Illegal Beans roastery came about somewhat unexpectedly – and perhaps that is why it grew so quickly. The story began at CzechCrunch's Startup Academy, where lawyer Jana Sedláková met Ondřej Starý and Ondřej Volák, who were participating in the program at the time. During conversations about business and life, they discovered that they all shared a passion for coffee. This shared interest led them to the question of what people actually consider to be "their cup of coffee." Shortly thereafter, they went out for a drink, where the half-serious idea of starting their own roastery was born. A day later, they were founding a limited liability company, and four weeks later, they were standing over their first batch of coffee.
Illegal Beans is based in the Jeseníky Mountains, in a former butcher's shop in Ruda nad Moravou, which, thanks to its original use, met strict hygiene standards and provided the ideal environment for roasting. From the beginning, they spared no expense on technology, purchasing a roaster with an external cooling system that allows them to stop the process at exactly the right moment to preserve the delicate fruity notes. They source their beans directly from farmers through their partner The Coffee Quest and emphasize fair conditions, transparent origin, and sustainability. Their selection includes single-origin coffees from Ethiopia, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as their own blends, such as Deskpresso, designed for offices.
Illegal Beans roasts in the Nordic style – a lighter roast that brings out the natural fruitiness of the beans. After roasting, they let the coffee rest and then package it on site, from where it goes to cafés, companies, and directly to home customers. Although the roastery was only recently established, it has quickly made a name for itself thanks to its combination of quality, honesty, and playful visual style. The three founders combine their experience from other projects (such as the lemonade brand NěcoJako and the distillery Garage22) and prove that coffee can be more than just a drink – it is a story of people, places, and flavors.
