Why it matters: The custom-built unit will enable the social enterprise to increase its coffee production, generating more funding for veterans' outreach services across Suffolk.
The big picture: The roastery, which can process raw coffee beans at temperatures up to 200C, was unveiled at Combat2Coffee's headquarters on Wednesday at an event attended by dozens of guests from the coffee industry and third sector.
Key details:
The unit has been named after Lieutenant Peter Rous of the Scots Guards, who died during a military exercise in 2009.
His parents, former High Sheriff of Suffolk Robert Rous and Teresa Rous, attended the launch ceremony.
Operations Director Graziano Moroni hosted a coffee sensory session for guests.
What they're saying: "This isn't a portable coffee shop or an upscaled coffee machine you'd find in your kitchen – this is an amazing bit of kit that turns raw coffee beans into something incredible," said Nigel Seaman, founder of Combat2Coffee.
"The process includes roasting beans up to 200 degrees, creating the ideal temperature for the bold, rich flavours of coffee to develop through hundreds of chemical reactions over a matter of minutes."
Looking ahead: Combat2Coffee plans to use the portable roastery to forge new partnerships with organisations across Suffolk while expanding their veteran support services.
The bottom line: The launch marks a significant milestone for Combat2Coffee as the first UK coffee company to operate a portable roastery.
