Dark Woods Coffee

Overview

Dark Woods Coffee is an award-winning specialty coffee roaster founded in 2014 by three industry veterans. Based in a converted Victorian textile mill in the West Yorkshire Pennines, the company sources and roasts exceptional coffees from around the world, serving both wholesale customers (including high-end retailers like Fortnum & Mason) and direct consumers. The company is certified as a B Corporation and operates with a commitment to environmental and social sustainability.

History

Dark Woods Coffee was established in 2014 by Damian Blackburn, Paul Meikle-Janney, and Ian Agnew, three friends with extensive backgrounds in the coffee industry. Damian brought expertise as a senior roaster and coffee buyer with relationships forged through Cup of Excellence and Best of Panama competition judging. Paul co-wrote the City & Guilds Barista Qualifications and served as lead creator for the SCA Barista Qualification. The company achieved B Corporation certification in June 2020 and has positioned itself as a sustainability-focused specialty roaster.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Dark Woods roasts coffee in-house at its converted textile mill facility in Marsden, West Yorkshire. The company sources green beans directly from producers around the world, including Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Roasting occurs in a purpose-designed space where the roaster can hear, see, and smell the beans during the roasting process.

Notable Products

• Single-Origin Ethiopian Coffees - Specialty-grade Arabica coffees highlighting producer diversity and skill at origin
• Espresso Blend with Indian Robusta - Rich and full-bodied blend combining specialty Arabica with Harley Estate Indian Robusta for milk-based drinks
• Micro-lot Coffees - Rare and limited-quantity lots sourced through founder relationships with Cup of Excellence and Best of Panama networks

Reputation

Dark Woods is respected within the specialty coffee community for its commitment to quality sourcing and sustainable practices. The founders' credentials—particularly Damian's reputation as one of the country's most respected roasters and Paul's role in developing industry-standard barista qualifications—lend credibility to the operation. The company is recognized for balancing commercial success with genuine environmental and social responsibility, though as a smaller roaster it operates with less market visibility than larger specialty coffee brands. Customers range from local independent businesses to premium retailers, indicating consistent quality and reliability.