Kobean is an independent roaster in Heaton Moor, Stockport, with its shop and roastery at the same address. Its line is “Always something brewing”, and it sets out to showcase young, innovative and renowned producers through rare and experimental micro-lots. It works with the same producers year on year, and “producer representation is key to what we do”.

Most of the range comes from Colombia, and most lots are named after their producer, with the length and style of the fermentation in the title. Jhonatan Gasca at Bella Vista in Pitalito supplies a 100-hour advanced washed Wush-Wush and a 60-hour washed Castillo, Linarco Rodriguez of Betania in Palestina, known locally as “Don Lino”, a Pink Bourbon and a newly found purple variant of Tabi, and Néstor Lasso’s El Diviso farm a multi-stage advanced washed Castillo. Kaleidoscope is a washed “modern blend” of microlots put together by Cata Lab in Pitalito and is available all year. For espresso there is a washed heirloom from a women-owned collective of 754 smallholders around Jimma in Ethiopia, certified organic, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade, and roasted specifically for espresso.

Lots come in small bags of 150 or 200 grams, with a cup score on each, and in kilo bags, and wholesale customers order through a separate portal. The shop also sells cakes and pastries from independent Manchester bakeries.

Coffee on the shelf

Photograph: Kobean Coffee Roasters