Two Chimps Coffee Review 2026 - Honest UK Specialty Roaster Verdict
Coffee & Wellness Writer
A Rutland micro-roastery with personality. The freshness guarantee is genuine - they roast to order.
Table of Contents
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The Brand
Location: Oakham, Rutland | Founded: 2016
Two Chimps Coffee was founded in 2016 by Andy and Laura in Oakham, Rutland. The roastery started small and has stayed deliberately so, hand-roasting speciality-grade single origin beans in 12kg batches multiple times per week.
The sourcing model is direct trade. Two Chimps pays between 30% and 150% above the market rate for green coffee, working directly with farmers to shorten the supply chain and ensure a fair return at origin. This is not Fairtrade certification (which sets a minimum floor price) but a direct relationship model that often exceeds Fairtrade premiums.
Sustainability runs through the operation. Two Chimps is carbon neutral, repurposes coffee chaff as chicken bedding, and plants a tree with every order to offset delivery emissions. The packaging is recyclable, and the roastery itself operates with a clear environmental focus.
The Rutland location is part of the identity. Two Chimps is open to visitors during the week, and the local connection gives the brand a community feel that is difficult to manufacture from a warehouse unit in Zone 3.
The Coffee
Every Two Chimps coffee is single origin, speciality-grade Arabica, roasted in small batches for freshness. The range rotates with the seasons, but typically covers origins across Central America, South America, and East Africa. All coffees are available in 250g bags, whole bean or ground, at an RRP of £9.95.
The naming convention is playful - each coffee gets a quirky name rather than a straightforward origin label. It adds personality, though it can make it harder to compare coffees at a glance.
Medium Roast Offerings
Caramel and milk chocolate on the nose, a smooth, medium body with brown sugar sweetness, and a clean finish with no bitterness. The roasting is restrained and precise, letting the origin speak without imposing a heavy roast character. This is speciality coffee that does not require a science degree to enjoy.
Lighter, Fruitier Options
Citrus and red berry on the nose, a lighter body with a bright acidity that lifts the cup, and a finish that is crisp and dry. These lighter roasts show that Two Chimps can handle both ends of the spectrum without losing control.
Darker Offerings
Dark chocolate and toasted walnut on the nose, a heavier body with caramelised sugar through the mid-palate, and a longer finish with mild smokiness. Not over-roasted. Not bitter. Just a shade darker for those who prefer it.
The subscription service allows you to choose your coffee, grind size, quantity, and delivery frequency. Free first-class tracked delivery is included on orders over £25. At £9.95 per 250g (roughly £3.98 per 100g), Two Chimps sits in the competitive speciality-grade tier without overcharging.
For those exploring the best coffee roasters uk, Two Chimps is a Midlands standout that deserves attention beyond its postcode.
Who It Is For
Two Chimps is for the home brewer who values freshness and ethical sourcing but does not want to navigate the overwhelming world of big-city speciality roasters. If you prefer a roaster that is transparent about its supply chain, roasts in small batches for genuine freshness, and delivers directly to your door, Two Chimps fits that brief. It is also a strong pick for anyone in the Midlands who wants to support a local roaster.
For buyers searching for the best healthy coffee beans uk, the direct trade model and small-batch freshness make Two Chimps a credible option.
| Evaluation Criteria | Our Findings |
|---|---|
| Full Review | See our Best Coffee Beans UK guide |
| Best For | Freshness-focused home brewers who value direct trade ethics |
| Flagship Product | Rotating Single Origin (250g) |
| Shop | Shop Two Chimps Coffee → |
Final Thoughts
Two Chimps Coffee proves that you do not need a London postcode to produce excellent speciality coffee. The direct trade sourcing is genuine, the small-batch roasting delivers on freshness, and the carbon-neutral commitment shows that sustainability can be baked into a small operation without turning it into a marketing exercise.
The rotating range means you will not always find the same coffee twice, which suits the explorer but may frustrate the creature of habit. The playful naming convention is either charming or mildly annoying depending on your temperament.
What matters is what is in the cup. And what is in the cup is consistently well-sourced, carefully roasted, and delivered fresh. At £9.95 per 250g, it is fair value for speciality-grade single origin coffee from a roaster that pays its farmers properly.
Part of our guide to the best coffee roasters UK.
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