Africa's specialty coffee scene: from everyday brew to artisan craft

Roland Urwin, café owner and coffee researcher, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how South Africa's evolving specialty coffee culture mirrors global trends, prioritising craftsmanship, origin, and quality-driven consumer experiences.

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With an estimated six million consumers purchasing coffee in South Africa, the demand for quality, knowledge, and authenticity in every cup has never been higher. Local specialty coffee businesses are evolving rapidly, mirroring international trends that value craftsmanship, provenance, and experience over convenience. From urban cafés in Johannesburg and Cape Town to small roasteries experimenting with African-origin beans, South Africa's coffee culture is flourishing.

According to Roland Urwin, owner and manager of a (bakery) café in southern Johannesburg and a coffee research master's graduate, South Africans' coffee habits are changing significantly. “Consumers are far more informed than they were a few years ago. They're asking more questions about the products being served, and they expect quality and consistency,” he says.

Urwin's research explored how specialty coffee business owners perceive changing consumer behaviour and the growing demand for knowledge-driven coffee experiences. The study found that while South African coffee entrepreneurs have adopted international processes, the local industry still needs a deeper understanding of how consumer preferences are evolving.

“A recommendation from my research is to focus on the training and education of both service personnel and customers. That's the best way to improve the specialty coffee experience,” he says.

COFFEE AS A GLOBAL COMMODITY

Globally, coffee is the second-most consumed beverage after water, and it ranks as one of the most valuable commodities, second only to oil. It's a journey from small-scale farms to bustling city cafés involves complex international logistics, trading hubs, and roasters who are increasingly focused on quality and sustainability.

Urwin explains that this global significance has filtered down to South Africa's growing coffee culture.