Nacho Grijuela and Samuel Swinburn
The enticing aroma of freshly roasted coffee floats in the air, firing your senses before you even step through the doorway into Meke Coffee. Anyone in Ibiza who describes themselves as someone who appreciates good coffee will have heard of Meke: the island’s first coffee roaster. Here, every cup of coffee takes your senses on a remarkable journey. Because Meke Coffee doesn’t just roast coffee; it is an all-embracing coffee company that celebrates traceability, sustainability, and the highest quality in every roasted bean. Ingredients, service, maintenance, training... Meke offers its clients a comprehensive service that guarantees they will enjoy the finest coffee on the island.
Originally from Auckland in New Zealand, Samuel Swinburn visited Ibiza and fell so deeply in love with the island’s beauty and spirit that he decided to make it his home. But he quickly realised that something was missing: a range of high quality coffee that matched his love for the drink. Driven by the lack of options, in 2012 Swinburn saw the perfect opportunity to bring his vision to life. In 2015, his passion for exceptional coffee found its counterpart in Nacho Grijuela, from Santander, who shared his enthusiasm and knowledge about coffee. Today, they run Meke Coffee together, a coffee roaster that is destined to transform Ibiza’s speciality coffee scene.
Meke primarily uses organic fair trade coffee beans grown by many of the best producers in the world and its coffee is completely artisan. Beans are roasted in micro-batches that are fine-tuned to produce different flavour profiles, or to suit the preferences of each client, so cafés, restaurants, and coffee enthusiasts at home can enjoy the precise type of coffee they love. What’s more, Meke is a pioneering speciality coffee brand in Spain, and is constantly improving to supply the finest coffee in the world to its clients across the country.
In 2019, Meke won the Best Specialist Coffee Roaster in Spain award from Aeropress España, also winning the Best Coffee Professional in Spain prize. Since then, the Ibizan roaster has supplied coffee to the national finals, positioning the brand on the national stage, a clear sign of things to come.
Commitment to sustainability and traceability
Meke Coffee goes far beyond the traditional definition of a coffee roaster. The company, based in the heart of Santa Eulalia, has evolved to become an overarching coffee business that is committed to achieving the maximum quality in its coffee, sustainability, and the traceability of every bean it sells.
The Meke philosophy is based on a deep respect for nature and coffee farming communities. Each coffee in its catalogue comes from ethical sources, and traceability and transparency are paramount. Beans are purchased directly from farmers who practice sustainable farming methods, or from intermediaries of the utmost confidence, guaranteeing superior quality coffee, the wellbeing of agricultural communities, and environmental conservation.
A comprehensive range: much more than coffee
As we mentioned above, Meke isn’t just a simple coffee supplier; it is a space where every aspect of the coffee-making process is carefully considered and celebrated. This includes everything from selecting the beans to the use of artisan roasting methods, training waiters and baristas, the supply and maintenance of equipment, and initial consultation services for clients who are planning to open their own café. The Meke philosophy focuses on offering its clients a comprehensive service to guarantee they can serve the best coffee on the island. The aroma of freshly ground coffee that greets you the moment you enter the shop demonstrates their commitment to excellence.
Meke’s impact on the local community and the coffee market has been significant. With plans to expand and to continue promoting responsible coffee practices, Meke is positioning itself as a leader in the sustainable coffee movement in Ibiza and beyond. It is an all-encompassing coffee company that prioritises quality, training, traceability, and sustainability. It offers a unique experience that thrills the senses while encouraging positive changes in the coffee industry. For local residents and visitors to Ibiza, Meke represents the promise of quality and awareness, living up to its Māori name: “something truly exceptional”.
