The idea behind Pirate Cat Kombucha was conceived in Australia, but given life here in Haarlem. Although most people are familiar with the hot brews that can be made from the seed (or “bean”) of the coffee cherry, few people know how much further specialty coffee can go thanks to the delicious brews made possible by the other parts of the coffee plant. Beginning with experiments to push the quality boundaries of cold brew coffee, and then cascara (the dried husk of the coffee cherry), kombucha was the natural and inevitable evolution.
Tradition plays an important role in kombucha brewing, but it is through the development of processes grounded in the scientific method, coupled with quality ingredients that Pirate Cat brews have established their reputation. Pirate Cat Kombucha brews have the shortest ingredient list possible so as to focus entirely on the qualities brought to each by the particular part of the coffee plant that it showcases. Unlike mass-market supermarket kombucha brands, that use mid-range teas, or pre-fermented bases, that are artificially sweetened or require secondary flavours to be added, Pirate Cat Kombucha brews strive for balance and natural flavour – nothing else is added, because nothing else is needed.
Sustainability and social justice are also an important part of the Pirate Cat mission. Most people only ever engage with coffee through the “bean”, not realising that cheap commodity coffee is only possible by seriously exploiting producers in some terrible ways. Specialty coffee is an attempt to redress this build transparency, equity, and justice into the full coffee supply chain. Pirate Cat’s earliest brews used cascara, the dried and commonly discarded husk of the coffee cherry. Disposal of cascara at origin can be very problematic, but it is very useful and super tasty in its own right, so using it the way Pirate Cat does adds more value for coffee producers and helps the environment. Coffee leaf can also be a waste product from maintaining coffee plants, but can be processed just the way tea leaves are, to produce some unique flavours from a part of the coffee plant most people never think about. The coffee flower is also quite special, and the nature of the coffee plant means it can be harvested after fertilisation of the plant and with no negative impact on coffee production or plant health. Coffee is so much more than just the “bean” and Pirate Cat is on a mission to be part of bringing those experiences to more people in a tasty and sustainable way.
Pirate Cat Kombucha also brews more than just kombucha! In addition to kombucha brewed from the seed, leaf, flower, and cherry of the coffee plant, Pirate Cat produces a premium cold brew coffee, ginger infusion, chai concentrate, and tonic water. Each product utilises some part of the coffee plant to enhance the unique flavour profile and add character you won’t find elsewhere.
And the cat? Yes, she was real, and only had one eye! She was spicy and stubborn, and utterly adorable, and her attitude and character were a great analog for the Pirate Cat brand that she inspired. Her photo remains one of the pinned images on the Pirate Cat instagram page.
Pirate Cat Kombucha is currently being served in Haarlem at Coffee Habits, Native Haarlem, Kohi koffiebar, JULES, Nes71, and Mama Mojo, and in Amsterdam at White Label Coffee (West and Noord).
Contact us via Instagram for wholesale pricing or find us at markets in Haarlem every month! From March through to November, you can find Pirate Cat at the Kweektuin Biomarkt in Haarlem-Noord, as well as other markets by Love for the Locals throughout the year.
Brewed in Haarlem.
