Coffee Journal

what's in my bag: a coffee salesman

by Stephen Bell, Co-Founder of Bell Lane Coffee Roasters     As a salesman on the road, your bag becomes more than just a carryall—it’s an extension of your day-to-day operations, a survival kit, and a reflection of the skills and habits you’ve honed over time. I’ve spent years travelling to meet customers (often far from the comforts of a desk or office). What I pack and how I pack has been refined into a system that keeps me prepared, productive, and, dare I say, a little over-organised.    Here’s a glimpse into my bag and my principles behind it…  the foundation: a reliable backpack My backpack is my constant companion. I’ve had it for five years, and while it’s starting to show its age, I can’t part with it until I find something equally functional. I’m a bit of a bag snob, favouring brands like Thule for their thoughtful design and quality.    Compartments are a non-negotiable for me. Everything—be it notebooks, toiletries, or cables—has its own dedicated space in smaller bags within my backpack. Organisation is key to staying efficient when you’re constantly on the move. the essentials: tools of the trade The core of my bag is filled with essentials that make my workday flow seamlessly: 1. diary & laptop: my organisational lifeline, helping me keep track of meetings, notes, and deadlines  2. pencil case: it might sound old-school, but a pencil case packed with highlighters, pens, and even a scale ruler always comes in handy. I'm a visual person, so colours in my diary help me see important notes from my scribbles 3. notebook: a compact book with family birthdays and important dates—because staying personal matters in work and life. coffee culture on-the-go As someone who works in the coffee industry, my bag wouldn’t be complete without a couple of coffee-related tools. You’ll find: 4. cupping spoons: perfect for sampling coffee with clients  5. weighing scales: because precision matters, even in the field  6. calling cards: as we're always on the look out for new opportunities, most of the time the correct person is not available to meet. That's why I have a batch of locally made postcards which I use to write a “sorry you're not around for a chat note" prepared for anything Years of being on the road have taught me to be ready for any scenario. That’s why my bag also includes: 7. swiss army knife & needle and thread: handy for unexpected fixes, from clothing to equipment  8. coins for meters: it’s a small thing, but it saves time and frustration when visiting areas with pay-and-display parking  9. water bottle: staying hydrated is essential, especially when you get to enjoy so much coffee (even though I struggle to fill it and drink it as often as I should) lessons from the road What’s in my bag isn’t just about practicality—it reflects the mindset of a salesman. Being prepared, organised, and thoughtful about the small details creates a smoother experience for both me and my clients. My kit evolves with my needs, but the essentials remain the same—tools to do my job well, leave a lasting impression, and stay connected to the people I meet.  At the heart of it, my bag is my secret weapon. It’s not just what’s inside—it’s how everything inside supports the work I love to do. 

brewstorm: winter 2024

brewstorm recap: celebrating coffee and community Coffee is much more than a drink – it’s an excuse to connect, converse, and get creative. That’s why we were excited to host our Brewstorm community event, a collaboration of Bell Lane’s own Niko and Paul with Arvind, Renata, and the rest of the Brew Lab team.    the purpose The event was born from a shared goal: to unite coffee lovers, enthusiasts, and professionals in a space where we could simply celebrate coffee. In a world of schedules, especially in the run up to Christmas, this event was a moment to pause and savour both coffee and the incredible community around it.   the event At the heart of the gathering was our coffee tasting competition, designed to test palates and explore the rich diversity of coffee. Guests were invited to sample five unique coffees and guess the origin, variety, and process of each. It was a fun (yet fierce) competition, with every sip drawing participants deeper into the complexities and nuances that make specialty coffee so captivating.   the prizes Of course, no competition is complete without some fantastic prizes. Our top three coffee tasters walked away with some tasty rewards: 🥇 1st Prize: Kristina claimed the coveted Commandante grinder and a Hoop with an impressive 8 correct answers. 🥈 2nd Prize: Maya, with 7 correct answers, took home an Aeropress and a Timemore grinder 🥉 3rd Prize: Amelia rounded out the top three with a 6-month subscription to Bell Lane Coffee, also with 7 correct answers Congratulations to our winners and everyone else for coming along and taking part!     the fun stuff While the competition provided plenty of excitement, the event wasn’t all coffee. Once the tasting was over, we tucked into some delicious pizzas and a selection of beers. It was the perfect way to unwind and keep conversation abuzz after the competition. The room was full of energy as people mingled, caught up, and shared ideas.    looking ahead The success of this event has left us motivated to continue creating events where the coffee industry can come together. We’re already planning the next gathering, with the goal of hosting these events every six months with the team in Brew Lab.     thank you We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who joined us, participated, and made the event a success. To Arvind, Renata, and the entire Brew Lab team—thank you for having us in and bringing this event to life. Here’s to many more coffee get-togethers. For now, storm brewed! 🌪️

