Drinkin' Local with Roasted Coffee

Coffee.

Just hearing the word is enough to make you plan for your next cup. You're doing that, aren't you?

When I first met Omar Khartabil on LinkedIn, then through a Zoom call, it was pretty obvious this is a man who loves the world of coffee. Not in the casual sense like so many of us. Omar LOVES the coffee world! And we're all luckier for it!

Originally from Palestine and raised in Dubai, Omar came to Nova Scotia over 15 years ago. He brought with him a young family, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an eagerness to blend his Middle Eastern roots with the culture of his new home in Halifax.

For many years, Omar owned and operated Choco Café on Lower Water Street in Halifax. And after the coffee and chocolate focused café closed in 2015, Omar didn't lose the desire to bring coffee into the lives of his neighbours and friends in Nova Scotia.

Then, in May 2021, came Roasted Coffee .

Through Roasted, Omar is bringing Turkish and Arabic coffee to the East Coast of Canada (and beyond - thanks, eCommerce!). I was super curious when Omar first announced the company, and it has been fun to watch him grow from one-off orders for contacts to his recent partnership with The Ampersand Café inside the Halifax Central Library, where I had my first delicious taste of this unique coffee.

(Speaking of first taste, you should go ahead and order yours using our 25% off code - SOMEGOOD25)!

The method of preparation is one of the most noticeable differences from the traditional brewing methods used in Atlantic Canada. And to help with that, Omar even offers an online tutorial to learn how to make your best cup of Roasted Coffee (free tutorial with the purchase of two bags of coffee!)

I was going to try and dive deep into Turkish and Arabic coffee, but then I realized that it's Omar who you should be talking to. His passion for this coffee is what everyone should hear firsthand. So reach out to Omar to talk coffee!

Like for me growing up here in Nova Scotia, Omar also grew up with coffee as a backbone to family occasions. He grew up smelling it throughout his house, seeing it everywhere in the community, and recognized its importance to friends, family and neighbours both on a daily basis or during Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and other important occasions. Coffee is so much more than just a warm beverage. If you're like me and Omar, coffee has played a major part in our lives.

The product lineup through Roasted Coffee is a nice selection of sampler packs, larger 250 gram bags, and combo packs to give you a bit of everything. One of my favourite new facts thanks to following along with Omar's journey is that some Middle Eastern coffees are made with cardamom. I'd highly recommend getting the same type of coffee but with one bag of regular and one bag blended with cardamom. Who doesn't love a taste test??

For anyone watching Nova Scotia's food scene, you'll know the coffee options just keep getting better every year. To have someone like Omar ensuring this growing coffee community is reflective of the growing diversity of our communities is so important.

If you want to make sure you're living the Buy Local lifestyle and support an entrepreneur like Omar, you can add a new type of coffee to your roster with our SOMEGOOD25 promo code.

And be sure to follow Roasted Coffee on LinkedIn , Facebook and Instagram .