| Growth | Strategically expanded and acquired coffee plantations to become one of the largest coffee companies in the world |
| Founded | 1950s |
| Industry | Specialty coffee |
| Products | Premium, artisanal coffee |
| Innovations | Pioneered marketing of coffee as a premium product • Introduced innovative roasting and brewing techniques |
| Company name | Kokinfee Coffee |
| Headquarters | New Rotterdam, New Netherland |
| Key features | Distinctive dark roasts • Socially conscious business practices • Commitment to sustainability |
| Market position | Dominant |
Kokinfee Coffee is a multinational coffee company headquartered in New Rotterdam, New Netherland. Founded in 1952, Kokinfee has grown to become one of the largest and most influential coffee producers and retailers worldwide, known for its distinctive dark roasts, innovative product lines, and socially conscious business model.
Kokinfee was established in 1952 by Dirk Kokkeler, a former trader and entrepreneur from the Dutch East Indies. Kokkeler had long been fascinated by the unique flavor profiles of coffee beans grown in the Dutch colonial territories and saw an opportunity to elevate coffee into a premium, artisanal product.
Starting with a small roastery in New Rotterdam, Kokinfee focused on sourcing the finest Arabica beans from plantations across the Dutch East Indies, Suriname, Curaçao, and other Dutch colonial holdings. Kokkeler experimented with novel roasting techniques to develop bold, complex flavor profiles that challenged the mass-produced, light roasts that dominated the coffee market at the time.
Kokinfee's early marketing campaigns emphasized the exotic origins, meticulous craftsmanship, and superior quality of its coffee - positioning it as a luxury good rather than a simple commodity. This helped the brand cultivate a loyal following among discerning urban consumers in New Netherland and beyond.
Fueled by the rising popularity of specialty coffee in the 1960s and 1970s, Kokinfee rapidly expanded its operations. The company opened its first cafés in major cities across New Netherland, introducing customers to innovative brewing methods like the Chemex and Aeropress.
In the 1980s, Kokinfee began acquiring coffee plantations in its colonial territories, allowing it to directly control the entire supply chain from bean to cup. This vertical integration, combined with continued investments in research and development, enabled Kokinfee to pioneer new roasting profiles, flavor innovations, and sustainable growing practices.
By the turn of the century, Kokinfee had become one of the largest coffee companies in the world, rivaling traditional industry giants. It expanded into markets across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, introducing its distinctive dark roasts and premium retail experience to coffee drinkers globally.
Kokinfee is widely recognized as an industry leader in product innovation, roasting technology, and sustainability initiatives. The company was an early adopter of fair trade practices, ensuring fair wages and humane working conditions for farmers and workers in its supply chain.
Other pioneering efforts include:
Today, Kokinfee continues to push the boundaries of what coffee can be - from limited-edition, small-batch roasts to experimental flavor profiles that blend coffee with botanicals, spices, and other ingredients. The company's commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation has solidified its status as a leader in the global specialty coffee market.
