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Since June, Dudelange has got a new go-to spot for all caffeine aficionados. “BIZ Coffee Roasters” opened a cosy coffeeshop with around 40 seats and its own roastery of specialty coffee. The skilled young barista, Tom Meyer, alongside his team, have made it their mission to showcase the rich diversity of coffee while providing locals with a high-quality alternative to mainstream coffee.
This June marked the opening of the new coffee shop “BIZ Coffee Roasters” at the “Am Duerf” square in Dudelange. We met the barista and roast master, Tom Meyer, onsite, who shared insights about the new shop and the intricate world of coffee.
During his university days in Vienna, Tom immersed himself in various coffee shops, roasteries, and coffee houses, cultivating his passion and expertise for coffee preparation and roasting. Upon his return to Luxembourg, he joined forces with his three best friends from school to start BIZ Coffee Roasters. The venture goes beyond a simple coffee shop with an in-house roastery; they specialise in a range of specialty coffee products, largely unfamiliar in the region.
A New Top Spot for Speciality Coffee
Specialty coffee currently occupies a niche market that has expanded in major European cities like Berlin, Paris, and London over recent years, enjoying growing popularity. Tom and his partners aim to introduce this niche with their artisanal products to the people of Luxembourg. Their efforts, though in the early stages, have already been well-received.
Currently, BIZ offers what they call a “medium-roast” (also referred to as “Espresso-Roast”). This roast is significantly less bitter than typical industrial coffee but doesn’t overly lean towards the more fruity, experimental profile found in many specialty coffees. “It’s an ideal transitional product to show a broader audience what coffee can truly taste like.” Tom Notes.
Moving forward, the idea is to expand their range towards more specialty coffees, acquainting the local audience with the multifaced world of coffee. Their in-house roasted beans can be enjoyed freshly brewed onsite or purchased as packaged beans to take home. For those who find Dudelange a bit out of the way, the products can also be ordered from their online store.
What is Specialty Coffee?
To grasp the uniqueness of specialty coffee, one must first understand how it diverges from regular industrial coffee. Due to automated harvesting processes and the large production quantities in industrial coffee production, a significant number of immature beans make the cut. To counteract the high acid content of these underripe beans and to maintain a consistent flavour profile, the beans undergo a very intense roasting process. This burns off a substantial amount of the acid as well as the fruit sugar, resulting in a notable bitter taste of the product.
In contrast, specialty coffee champions a different philosophy. Instead of mass-producing a standardised product year-round, the focus is on offering unique coffee types. Varieties, regions, and production methods play a pivotal role. ”Just as no two wine bottles are identical, no two coffee beans are the same,” explains Tom. Depending on the harvest season in their respective countries of origin, ripe beans are purchased by the roasters. Prioritising quality over quantity ensures that the product is crafted with far more care than industrially produced coffee. These ripe beans, when roasted lightly, retain much more of their individual flavour profile.
“Of course, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea,” Tom admits. “Specialty coffee often presents a very sweet, floral, tea-like coffee direction.”
More than just coffee
At the Dudelange coffee store, apart from buying and sipping coffee, BIZ also hosts on-site workshops. Offerings range from introductory sessions for future enthusiasts, Espresso or Latte-Art courses for advanced learners, to professional workshops tailored for hospitality staff. Reservations for these courses can be made via their website.
Furthermore, during regular business hours, Tom is readily available to entertain any queries. His primary objective is to share his deep-seated passion for coffee with clients. The new coffee shop aims to be more than just a retail spot – it aspires to be a community hub for Dudelange locals and regional coffee enjoyers.
More information: www.bizcoffee.lu
Pictures: KACHEN