101 Reasons to visit Namibia: Local Coffee Houses

A familiar aroma fills the air, almost like a warm blanket that is wrapped around one’s 
shoulders. The scent of toasted nuts and dark chocolate feels strangely emotional. The 
smell of coffee is layered and creates a sense of peace! The first sip makes the cold 
winter air disappear and what is left is only a moment of pure joy. 

For many people around the world, coffee is the best way to start the day. After a 
rejuvenating sleep, coffee is the only thing that drives one to get up in the morning. The 
aroma and the bitter taste warm you up from the inside as if breathing new life into body 
and soul! Most Namibians love their cup of coffee and Namibia is known for its 
exceptional coffee roasters. 

When thinking about coffee places like Ethiopia, Colombia and Brazil come to mind. 
This is where the magic happens, but a place like Namibia does not really feature. 
Because Namibia is largely desert, coffee plants are not likely to grow in our warm and 
dry environment. However, this does not mean we cannot roast exceptionally good 
quality coffee!

We have several coffee roasters in Namibia, from Namibian coffee roasters, Shema 
coffee, Slowtown to Two Beards. Each of these coffee houses has its unique personality 
of coffee. While some are focused on community and specialty coffee, others have a 
strong craftmanship approach where origin-specific roasting styles are combined with 
technical precision.

Photo credits: Janke Murray

Like many things I often wonder who discovered coffee. The history is a bit of a delicious 
mystery. There is no official documentation to confirm the history or origin of where it all 
started, but according to the legend, there was a man named Kaldi, who was a goat 
herder. It is believed that he discovered the coffee beans. One day, while herding his 
goats, he noticed that when the goats ate of a specific berry, they would be filled with 
energy and could not sleep. Kaldi then reported this discovery to the abbot of a local 
monastery, who had difficulty staying awake during long hours of prayer. The abbot then 
made a drink of the berries and they could stay awake. From there on drinking coffee 
became a luxury and necessity in many households.

Whether the legend is true or not, I will leave it to your imagination! But the fact is that 
coffee became a huge business and was traded in the 15th and 16th centuries, gaining
popularity in Iran, Egypt, Syria and Turkey. Today, the smell of coffee is found almost 
around every corner and invites you to take a moment to relax. 

Namibian coffee has a unique two-bearded character of obedience and slow pace.
From Shema's spirit to Slowtown's rhythm, through the mastery of Two Beards and the 
charm of Namibian Coffee. The coffee houses in Namibia proves that great things come 
to those who don't rush the roast.

Author: Janke Murray