Even before Nordbeans, Sweet City operated as a store for coffee accessories, coffee from major brands, and products from Marlenka, which Martin and Karel distributed.

At that time, only the guys, their wives, and friends worked at Sweet City. However, the guys were always tempted to roast their own coffee, so every evening they would look through the window into the empty workshop space at the back of the yard.

By early 2015, the guys were already roasting Sweet City coffee in a small setup, after which Jaromír joined them (seen in the photo preparing the first specialty coffee at Sweet City), and together they came up with the idea for Nordbeans. 

Nordbeans was born, along with the first logo, created by our friend and graphic designer Marek Vysušil. It symbolizes the Jizera Mountains and the forests that we love so much.

In April, Martin and Kačka traveled to Colombia to select the first coffee for Nordbeans. There, they met Luis Emilio Vélez from Finca Cocondo, which provided the first coffee in our production. This meeting marked the beginning of our long-term collaboration with Luis, which we carefully nurture. Luis's passion for coffee and his commitment to sustainable agricultural practices have inspired us from the very start. Each year, we look forward to new harvests from Finca Cocondo, as the quality and flavor of his coffee are always exceptional. Our partnership with Luis is a heartfelt matter for us and symbolizes the values on which Nordbeans is built.

The summer was marked by extensive planning, as the roaster arrived in September and the first roasts began to be fine-tuned. On Monday, September 28, 2015, Nordbeans released its first coffee.

That year, Nordbeans experienced an incredible leap. Right at the beginning of the year, we first introduced ourselves to the coffee community at the Barista of the Year competition, after which cafés from across the country began to reach out to us.

Above all, we heard from Óňa Štökl, who wanted our coffee for the newly opened restaurant Eska. Getting our coffee into restaurants was a dream, and Eska was the first to show us that it could come true. For Eska, we also developed a special coffee called Popík. This collaboration was a significant milestone for us and confirmed that our work has purpose. Popík became a favorite not only among Eska’s customers but also among our other clients. This partnership opened doors for us into the world of fine gastronomy and helped us gain valuable experience and new opportunities.

After Eska, the team from Dudes&Barbies reached out, wanting our coffee for the café called Kavárna co hledá jméno and the emerging Vnitroblock. This opportunity allowed us to expand our presence in the Prague café scene and reach a broader audience. The collaboration with Dudes&Barbies was an important step for us that helped solidify our market position and further develop our brand. Thanks to their trust, we were able to continue spreading our vision of quality and sustainable coffee.

In 2016, we also developed our signature espresso, Horizont, and the Christmas edition, Rodolfo, from our new friend Rodolfo.

In February, Karel and Jaromír set off on a journey to Kenya, where they had the opportunity to select Kenyan coffee for the first time during the harvest. They visited laboratories in Nairobi, carefully evaluating and choosing the best coffee beans. Since then, we have been traveling to Kenya regularly every year to bring you the juiciest coffees from the old continent. This annual trip has become an important part of our selection process, enabling us to guarantee the highest quality and an authentic flavor experience of Kenyan coffee.

We presented ourselves with a booth at the World of Coffee trade fair and brought our entire team along. In Budapest, we showcased how we make coffee up north! This prestigious event allowed us to display our work on the international stage, meet industry experts, and establish new connections.

In the fall, Jaromír traveled to Cameroon to meet with Matti Foncha and personally participate in a project that we co-financed. The goal of this initiative was to build a washing station, which is crucial for coffee processing in the local community. The washing station ensures an important step in the coffee processing chain, contributing to better quality of the final product and more efficient use of resources.

Last but not least, we began working on the DOK project. The plan was clear—to transform the old train dock into a new space, breathe life back into it, and connect communities of people. Although the journey to realize the project was long and full of challenges, we sensed from the very beginning that it would be worth it. Our goal was to create a place that would serve as a hub for gatherings, cultural events, and social activities. The DOK project gradually became a symbol of renewal and revitalization, and its success confirmed that our vision and efforts were meaningful.

