Down on Gale Street in Durban is an old factory. Built in the 30’s, it has seen it’s fair share of sun and rain over the years, and although weathered, it is going strong. Much like the 87-year-old granny I saw yesterday revving her Toyota Tazz like one would a heavily laden 50cc Kawasaki up a steep hill. Although the shell may be mature, the heart is young, and at its centre are coffee and a team of people who are crazy about it.
Colombo Tea & Coffee Co.’s story began with one man, James Brown Richardson, or ‘Jas B’ as he is more fondly known, way back in 1917. Jas B who was just as passionate about coffee as the roasters and barista trainers there today, was first employed by Thornton Tea and Coffee. A number of events including his service in WWI, catching malaria in East Africa and traveling to South Africa resulted in Jas B opening his own shop in Joburg where he provided tea and coffee to the mines. It wasn’t long before he was forced to move as a result of the threat of strikers during the Rand rebellion. Durban became the place he would call home and further establish The Colombo Tea Agency with his son in 1923. Specialising in Tea, Coffee and Cocoa, the company became a favourite amongst locals and grew from strength to strength over the years and although the name has changed, the ideal has remained steadfast.
To never compromise on the value of fine Tea and Coffee and Cocoa, and to spread our love of Fine Beverages to all that we come into contact with.
Kyle Fraser, head roaster and blender, says what makes Colombo different is their love for change.
Our team is obsessed with cupping a new coffee as often as possible and we love to engineer seasonal espresso blends through deep involvement in roasting individual origins to the perfect profile.
Their coffee is drum roasted on the lighter side and includes a range of single origins and blends. Try the single origin Ethiopia Yirgacheffe or highly popular ‘Aggressive Chocolate’, which is an espresso blend comprised of beans from Brazil, Colombia and Ethiopia.
Colombo deals directly from the factory and their beans can be found in a number of coffee shops in Durban. Although they do not have a coffee shop of their own, plans are in the pipeline to build an Espresso Bar. Until then you can contact the team, pop into the factory or book a space at one of their fortnightly tastings.
369 Gale Street, Durban
031 205 3283
info@colombo.co.za
www.colombo.co.za
http://www.colombofinebeverageco.blogspot.com
Photos courtesy of Kristy Carlson & Colombo Fine beverage Co.
Love this vibe-gotta visit them when next in Durban.
Great place – have a cup of coffee while soaking up some serious vintage industrial vibes
The history is great 
Thank you for the mention guys! Love this site!
Andrew, you must come by soon to get a good “before and after” picture… Cuth, come back sooon!
Love the right up. Colombo guys are doing a great job to push Durban coffee culture.
this is awesome!
love it!!!
hothothot!
looks like a factory on a coffee farm in the middle of the berg. love it!!
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Pressure north from Durban central. You’ll notice the landscape getting greener as you power – about 10km up the coast opposition to Umhlanga Rocks the Sugar Coast begins. The sugar coast again to the component of coast around seashore cities of Umhlanga and Umdloti may be appreciated vacationers and holidaymakers.
The O’Conner Promenade, which is a brilliant place for a beach-entrance jog or leisurely stroll, leads directly to the lovely Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve Nature Trail – a one and a part hour ramble thru coastal woodland, the place may also a lot of birds, some vervet monkeys, or even the ordinary antelope. Different nearby nature destinations come with the Hawaan Woodland and Umhlanga Ponds, may be a magnet for water-hen, and therefore additionally a magnet for keen birders.
These guys are awesome and true coffee kids! They’re super funny, fun, friendly and actually care about coffee as much (if not more) than they say. Definitely a must to got to if in or visiting Durbs…especially if you love awesome espresso machines. They have a beautiful lever machine…old school. nice
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