About Bluebird Coffee Roastery
Bluebird Coffee Roastery is a South African specialty coffee roastery based in the picturesque town of Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Since its founding, it has gained international recognition for its focus on quality, transparency, and close relationships with farmers. Its coffee is available not only in South Africa but also in Europe, including the Czech Republic.
The driving force behind Bluebird Coffee Roastery is Dario Scilipoti, who in 2017 transformed his passion for specialty coffee into an ambitious project aimed at elevating the South African coffee scene to a global level. In 2022, the roastery moved to a newly built space in Howick, which includes the roastery, café, training center, and quality lab. The team is made up of enthusiasts such as Fanie Botes (roaster and competition barista), Luhle Mnyandu (head of training and wholesale), Claudia Scilipoti (café manager), and Katie Burnett (digital media and photography).
Bluebird focuses exclusively on specialty coffee, sourcing directly from farmers with an emphasis on transparency and long-term relationships. Every month they release two new coffees, often from exceptional varieties such as Geisha or Pink Bourbon. Roasting is precise and aimed at highlighting the unique flavor profiles of each coffee. The team also actively educates the community through training and their podcast “Coffee Made Me Do It.”
Bluebird Coffee Roastery has received numerous awards, including “Roastery of the Year 2021” and “Best Coffee Packaging 2024” at the Coffee Magazine Awards. In 2024, they also received the award for “Best Alternative Brewing Experience.”