Greytone Coffee began, by its own account, as a pursuit of peace. The shop in St Paul’s is a minimalist room built for slowing down, with every element chosen to keep it calm and quiet.

The roastery moves away from the usual split between espresso and filter roasts. Greytone aims for a harmonious roast that brings out the qualities of the green coffee and stays versatile enough for any brewing method, with a clean, balanced cup that remains true to its origin.

The coffees are single origins from Ethiopia, Colombia, Peru and Kenya, each sold under the name of its farm, producer or washing station, with region, altitude, variety and process, plus resting times and brew ratios for filter and espresso. Among them is a geisha from Ebert Huaman Villegas, sourced with Khipu Coffee: his family has run Finca Artemira in Cajamarca for more than 40 years, and he placed 18th at the 2023 Cup of Excellence in Peru.

Coffee on the shelf

Photograph: Greytone Coffee