the best part of his career in Italy where, amongst other private equity deals, he worked closely with a traditional family-owned Italian torrefazione (roastery) in Modena.
Having set up a cafés in Camden and Old Street, the Black Sheep boys have received rave reviews for their Robusta brews and are confident that they have something special on their hands. With so many coffee drinkers out there who’ve never had the chance to taste a 100% Robusta product, it’s just the beginning of a Robusta revolution.
Robusta Revival is available from Whole Foods Market for £4.99 or online at www.leavetheherdbehind.com for £5.40. For more information follow the brand on Twitter at @leavetheherd and Instagram at @Black_Sheep_Coffee.