Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters

Recently, the roastery earned national recognition by winning the “Best Challenge Roast” award at Porto Coffee Week’s Best Coffee Roaster Competition. “We are incredibly honoured to receive the award and passionate about bringing great quality coffee to the Algarve”, Henning Schlueter, Roast Master and co-founder of Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters told The Portugal News.

The unknown origin of their award-winning roast was traced to El Salvador, Villa Galicia, – with fruity flavours of pineapple, caramel, and dark chocolate – which is now available for sampling in their store and online.

The journey to specialty coffee

When the founders of Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters moved to Portugal, they weren’t sure what their next step would be, but they knew they wanted to pursue something they were truly passionate about, rather than just another 9 to 5 job. “I worked in IT, so I’ve had a lot of coffee in my life, and a lot of bad coffee too”, he said. “I’ve always considered myself an avid coffee drinker, the base flavour I always liked.”

“While we were figuring out what to do, I began ordering a few coffees mainly from Scandinavia and Central Europe, not really knowing much about specialty coffee when I did”, Henning recalled. “I also bought a small sample roaster and started experimenting with taste profiles and different beans on my balcony. It was fascinating how a tiny seed could reveal such flavours, from floral jasmine tea to hints of strawberries or blueberries.”

What started as a personal exploration grew into a professional pursuit. “Coffee is like Pandora’s box. Every time you think you’ve figured it out, it opens up more possibilities”, he explained. Today, their micro-roastery stands as a beacon for both coffee aficionados and casual drinkers.

A coffee experience beyond the cup

Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters combines its micro-roastery with a coffee shop and brunch restaurant. “Guests experience us differently depending on their focus. Some come for brunch with eggs benedict and French toast bites, while others seek our specialty coffees”, Henning noted. The menu features a curated selection of 10 distinct flavour profiles from coffee-growing regions such as Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Honduras.

Their team uses a fluid-bed roaster that relies on hot air to roast the beans evenly, preserving their delicate flavours. “Roasting is about timing and precision. Once you hear the “first crack” in the beans, the timer starts for flavour development”, he elaborated on the roasting process.

“Coffee isn’t just a bitter drink you need to sweeten. It’s an experience, with endless variety.” For Henning, the best way to appreciate the intricate flavours of specialty beans is through filtered coffee.

Porto Coffee Week

Porto Coffee Week, one of the largest annual coffee festivals, celebrates the best and latest of the coffee industry. Organised by Tasteology, with sponsorship from Belco and SAGE, the event brings together professionals and enthusiasts from across the country.

Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters’ victory in the “Best Challenge Roast” category stemmed from their ability to adapt to an unknown coffee. “We were given beans of undisclosed origin and tasked with creating a roast that brought out its best characteristics”, he recounted. Their success speaks to the roastery’s expertise and collaborative ethos. “What I loved the most was that each award category had a different winner. It shows how diverse and talented the roasting community is in Portugal.”

“I believe we’re all better than what we give ourselves credit for, and we’re not that far spread apart”, Henning mentioned. “I feel quite humbled because I wasn’t counting on winning, there were some really good attempts, and I wasn’t even sure if the one I liked the most was mine or not.”

Ecological standards

At the heart of Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters’ operations is a commitment to sustainability, supporting farmers dedicated to eco-friendly practices by sourcing specialty-grade beans – those scoring above 80 points on the Specialty Coffee Associations’ scale.

“Our values also align with other practices such as transporting green coffee by sailboat”, Henning shared. “It’s slower and less predictable, but it cuts the carbon footprint significantly. Small changes like these can have a huge impact.”

“There are so many farms and coffees I’ve yet to discover”, he added. “Each new bean is an opportunity to learn and grow.” Whether it’s experimenting with new roasts or expanding their offerings, the Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters remain devoted to excellence.

Reflecting on their Porto Coffee Week win, Henning concluded, “I went there to gain experience and walked away with an award. But the real joy is sharing what we do with our guests and seeing them discover the magic of specialty coffee.”

A journalist that’s always eager to learn about new things. With a passion for travel, adventure and writing about this diverse world of ours.

“Wisdom begins in wonder” -  Socrates

Kate Sreenarong