Sustainable Farming in Focus: Gail’s Visit to Brazil’s Coffee Producers

At Bell Lane Coffee, we believe that exceptional coffee begins with strong relationships at its source. In this blog, we take you through Gail's journey to Brazil, where she connected with passionate farmers, witnessed sustainable practices firsthand, and experienced the heart of coffee production. Join us as we explore how these visits to origin deepen our commitment to quality, transparency, and the people behind every cup.

International Coffee Day - Taster Pack

Niko shares a brief overview of the Taster's Pack for International Coffee Day, featuring three exceptional coffees from Peru, Burundi, and Colombia. This collection offers a unique opportunity to explore diverse flavours from distinct origins. If you snagged a pack, you're among the first to try these future releases. Thank you for the incredible response, and we hope you enjoyed your International Coffee Day!

maybee - year three

As we kick off the third year of our MayBee campaign, we're buzzing with excitement and gratitude for the incredible journey we've shared with our community. What started as a small idea has blossomed into something truly impactful, all thanks to our amazing supporters. We're thrilled to continue our partnership with Fruit Hill Farm, a fantastic Irish company dedicated to organic farming and gardening. This year, every online order placed in May will include seed packets. By planting them, you're not just creating beautiful flower patches; you're also giving back to nature by inviting bees and other helpful insects into our surroundings. And here's some exciting news: we're expanding our reach by sharing the joy of planting with even more people. This year, we're sending seed packets to our wholesale partners, so when you buy a bag of Bell Lane Coffee from your local café, you can join in the campaign. It's about spreading the spirit of MayBee far and wide, enabling more individuals and communities to join us in supporting pollinators and nurturing our environment. We recognise that not everyone has the space to plant seeds themselves, which is why we're encouraging everyone to share seeds. Whether it's donating them to your child's school, sharing them at work, or passing them along as thoughtful gifts, every small action can have a significant impact. Planting these seeds is a simple yet powerful gesture of giving back. Scatter them in a well-prepared spot come springtime, gently rake them in, and firm them down. Before you know it, your little patch will burst into life, buzzing with activity and bursting with color. Thank you for being a vital part of the MayBee Campaign as we continue to give back, grow, connect, and spread positivity. We'd love to see photos of your blossoming seeds attracting pollinators. MayBee, let's create a buzz and make a real difference together.

Sonrisas "Smiles"

In the past, we have avoided talking about the important stuff – the good work we do behind the scenes. With our recent rebrand, we're committed to being open and honest, sharing our stories and embracing transparency.   Last summer, at World of Coffee, we met Maria Renée Morales, Manager of Volcafe Guatemala she is single-handedly responsible for the remarkable growth with La Morena Producers.  This was our second year of partnership with La Morena, a coffee produced exclusively by female farmers in Guatemala's Huehuetenango region. We wanted to make a tangible difference on the ground, so when we asked Maria how we contribute to the local community, her reply to us was simple, one word: "teeth." Dental care, particularly, poses a significant challenge for rural Guatemalan communities. Many individuals cannot afford dental visits, resulting in irregular check-ups. Annual dental visits are not the norm in Guatemala. The consequences of poor oral health extend to the point where individuals struggle to eat properly, leading to malnutrition, especially among children.    Enter "Sonrisas," meaning "smiles," a dental initiative that emerged from our conversation with Maria. We donated €5000; Volcafe UK & Ireland matched our contribution. Volcafe Guatemala also transformed a disused public bus into a mobile dental clinic which is now serving as a hygienic treatment centre. This innovative project focuses on families involved with La Morena women's coffee groups.        In 2023, over a four-week period, 3,800 coffee producers and their families received vital medical and dental care. Clinics were held in - Baja Verapaz, Amatitlan, Huehuetenango City, and La Democracia.      In essence, we're doing what feels right, asking how and where we can make a real difference. As we look ahead into 2024, the goal is to expand this project to more families, believing in the simple yet powerful idea that genuine change starts with kindness, one smile at a time.