Coffee Culture: FiXX Coffee founder Anne Abberton

Anne Abberton is a trailblazer in the Irish coffee industry, and an advocate for women in business. With a career spanning over 20 years, Anne was one of the first students at the London School of Coffee, and has participated in several prestigious programmes, including the EY Winning Women Global programme for 2023/24. FiXX Coffee was established by Anne in 2004, making it Ireland’s first female-owned coffee business.

Here, she shares her story so far…

What are your earliest memories of coffee?

Growing up we did not drink coffee, my parents were tea drinkers. I can recall a jar or two of Maxwell House instant coffee in our cupboard that made guest appearances on special occasions.

As a college student, I can remember drinking coffee served in styrofoam cups. Sadly the cup itself often left a stronger taste impression than the coffee it contained! It wasn’t until I moved overseas that I had my first real coffee moment. I was living in Lisbon and was served a beautifully made espresso at a local cafe. It was a eureka moment to discover just how good coffee could actually taste.

How would you describe your relationship with coffee ?

Multi dimensional. Coffee is something I enjoy drinking alone or in company. Going for a coffee with pals or family is always a fun thing to do. Coffee is my business, and it’s an industry that I am passionate about. I enjoy finding new coffees, tasting different coffees, and sharing those coffee finds with our customers. There is always something new and evolving in the world of coffee and that keeps me engaged.

I am concerned about the future of coffee. FiXX is a member of World Coffee Research, whose goal is to drive science-based agricultural solutions in order to secure a diverse and sustainable supply of quality coffee today and for generations to come. It is difficult to find solutions when you are just one company but if as an industry we collaborate then positive outcomes can be achieved.

What was the most unique coffee you have tasted ?

In 2017, I had the pleasure of visiting the Cerrado region of Brazil, home to Daterra coffee farm. For those of us in the coffee industry, Daterra is recognised and respected for leading the way in coffee innovation.

My visit coincided with the time of year when Daterra produces what they call their Masterpieces. Each coffee classified as a Daterra Masterpiece boasts a unique cup profile, offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience of coffee excellence; by combining unique and sometimes new varieties with pioneering drying and processing methods, Daterra creates coffees with flavour profiles that can never be replicated—a testament to the joys of natural products and the skill of experimentation. Following that visit, we were thrilled to import a limited edition of their Masterpieces to Ireland.

How did coffee become a part of your career ?

The short story…

I was working in the hotel industry in Dublin and part of my role was to look after the Embassies and Diplomatic business for the hotel group. I developed a friendship with the Cuban Ambassador who was keen to establish trade links with Ireland. During one of our chats we discussed the possibility of creating a Cuban coffee business. At the time I was ready for a change from the hotel business and so I took a leap of faith and the rest is history, as they say.

The Ambassador’s contacts helped with the sourcing of coffee in Cuba and ultimately securing the sole distribution of Cuban coffee in Ireland and the UK. I learned the ropes of the industry at the London Coffee School which had just opened up around the same time. The school continues to be my go to when needed.

What’s your go to coffee ?

I like to mix it up and don’t really have a go-to coffee choice. I look forward to that first coffee of the day, typically about 90 minutes after I wake up. If I am heading into the office then it’s a filter brewed black coffee, usually one of our monthly guest coffees, so it keeps changing. After a meal I enjoy a well made single espresso. When out and about in cafes I will always ask for the smallest cup size available and my request is either an americano or a flat white.

Why is coffee culture so important? What does going for coffee — sitting down with friends, mindfully taking time out — mean to you?

Coffee culture is not a new phenomenon and its importance in society is well documented. While the behaviours that surround the consumption of coffee may vary from country to country, at its core is the very basic human desire to connect. Coffee culture is about more than the drink itself; it’s about the connections and relationships that form around it.

For me, taking time to meet up with pals for a coffee is one of life’s simple pleasures. Coffee is a social lubricant and when you get together with friends for a coffee the outcomes can be amazing. Problems can be discussed, and solutions reached, brainstorming can result in great ideas, storytelling can lead to belly laughs and simply relaxing in good company with a coffee is medicine for the soul.