Right at the beginning of the year, Martin and Karel set off on a journey to Ethiopia, where we first met Assef Dukama—the owner of the Keramo and Hamasho processing facilities, with whom we continue to collaborate today. This meeting was a key moment for our expansion and the establishment of a long-term partnership. Assef opened the doors to high-quality Ethiopian coffee, and his facilities provided us with access to unique and authentic flavor profiles. Our collaboration with Keramo and Hamasho has proven essential for our offerings and has enriched our portfolio with Ethiopian coffee, which has become very popular among our customers.

We released a special edition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Czech Republic.
 

At the beginning of 2019, Karel set off on a journey through Colombia and El Salvador to personally select and evaluate coffee right at the source. Meanwhile, Jaromír was exploring coffee plantations in Kenya and Ethiopia, focusing on discovering new and interesting varieties.

In the spring, we helped open our partner café Osada in Prague. We began writing articles about the countries of origin for the magazine BARLIFE. Additionally, we launched a collaboration with the Swedish company 3TEMP, for which we obtained exclusive representation in Central Europe.

In the fall, we released the New Standard edition, which was the first of many in today's series.

At the end of the year, Martin and Jaromír flew on a unique origin trip to visit the Arhuaco indigenous people in Colombia. During this journey, we began sourcing their coffee. This ancestral Amazonian tribe uses the proceeds from coffee cultivation to repurchase their land from the Colombian government.

At the beginning of the year, Kristýna Krejčová, representing our colors, succeeded in winning the title of Barista of the Year – Junior Champion.

Then came the lockdown, turning our plans for the entire year upside down. However, we managed to adapt, keep the entire team together, and keep everything running smoothly.

We assisted our partners in cafés and sought ways to get our coffee to customers despite the closed establishments. We delivered coffee to the Integrated Rescue Services.

However, we successfully launched the AQ3 Mini filtration system, which we developed in collaboration with the Research Technology Institute. In the summer, we made a splash with our limited edition Funky.

At the end of the year, we successfully established a partnership with Café Savoy, which we still consider one of the greatest achievements of this year. Café Savoy is a renowned restaurant with a long-standing tradition and an excellent reputation, making this collaboration especially prestigious. Our coffee now graces the tables in this elegant setting, allowing us not only to reach new customers but also to confirm the quality of our products in an environment that demands high standards.

For the first time, we introduced the White Flag coffee to our offerings, which we helped to alleviate the impact of the crisis on the residents of Guatemala.

The biggest success of the year, however, remains the long-planned opening of DOK, which exceeded all expectations. From day one, the space was filled with people, and success was enjoyed not only by the products but also by the interior designed by our good friends, architects Jakub and Andrea from ANuk studio. Their creative approach and attention to detail transformed DOK into a beautiful and functional space that immediately captivated visitors. DOK has thus become not only a hub for gatherings and cultural life but also a showcase for the entire company. This project allowed us to demonstrate not only the quality of our products but also our commitment to innovation and aesthetics.

The strategy for 2021 was to diversify our business as much as possible to create a truly stable environment for our team. We began to focus more on supplying coffee to offices and hotels, expanding our services, and establishing new processes.

The first major success came in the spring when DOK was awarded Building of the Year in the Liberec Region, an accolade we continue to value highly.
 

In 2021, we opened a bakery and began baking quality bread in the Liberec region. Our goal was to offer local residents fresh and high-quality baked goods made from carefully selected ingredients. From the very beginning, we focused on traditional methods and recipes that ensure the unique taste and aroma of our products. We strive to support local farmers and suppliers, making our baked goods not only delicious but also sustainable.

We released a charitable edition called Boccia, with the proceeds used to fund Adam Peška's journey to the Paralympics in Tokyo. This edition was our way of supporting Adam in his pursuit of a dream. Adam then brought us immense joy when he returned with an amazing gold medal. His success not only amazed us but also filled us with pride and confirmed that our support had a real impact.

Our wheat-rye bread has received the prestigious Regional Food award. This recognition not only confirms the high quality of our bread but also its significance for the local community. The Regional Food award signifies that our products are made with an emphasis on local ingredients and traditions, contributing to the development of regional agriculture and supporting the local economy. We are proud that our bread has been chosen among the best products in the region, and this award motivates us to continue our efforts in maintaining high standards of quality and tradition.

