Adalheidur Hedinsdottir, Owner and CEO of Kaffitár. Lives in Garðabær, Iceland

Kaffitár is probably the leading company in Iceland regarding specialty coffee. The company, which was founded in 1990 by Hedinsdottir, operates 8 coffee shops (5 of them in Reykjavik) and it’s own roastery. Kaffitár is a strong promoter of direct and fair trade, as a result the company buys about 80% of it’s coffee beans supply directly form coffee farmers.

How do you take your coffee?

Black and prefer Hario V60 brewing.

How many coffee cups do you drink on an average day?

About 6 cups but some of them are small

Do you enjoy having your coffee with pastry alongside, and if so, what is it?

Coffee sourdough bread with cheese and jam is lovely in the morning with the first cup of coffee.

Do you have a favorite Single-origin coffee?

Ethiopia for special occasion but Guatemalan if I would be stranded on an island for long time.

What was the most unusual or experimental coffee you tasted?

Kopi Luwak and not for the nice experience. Good experience was Mocca from El Injerto in Guatemala.

What is your favorite coffee shop and what makes it enjoyable?

If I can not mention Kaffitár, my own, then I have to say Cafe Europa in Copenhagen. The food and coffee is great and so is their location.

From your experience, what is the most important factor when it comes to making good coffee?

Great beans, fresh roast, good water and patience with attention to details in the brewing.