Where is your go-to grab and go cuppa when you are on the road ?

When I’m in Dublin city running errands, I will stop by The Bald Barista Cafe on Aungier Street. Buzz and his team are consistently extracting the best from the coffee so I know it will be an enjoyable cup.

If I’m outside of Dublin, I must admit I am biassed —I enjoy visiting our customers’ establishments whenever I can, but I also like to see what is happening with new openings.

Favourite restaurant in Ireland?

Oh my… that’s like asking which of your children is your favourite! Especially when so many of our customers are restaurants. I have countless memories of excellent meals enjoyed all over the country.

I have favourites for different occasions. For example, a great restaurant for lunch might offer a completely different experience in the evening. Then there’s the company I’m with—am I dining with food lovers, or are we just looking for a place to socialise and catch up? Are we in the mood for sharing plates and a glass of wine, or are we looking for a full-on feast?

And when I’m travelling and dining solo, my choices vary even more. With so many factors to consider, there are so many possible answers to this question. Therefore, I respectfully decline to name any, as the list would be far too long!

Best coffee in Ireland?

The best coffee in Ireland is the one that you enjoy—and that’s different for everyone. For some, it might mean brewing the coffee from your subscription delivery on a Saturday morning. For others, it may involve popping out to the local cafe. It’s all very subjective.

Many places are brewing great coffee with trained staff who care about what they’re serving, using clean, fit-for-purpose equipment, quality coffee beans, and providing excellent customer service.

Unfortunately, there are also many places that don’t meet these standards. Even if an outlet receives great coffee beans, that doesn’t guarantee they’ll serve great coffee. There are usually tell-tale signs you can spot on arrival that indicate whether you’re going to get a good coffee or not.

I always try to support our customers. We are proud of our customers who represent FiXX well. Outlets such as Kate’s Kitchen in Sligo, Espresso 44 in Galway, Sullivan’s Country Grocer in Oughterard, Harlem Cafe in Belfast, Garden Kitchen in Ardmore, Wildlands in Moycullen, Suntrap in Lisburn, Good Batch in Ballyjamesduff and so many more.

To remain neutral, let me suggest a cafe that we do not supply …Unfiltered Coffee is located in Dublin 8, close to our warehouse and it is worth a visit. The owner and staff are knowledgeable and you can expect a well made coffee. On occasion it can feel a bit more like a lab than a cafe but they are doing some really innovative stuff which deserves recognition.

What are your thoughts on the Irish coffee scene?

I am both amazed and grateful for the manner in which the industry has grown in the 20 years I’ve been in this business. However, I do think that this growth in coffee consumption has led many people to believe it’s easy to just add “coffee” to their business as another revenue stream and so we have coffee popping up in all sorts of different scenarios and not always done very well.

What makes me happy is the growing awareness that the Irish consumer now has around coffee. They have become more knowledgeable and are actively seeking out quality coffee as well as wanting to learn the skills involved in brewing coffee well.

What’s your favourite thing about the coffee business?

There are so many aspects of this industry that I enjoy:

• The diversity of communities we engage with to do our work, from the people who grow the coffee to the people who serve and drink our coffee.
• The simple joy of customers sharing their coffee experiences and stories with us. Or when I am out and about and notice people drinking and enjoying FiXX coffee.
• Getting to travel to taste amazing coffee in amazing places.
• The continuous opportunity to keep learning, the coffee industry is always evolving.

But if I have to choose just one then it would be that working with a natural consumable product means there is continuous engagement and repeat orders, allowing us to build meaningful relationships with both suppliers and customers. I could go on!

Secret ingredient – What in your estimation, makes the coffee shop experience?

For me the secret ingredient is consistency. For a coffee shop the coffee offering is crucial. A consistent quality offering is how to secure regular customers. Invest in quality ingredients and equipment. Ensure that your team is well trained in both coffee making and customer service. Sometimes something as simple as a smile can make someone’s day.