The story of Nomad Coffee: from London to Barcelona

The story of Nomad Coffee begins in London in 2011 , when Jordi Mestre , after working for two years in some of the city's best coffee shops, decided to put everything he had learned into practice by creating his own coffee cart . Thus, Nomad was born: a mobile, personal project deeply connected to the culture of specialty coffee.

As a nomadic barista, Jordi served coffee in some of London's most iconic markets, laying the foundation for a brand that, from the beginning, understood coffee as an experience, quality, and movement. That exploratory spirit lives on today at Nomad Coffee, even after it has become one of Europe's most renowned roasters.

Nomad Coffee and the competition: Jordi Mestre's initial push

In 2012 , after a year working with a coffee cart in London, Jordi Mestre entered the National Barista Championship in Madrid and won first place in the final. A month later, guided by his mentor Rob Dune , he achieved 15th place in the World Barista Championship in Vienna .

This achievement opened the door to his first job as a roaster at Nude Coffee Roasters ' micro-roastery, an experience that would prove crucial for the subsequent development of Nomad Coffee. In 2013 , Jordi won the national championship again in Spain and once more represented the country at the world championship in Melbourne.

This entire competitive journey shaped Nomad's philosophy: a project built on technical knowledge, cup excellence, and the ambition to raise the standard of specialty coffee in Spain.

Barcelona, ​​2014: the birth of the Coffee Lab and the boost to specialty coffee

In 2014 , Nomad Coffee established itself in Barcelona with the opening of NOMAD COFFEE LAB , a space where coffee takes center stage. This establishment was instrumental in propelling the specialty coffee movement in Barcelona and introducing a new way of understanding coffee to consumers, professionals, and the simply curious.

That same year, Fran González joined the company, initially as a barista. He learned to roast coffee from Jordi and eventually became a partner and Head of Coffee at Nomad. This internal evolution reflects an important part of the brand's DNA: developing talent in-house and building a strong and lasting coffee culture.

Also during this stage, the first edition of Nomad's bottled cold brew was launched, anticipating an innovative capacity that would later become one of its hallmarks.

Roaster's Home, training and expansion wholesale

In 2015 , with the growth of the specialty coffee market in the city, Nomad acquired its first wholesale clients. This marked the beginning of a new phase: not only supplying coffee, but also sharing expertise through consulting, courses, and training .

To respond to this evolution, they opened ROASTER'S HOME in Poblenou, their first roasting location. This space became much more than a roastery: it also functioned as a meeting point open to the public, with tastings , courses, and educational experiences for anyone who wanted to learn about specialty coffee .

This combination of roasting, training, and hospitality helped to consolidate Nomad Coffee as a key player within the Spanish coffee culture and as a brand capable of building community around coffee.

Trips to the source and commitment to producers

In 2016 , with the business already established, Nomad began its first trips to coffee origins with Falcon Coffee and Richard Williams , one of Jordi's early mentors. These trips to countries like Costa Rica and Rwanda reinforced the importance of supporting the producer and understanding in depth what happens before the coffee reaches the roaster.

Since then, Nomad's approach has been to be present throughout the entire process: getting to know producers, understanding the value of responsible importers, working with high-quality coffees, and developing relationships that allow for a stronger, more transparent, and sustainable supply chain.

This work at the source is an essential part of the value that Nomad brings to the specialty coffee market : it's not just about roasting well, but about respecting the process from farm to cup.

Roasting, quality and our own standards

If there's one thing that defines Nomad Coffee , it's their focus on coffee roasting . The brand has built its reputation on meticulous technical work, internal quality standards, and a constant pursuit of bringing out the best qualities of every batch.

In 2017 , the addition of a refurbished and upgraded German Probat UG22 roaster, equipped with new roasting, gas, airflow, and flame control systems, allowed the company to increase production without compromising its high standards. Later, with the opening of Cal Nomad and the addition of a second roaster, Nomad further expanded its capacity to serve both B2B customers and end consumers.

The result is a brand recognized for offering specialty coffees roasted in-house , with well-developed profiles, maximum consistency and a very clear identity in both espresso and filter.

Nomad Every Day, Cold Brew and new ways to enjoy coffee

In 2016 , Nomad opened NOMAD EVERY DAY in the heart of the Raval neighborhood, a space where the brand could experiment even further with coffee. In addition to serving high-quality espressos, they introduced signature drinks and creations paired with food and ice cream, such as the affogato.

Cold brew also became a very important part of the project. First in bottles, then in different formats, and finally, in 2022 , with the launch of their first cold brew can, Splash! This development demonstrates how Nomad has been able to innovate without losing its focus on the product and quality.

Although Every Day closed in 2022 to focus energies on Cal Nomad and the B2B business, its role was key in expanding the brand's audience and bringing specialty coffee closer to local consumers and tourists.

Cal Nomad: more production, training and a vision for the future

Starting in 2020 , Cal Nomad became the project's new headquarters. This space was created with ambition: to house increased production, offices, a warehouse, tasting rooms, events, professional development courses, and training for wholesale clients.

