Sombra

Sombra represents our agroforestry initiative, established by our pioneering farmer Mió and funded every time you drink this delicious coffee. By cultivating a vibrant forest ecosystem around water sources, our shade-grown coffee not only thrives but also fosters a haven for birdlife.

Get ready for a delicious coffee with hints of hazelnut, dark chocolate and touches of plum.  When combined with milk, this coffee develops a velvety toffee taste, making it an ideal choice for starting your day on a high note or savouring throughout the day.

How do I brew this coffee? Explore our brew guides to find the right method for you. 

We removed seals on our bags to reduce plastic in our packaging, to keep your coffee as fresh as possible you can use our convenient coffee clips or our stylish coffee tins. 

The Sombra Project

Sombra (meaning ‘shade’ in Portuguese) is a five-year agroforestry project and the combined effort of three parties in Brazil:

• Professor Lucas Louzada – Universtity of Espirito Santos (Research)
• Fazenda MIO (private)
• Volcano Coffee Works (market)

This is how the project breaks down over time:

Stage One/Year One

1. Reforest all land which surrounds the natural water sources such as creeks, rivers, natural reservoirs, rivers etc. This is critical in order to establish and protect clean water systems

2. Plant all non-coffee trees on a systematic grid laid out by species, with proximity enough to allow for mechanised picking and drone application of fertilizer and allowing to achieve canopy stratification

Stage Two/Year Two

1. Plant all coffee trees once 12-month growth on canopy trees is achieved

2. Reforest all remaining land that surrounds coffee plants to complete a contiguous forest system

Stage Three/Year Three

1. Harvest and cultivation + full research phase. This is where
the real research sets in regarding how to

a. Manage and scale harvest within the system

b. Analyse relationships between coffee and trees species and roots systems to further develop quality and yield protocols

c. Full sensory analysis over all variants of coffee species and tree species interaction

Stage 4/Year 4

Complete and publish data sets and create a farming template with commercial models to accredit the project as a legitimately recognised carbon-negative practice

Stage 5/Year 5

Implement Sombra methodology across the entirety of the remaining land. 

Learn more about the project here.

Espresso machine: highlights sweetness and body

Cafetiere: for a full, rich cup

Pair it with: Sweet apple dessert

See all brew guides

• Drink flat whites / cappuccinos
• Like full bodied chocolatey and fruity flavours

200g makes about 12 cups.

500g makes about 30 cups.

1kg makes about 60 cups.

2kg makes about 120 cups.

If you're new to us, a 200g bag is a good way to try a coffee first.

Whole bean: grind it fresh yourself, just before you brew.

Medium grind: cafetière, filter, V60, AeroPress, moka pot, and low-pressure machines like SMEG, Dualit and the smaller Sage machines.

Fine grind: espresso machines.

Having trouble with your grind? Get in touch.

Your coffee will usually have been roasted within 10 days of reaching you. It tastes best within 5 weeks of roasting, though it can still taste great after that.

All our coffees work with any brew method. Our brew guides will help you find the right one for you.

Want more help? Book a home barista course and learn to brew like a pro.

Delivery is £3.65 under £25, £2.75 under £45, and free over £45 or on any subscription.

We send orders by Royal Mail 48hr or DPD, and you choose at checkout. Orders go out the next working day, or the same day for DPD Tracked orders placed before 12pm. Subscription orders go by Royal Mail 48hr. More about delivery

If you don't love the taste, our Taste Guarantee means we'll replace it with a coffee of your choice or refund you.

If something is missing, wrong or damaged, email orders@volcanocoffeeworks.com or call 020 3876 0876. We reply to emails within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. Coffee is perishable, so we can't take returns once it's been sent.