From Aotearoa to London: Showcasing Kiwi Coffee Innovation on the Global Stage

I (John Robson) recently had the privilege of travelling to the United Kingdom to represent New Zealand's growing influence in the world of specialty coffee. The journey was anchored around two major events: a networking session hosted by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and held at the New Zealand High Commission in London, and the legendary London Coffee Festival, one of the world’s most vibrant coffee showcases.

NZTE: Championing Kiwi Innovation Abroad

The trip began with a fantastic NZTE-hosted event at Kinnaird House, London, where I joined a group of Kiwi entrepreneurs, UK partners, and NZTE staff. It was a brilliant opportunity to highlight our mission of connecting home coffee roasters to the source—literally—through precision roasting technology. Attendees included representatives from Ozone Coffee, Allpress, Bustle and several other Kiwis located in London, along with New Zealand Trade Commissioners working with the UK, Europe and Africa.

There was an overwhelming sense of pride seeing how New Zealand companies are shaping the future of food and beverage innovation. The event generated strong interest in the idea that coffee lovers can roast freshly at home and trace the story behind every bean.

London Coffee Festival 2025: Making a Statement!

The London Coffee Festival, held at the Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, was everything it promised and more. Over 30,000 visitors passed through its buzzing floors—roasters, baristas, equipment geeks, traders, and coffee lovers from all over the world. Of all the coffee shows I’ve attended around the World, this event is absolutely unique and should be on everyone’s list to visit. 

With our UK distributor partners, Green Coffee Collective, we demonstrated live roasting, shared green coffee samples, and showed how easily users can roast world class coffee at the push of a button. 

We were inundated with customers curious about home roasting and how Kaffelogic Nano 7 is making this a reality for thousands of coffee enthusiasts around the world. Four days of live roasting demonstrations and customer interaction was incredibly rewarding and exhausting at the same time! 

The response was electric. Introducing the concept of home roasting to many for the first time, visitors loved the idea of having a smart, tech-based roaster no larger than a food blender that belongs in the kitchen. To most, this introduction has now opened their minds to taking coffee to a level they had not previously thought possible. People were particularly intrigued by the simplicity and precision of the Kaffelogic system. It was clear that a growing number of consumers and professionals are looking for ways to roast fresh coffee without compromising on quality or traceability, and Kaffelogic is the perfect solution. 

Key Takeaways

• The UK is ready for high-end, home roasting solutions—and they’re hungry for more sustainable, traceable options.

• New Zealand’s creative edge is well recognized. Kiwis are punching above their weight when it comes to food, beverage, and tech innovation.

• The London Coffee Festival is a unique event for understanding the pulse of global coffee culture. It’s not just a trade show—it’s a community celebration.

What’s Next

This UK trip reaffirmed our belief that we’re on the edge of a home roasting revolution—and we’re proud to lead it from New Zealand. A huge thank you to NZTE, everyone who stopped by the booth, and all the collaborators who made this journey possible.

We’re excited to continue building relationships around the world, and helping passionate coffee lovers everywhere take control of the roast.