The opening of Cal Nomad marks a new stage for the company, one that is more structured, more mature, and better prepared for national and international growth. It's not just about producing more coffee, but about doing so with improved processes, greater professionalism, and a long-term vision.

In parallel, Nomad continues to invest in structure and team, incorporating profiles such as account managers , area manager , CFO , Head of Sales , Roastery Manager and other key roles to continue scaling solidly.

Transparency Report, Sustainability and B Corp Certification

In 2021 , Nomad released its first Transparency Report , showcasing the work behind its menu and demonstrating the company's respect for producers and its supply chain. This report also raises key questions about how to make the coffee sector more sustainable.

In 2023 , Nomad Coffee became a Certified B Corp , a distinction that recognizes its commitment to generating a positive impact on its employees, communities, customers, and the environment. This certification reinforces its position as one of the most solid and dedicated specialty coffee projects in Spain .

For consumers who value transparency, responsible governance and an ethical approach to business, Nomad represents one of the most comprehensive offerings on the market.

The Coffee Academy and the promotion of specialty coffee

Another key pillar of Nomad Coffee is education. In 2022 , they launched The Coffee Academy , a training project led by Ivette Vera , a key member of the team and current director of the academy.

The philosophy behind this initiative is clear: to build a solid relationship with consumers and professionals, it's essential that they understand what is done and how it's done. Through its academy, Nomad offers workshops and training for all levels, from those who want to become professional baristas to those who want to improve the coffee they make at home.

This commitment to education has been key to the growth of specialty coffee in Spain and fits with a brand vision that not only sells coffee, but also creates a culture around it.

International expansion: Europe, Korea, the United States and more

Since 2018 , Nomad has begun to expand more significantly beyond the domestic market. Its coffees are now available in cafes in Europe , the United States , China , Korea , and Canada , among other markets.

The brand is also resuming its presence at international fairs and events, such as World of Coffee in Milan , and participating in collaborations, pop-ups, and partnerships with key players in the sector. In 2023 , Nomad returns to Korea with the launch of NOMAD Coffee Korea . That same year, it also strengthens its presence in Los Angeles through a pop-up shop in partnership with Play Coffee .

This international projection confirms Nomad as a Spanish brand with global impact and one of the most visible roasters of European specialty coffee.

Soluble: Spain's first instant specialty coffee

In 2023 , Nomad launched Spain's first instant specialty coffee . The goal was clear: to offer a quick and convenient way to enjoy delicious coffee, but radically raising the standard of what has traditionally been known as instant coffee.

For this, they chose a high-quality coffee: Chambakú , grown in Caldas, Colombia , at an altitude of 1,450 to 1,600 meters , by Juan Felipe Restrepo , one of the brand's flagship producers. This product is available in both caffeinated and decaffeinated versions.

With this proposal, Nomad once again demonstrates that innovation is not at odds with quality and that even everyday formats can be reinvented from the logic of specialty coffee .

Nomad Coffee's coffees: house, rare, competition and more

One of Nomad Coffee 's greatest strengths is the breadth and segmentation of its offerings. The brand works with different categories that allow consumers to choose according to their experience level, brewing method, or interest in discovering more exclusive profiles.

Among their offerings are the house coffees , ideal for daily consumption and for those seeking a consistent and well-crafted cup; the rare selections, focused on more unique and special lots; and also competition coffees or particularly exclusive editions, aimed at advanced consumers passionate about exploring the pinnacle of specialty coffee.

This approach makes Nomad especially interesting for those who want to delve deeper into the origins of coffee , coffee varieties , different processes , and the differences between more everyday profiles and lots of maximum exclusivity.

Coffee varieties, origin and lot selection

Throughout its history, Nomad has consistently demonstrated a commitment to working with carefully selected single-origin coffees, paying particular attention to the relationship between producer, importer, roasting, and extraction. This holistic approach allows each lot to express itself clearly and enables consumers to better appreciate the unique qualities of each coffee.

In the world of Nomad Coffee , country of origin , altitude, producer, processing method, and coffee varieties are not secondary details, but fundamental elements for crafting a cup with identity. This is why Nomad has established itself as a benchmark brand for those who wish to learn about and explore coffee from a deeper perspective.

Why does Nomad Coffee stand out at BrewFusion?

At BrewFusion , we work with roasters who bring real value to the world of specialty coffee , and Nomad Coffee is one of those essential names. Its history, consistency, capacity for innovation, educational role, and commitment to quality make it a key brand for any specialty coffee lover.

Nomad has not only helped to boost specialty coffee in Barcelona and Spain, but has also managed to build an internationally recognized offering without losing sight of the producer, the roasting process, and the final cup experience.

For those looking to buy specialty coffee online , discover leading roasters, and explore profiles ranging from the most accessible to the most exclusive, Nomad Coffee at BrewFusion is a natural choice.

Buy Nomad Coffee at BrewFusion

If you want to discover one of the most important brands of Spanish specialty coffee , at BrewFusion you can explore the Nomad Coffee selection and access coffees with identity, roasting precision and a history that has marked the development of the sector.

From house coffees to rare selections and competition coffees, Nomad offers an exceptional gateway to the world of specialty coffee , connecting origin, technique, innovation and coffee culture in one brand.