Manhattan Coffee Roasters in Rotterdam combines a passion for exceptional coffee with the rich history of the port. The roastery was founded in 2017 by two veterans of the coffee scene – Esther Maasdam and Ben Morrow, who first met at the latte art championship and have collectively accumulated over thirty years of experience in the field.
Manhattan Coffee Roasters draws inspiration from the port of Rotterdam and its maritime history—the name refers to the Holland-America Line, which connected Rotterdam and New York in the 19th century. The city on the Maas River with its modern skyline is nicknamed "Manhattan aan de Maas" by locals, which perfectly captures the DNA of this roastery. Esther and Ben didn't want to settle for half measures – instead of specializing in one aspect of coffee, they mastered the entire spectrum: from barista skills to roasting to green coffee purchasing.
Their journey began at competitions, where they gradually earned titles in latte art, cup tasting, and Coffee Masters. Ben, formerly known as the "Latte Art Cowboy," spent five years as a barista in Melbourne before moving to Europe in 2016. Esther, nicknamed "El Patron," is an absolute veteran in the field. Together, they built a roastery focused on small, exceptional lots in close collaboration with producers who share their approach to sustainability and quality.
Manhattan Coffee Roasters works directly with farms and pays above Fairtrade prices. They support projects such as the Kinni washing station in Rwanda, which has brought schools, roads, and other community investments to the region. The roastery runs on 100% green energy, offers carbon-neutral shipping, and uses only recyclable packaging. Since its inception in 2017, they have supplied coffee to Dutch champions and their trophy cabinet is full of awards—all thanks to their emphasis on authentic flavor and innovative approach to roasting.
Coffees from Manhattan Coffee Roasters
Blueberry compote, strawberry juice, white sugar
Shoondhisa
Manhattan Coffee RoastersA gem from the legendary Ture Waji. Naturally processed coffee with a round body and distinctive fruitiness.
Shoondhisa comes from the Sookoo Coffee station, which was founded in 2018 by brothers Ture Waji and Assefa in the Odo Shakiso area of the Guji region. Ture Waji is one of the respected producers in Guji, a region renowned for its complex naturally processed coffees. This particular batch is named after the village of Shoondhisa Kebele, where the cherries come from. The beans are of the Gibirinna 74110 and Serto 74112 varieties, which were selected in 1974 by the Jimma Agricultural Research Center for their resistance to coffee diseases. The cherries are processed using a natural method—dried on raised beds, which preserves the rich flavors for which Guji is known. The result is a versatile coffee with a round body and a profile reminiscent of blueberry compote, freshly pressed strawberry juice, and the subtle sweetness of white sugar. Manhattan Coffee Roasters from Rotterdam brings Shoondhisu as a coffee that works great in any preparation. You always get a fruity and balanced flavor.
This coffee is only available in our monthly subscription. Join us and discover new flavors every month!
Choose Subscription
Blueberry compote, strawberry juice, white sugar
Shoondhisa
Manhattan Coffee RoastersA gem from the legendary Ture Waji. Naturally processed coffee with a round body and distinctive fruitiness.
Shoondhisa comes from the Sookoo Coffee station, which was founded in 2018 by brothers Ture Waji and Assefa in the Odo Shakiso area of the Guji region. Ture Waji is one of the respected producers in Guji, a region renowned for its complex naturally processed coffees. This particular batch is named after the village of Shoondhisa Kebele, where the cherries come from. The beans are of the Gibirinna 74110 and Serto 74112 varieties, which were selected in 1974 by the Jimma Agricultural Research Center for their resistance to coffee diseases. The cherries are processed using a natural method—dried on raised beds, which preserves the rich flavors for which Guji is known. The result is a versatile coffee with a round body and a profile reminiscent of blueberry compote, freshly pressed strawberry juice, and the subtle sweetness of white sugar. Manhattan Coffee Roasters from Rotterdam brings Shoondhisu as a coffee that works great in any preparation. You always get a fruity and balanced flavor.
This coffee is only available in our monthly subscription. Join us and discover new flavors every month!
Choose Subscription
Plum, chocolate, hazelnut
El Vergel Decaf
Manhattan Coffee RoastersDecaffeinated coffee from the El Vergel farm in Colombia, where the Bayter family has invested in advanced fermentation processes.
El Vergel is a farm with a remarkable story. In 2006, the Bayter family faced a collapse in avocado prices and decided to switch to coffee—at the time, they had no idea where this journey would take them. Today, El Vergel is one of the pioneers of experimental processing in Colombia. They grow over 28 varieties, study bacteria and yeast, and were the first in the country to use the kōji fermentation method. Ben selected this decaffeinated coffee for Forest Coffee directly on the farm during his visit to Elias and Shady Bayter. The coffee undergoes 48 to 60 hours of anaerobic fermentation with pH control, followed by intermittent drying at various humidity levels. It then rests in silos and cools for a full 45 days to gain complexity. Only then does it undergo the EA (ethyl acetate) decaffeination process. The result? A full, clean flavor without compromise.
This coffee is only available in our monthly subscription. Join us and discover new flavors every month!
Choose Subscription
Pomegranate, green apple, yellow flowers
Pomegranate, green apple, yellow flowers
Want to taste coffees from Manhattan Coffee Roasters?
With our subscription, you can taste coffees from various European roasters every month. Fresh specialty coffee delivered right to your door.
Learn more about subscription →