In the roastery, after a long wait, we welcomed a second roaster with a capacity of 30 kg, which significantly expanded our production capabilities. This new addition, once again from the renowned Dutch brand Giesen, allows us to increase our roasting volume while also improving flexibility in offering various blends and profiles.

In the summer, Kuba Souček brought home a bronze medal from the national Latte Art championship.

In the fall, Kuba Smolka brought home the first gold medal in Nordbeans history from the Aeropress preparation championship.

We launched a collaboration with CWA Experts, which provides us with coffee supplies for offices.

In November, we prepared another charitable edition, this time in collaboration with Memory of the Nation.

At the end of the year, we received an award in the Company of the Year competition for the Liberec Region.

The goal for 2022 was to establish a stable foundation upon which Nordbeans can grow in the coming years. We focused on defining job roles as well as the vision, mission, and purpose of Nordbeans. We built a structure that helps us navigate within the growing company. However, we also experienced a lot along the way.

We kicked off the year in a travel spirit. All three leaders embarked on their first joint trip to Costa Rica. Karel also added Panama to his itinerary, while Jaromír visited El Salvador. For the first time, Ráďa Kolombo flew to an origin to select fresh coffees in Kenya. Kuba Smolka spent several weeks in Guatemala and Honduras, where he developed relationships with our partners. Jaromír wrapped up the travel window with a summer trip to Brazil.

In addition to traveling, we also competed. After returning from Guatemala, Kuba Smolka focused on preparing for the national round of Coffee in Good Spirits, from which he brought home our very first gold medal from a competition organized by the SCA. He then represented us at the world championship in Milan in June.

We launched a collaboration with Barista Hustle. In addition to their equipment, we primarily gained the opportunity to represent their prestigious training programs in the Czech Republic.

Our unique and moist cottage cheese cake has received the prestigious Regional Food award, just like our wheat-rye bread did previously. This award confirms the excellent quality of our cottage cheese cake and its significance for the local culinary scene. We are very proud that our products not only satisfy our customers' taste buds but also contribute to supporting regional agriculture and the local economy.

We became a partner of SCA Czech Republic for the period of 2023–2024. SCA Czech Republic, which is the specialty coffee association, organizes all coffee competitions and events in our territory. This collaboration allows us to actively participate in supporting and developing the coffee community in the Czech Republic.

We introduced a limited edition coffee created in collaboration with Visit Jizerky and Jizerská magistrála o.p.s. to support the Jizera Mountains. For every package of this coffee sold, 40 CZK was donated to the Jizera-Jested Mountain Society for projects focused on nature conservation and improving visitor infrastructure in the Jizera Mountains. We managed to raise over 100,000 CZK in total, allowing us to contribute to the sustainable development and protection of this beautiful mountain region.

Radek Kolombo reaped the benefits of years of effort when he became the first in his course to earn the Q-Grader certification. Q-Graders are individuals who pass rigorous examinations and gain the authority to evaluate coffees and assign quality scores. Only a handful of top professionals around the world hold this certification. For example, in the Czech Republic, there are now only two certified Q-Graders, including Radek.

What coffee does Liberec hockey team drink in the locker room? Of course, it's the one from our roastery! We are proud that this great team has chosen our coffee, which provides the players with not only the necessary energy and encouragement during challenging training sessions and matches, but also moments of relaxation and comfort.

Jakub Souček, now a sales representative for our company, won the silver medal at the latest national competition in coffee drawing – Latte Art.

Nordbeans is entering a new era. With immense pride, we present to you our company's new visual identity. We would like to thank our friend and designer Tomáš Q Procházka, who has worked with us on the entire visual style for three years. The change will gradually take place over the next few weeks, and we can't wait to see how you like it. Your coffee roastery with a heart in the mountains.

We are launching a new coffee – Severka. This blend has been prepared as a staple for home brewing specifically for Rohlík. The coffee itself comes from the biodynamic farm Santa Isabel in Guatemala. By selling this coffee, we are helping to fund the construction of a coffee campus for Guatemalan children from disadvantaged backgrounds.