Volcano Coffee Works
Location: Greater London
Established: 2008
No. of coffees: 2
A London Roaster that erupted from a single Piaggio Ape espresso cart in West Dulwich
Volcano Coffee Works has a London coffee roastery, a café, and a team of 45 people on a mission to build the best coffee company we can, bean by bean. And the first batch of the day is still roasted by their founder, Kurt. They are known for ethically sourced, small-batch coffees that balance bold flavour with sustainability and direct relationships with growers.
The Mount Blend
Firehouse Blend
Their Coffee Range
Volcano Coffee Works builds its range around speciality coffees that balance flavour with clear sourcing standards. Beans are selected from independent farms that meet expectations on sustainability, fairness, and quality, with traceability running through both blends and single origins.
The core of the range combines approachable blends with more expressive single origins. Blends such as The Mount Blend, Firehouse Blend, Rise Up Blend and the original Fullsteam Espresso are structured for consistency and everyday use, typically leaning into chocolate, caramel and fruit notes that work well across espresso and milk. Alongside these sit single origins including Kamavindi Coffee, Hermosa - Costa Rica, La Libertad - Peru and The Brixton, which bring more distinct flavour profiles such as raspberry, honey, citrus and spice, shaped by origin.
There is a clear spread of flavour styles. Some coffees are built for balance and familiarity, like Millionaire’s Coffee with its milk chocolate and caramel profile, while others push into brighter, fruit-forward territory, particularly within the single origin range. This gives coverage from low-acidity, smooth espresso through to lighter, more aromatic filter coffees.
Accessibility is handled across formats and use cases. The range includes whole bean and ground coffee, a Speciality Coffee Starter Box for entry-level exploration, and a Roaster’s Choice Subscription for ongoing rotation. Decaf is treated as a full product rather than an afterthought, with a profile built around sweetness and body. There are also gift sets and purpose-led products such as Crisis Coffee Blend, linking the range back to wider social impact.
Roasting is consistent across the portfolio. Traditional methods are used to bring out clarity and balance, ensuring each coffee retains its origin character while still fitting into a cohesive, easy-to-use range.
More About Volcano Coffee Works
Volcano Coffee Works is built around a simple idea: coffee should taste good and do good. The business has taken a consistent approach since the start, focusing on quality over cost, paying farmers above Fairtrade rates, and roasting in small batches to maintain control over flavour and freshness. It was early to move in areas that are now more common, including introducing speciality coffee pods and achieving B Corporation status, where it now sits in the top tier globally.
Independence is a defining part of how it operates. The company has remained self-directed, working with like-minded partners across the supply chain, from farmers to cafés. This allows it to prioritise long-term relationships and consistent standards rather than short-term buying decisions. The same thinking extends to its customer base, supporting independent cafés, workplaces, and direct consumers without shifting away from its original model.
There is a clear emphasis on people throughout the business. The aim is to create value at every stage, from sourcing and production through to the final cup, with the view that coffee only works when it benefits everyone involved. This is reflected both in sourcing practices and in how the brand presents itself, keeping the experience accessible and grounded rather than technical or exclusive.
Roasting and flavour development are shaped by a culinary mindset. Founder Kurt Stewart’s background as a chef influences how coffees are blended and profiled, with an emphasis on balance, layering and drinkability. The goal is not just consistency, but coffees that stand out enough to be memorable without becoming difficult to use day to day.
Environmental and social impact are treated as part of normal operations rather than separate initiatives. The company continues to test and adopt ways to improve sustainability across sourcing, packaging and production, guided by the principle that better coffee should also be better for the wider system it operates in
