Rwanda Cyesha Washed

Dario Scilipoti founded Bluebird in 2017 in Howick, a small town in KwaZulu Natal, and moved into a purpose built facility in 2022 that now houses a roastery, cafe, training center, quality control lab, and offices. The operation won Roastery of the Year at the 2021 Coffee Magazine Awards and has continued collecting recognition since, including Best Coffee Packaging and Best Alternative Brewing Experience in 2024. All green coffee selected and imported by Bluebird is exclusive to them in South Africa. Two new carefully selected specialty coffees are released each month, roasted by Fanie Botes, with Luhle Mnyandu heading training and wholesale. Their podcast, Coffee Made Me Do It, was nominated for Podcast of the Year at the 2024 Sprudge Coffee Awards. Bluebird ships within South Africa and internationally, including to Czechia, guided by a stated hierarchy: people, environment, quality, then profit.