Moon Roast Coffee in Hampshire: Award-Winning Specialty Coffee & Coffee Subscriptions

When it comes to specialty coffee in Hampshire, few names stand out quite like Moon Roast Coffee. Nestled in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, Moon Roast has built a reputation for quality, sustainability, and passion from its humble beginnings in a garden shed to becoming an award-winning roastery supplying coffee lovers nationwide.

For RISE Coffee Box co-founder Alice, Moon Roast holds a special place. Based just a short drive from her hometown of Denmead in Hampshire, Moon Roast is not only one of the UK’s most respected specialty coffee roasters, but also a local favourite. Having grown up surrounded by the Hampshire countryside, Alice has long admired how Moon Roast has stayed rooted in its community and their roastery is a beautiful spot for locals to meet and have a delicious lunch (or coffee!). Alice is super excited to be able to share this awesome roastery with RISE coffee lovers across the UK! 

If you would like 10% off a bag of Moon Roast direct from the roaster, click here and use code RISE10

🌙 The Moon Roast Story: From Moonlit Beginnings to Hampshire Roastery

The story of Moon Roast Coffee is as inspiring as the brews themselves. In 2012, founder Francis Bradshaw set out to rekindle his family’s long tradition in the coffee and tea trade. For four generations, the Bradshaw family had worked in beverages, and Francis was determined to bring that heritage into a modern, specialty coffee setting.

Armed with passion and a Probat coffee roaster installed in his garden shed, Francis would roast coffee late at night, after finishing his day job. Under the moonlight, batches of freshly roasted beans filled the Hampshire air and the name Moon Roast was born.

Word quickly spread. Friends, neighbours, and local businesses began buying his coffee, charmed by both its quality and its story. Within just a few years, demand grew so much that the Bradshaws made a bold move. In 2017, Moon Roast transitioned from shed to scale, moving into a purpose-built roastery nestled inside converted Grade II listed outbuildings on a working farm in Hampshire.

What began as a backyard hobby has since blossomed into a nationally recognised specialty coffee roastery with awards, subscribers, and a loyal following across the UK.

Moon Roast make coffee personal and approachable in an industry often filled with jargon. Their mission is simple: make specialty coffee enjoyable, accessible, and convenient.

🔥 Behind the Scenes at the Hampshire Roastery

Step inside the Moon Roast roastery today, and you’ll find a passionate team of ten coffee lovers, each dedicated to perfecting the art of small-batch roasting. Founder Fran is often on site alongside roaster Dan and the rest of the team.  The beating heart of the roastery remains the Probat machine, a piece of German engineering renowned in the specialty coffee world for its precision and consistency.

Unlike mass-market roasters, Moon Roast insists on a small-batch approach. This means that beans are roasted in carefully controlled quantities, allowing the team to capture the full character of each origin. Every batch is cupped, tasted, and adjusted where necessary to ensure only the best flavours make it into your bag.

A typical day at the roastery might include:

• Green coffee arriving from trusted import partners.

• Careful inspection of beans for quality and consistency.

• Roasting and cupping sessions tailored to bring out unique flavour notes (floral, fruity, chocolatey, or nutty).

• Packing and dispatching fresh coffee directly to subscribers and wholesale partners.

This dedication ensures that whether you buy Moon Roast at a Hampshire café, through their coffee subscription, or direct from their online shop, you’re enjoying coffee that was likely roasted just days or even hours, before it reached your cup. Nice!

☕ Specialty Coffee with a Difference

Unlike some roasteries where jargon can be overwhelming, Moon Roast brings a down-to-earth, approachable touch to the specialty coffee world. Their team offers helpful guidance on choosing beans, brewing methods, and equipment, making them an excellent choice for anyone new to specialty coffee or looking to deepen their knowledge.

They also host brewing courses like Latte Art and Bean to Barista, designed to help you master the perfect cup at home.

Moon Roast holds SALSA accreditation (ensuring safety, traceability, and quality) and is on its journey toward B Corp certification, aligning with the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. This is great news for us at RISE, as we were awarded B Corp status in January 2025 and love to support businesses who are sustainably minded like us. 

🏆 Award-Winning Hampshire Coffee

Moon Roast’s dedication to quality has earned them 17 Great Taste Awards, as well as recognition as Best Local Producer by Muddy Stilettos. Their growing reputation has taken them from a backyard roaster to a nationally respected name in specialty coffee.

And it’s not just the industry that recognises them. Coffee drinkers rave about Moon Roast too.

🌍 Sustainability at Moon Roast

On the sourcing side, Moon Roast places huge emphasis on direct and ethical relationships with farmers and cooperatives. They pay premiums of up to 20% above market rate based on cup quality, ensuring that producers are rewarded fairly for their hard work. Coffees like the Colombia Popayán Decaf are a perfect example of this, not only delivering excellent flavour, but also strengthening long-term, sustainable farming partnerships.

🌍 Explore Moon Roast Coffees

Ethiopia Beshasha (featured in RISE coffee box, Sept 2025)

This coffee is banging! Grown by Mustefa Abakeno in the Agaro region of Jimma, Western Ethiopia, this coffee thrives at 2000–2100m above sea level. With floral and fruity notes, balanced sweetness, and a tea-like finish, it’s a perfect showcase of what Ethiopia does best.

• Tasting notes: Apricot, almond, treacle

• Roast style: Medium, versatile for espresso, V60, Aeropress, or cafetiere

Decaf Colombia Popayán

A standout decaf that doesn’t compromise on flavour. Grown in the foothills of the Andes, this sugarcane decaffeinated coffee boasts natural sweetness and delicate florals. Ethically sourced from a group of 65 smallholder farmers, with premiums of up to 20% above market rate paid for cup quality.

• Tasting notes: Milk chocolate, caramel, floral

• Roast style: Medium, perfect for all brew methods

🌄 Moon Roast in the South Coast Coffee Scene

Located in the rolling countryside of Hampshire, Moon Roast is not just a roastery it’s a community hub. Their approachable style, training courses, and transparent sourcing make them a brand that resonates both locally and nationally.

Just a stone’s throw from the Moon Roast roastery, nestled within the peaceful Chilton Candover countryside, you'll discover The Yard Café at Chilton Manor Farm. This light-filled, converted barn café serves up Moon Roast’s freshly roasted specialty coffee in a setting that blends rustic charm with modern flair ideal for relaxed catch-ups or countryside-minded coffee lovers  With indoor and outdoor seating, a rotating menu of toasties, salads, cakes, and fresh juices, The Yard has become both a local gathering spot and a destination for visitors seeking a scenic coffee experience and is definitely worth checking out!

❓ FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Moon Roast Coffee

What is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee is defined as coffee scoring 80+ points on the Specialty Coffee Association scale, meaning it has exceptional flavour, quality, and traceability. Moon Roast sources only specialty-grade beans.

Where is Moon Roast based?
Moon Roast is based in Hampshire, in converted Grade II listed farm outbuildings surrounded by beautiful countryside and next door to The Yard cafe.

Does Moon Roast offer subscriptions?
Yes! A Moon Roast coffee subscription lets you receive fresh beans at your door, with flexible delivery options.

Is Moon Roast sustainable?
Yes. They hold SALSA accreditation, are working toward B Corp certification, and pay ethical premiums to farmers.

Where can I buy Moon Roast Coffee?
You can buy directly through their shop, subscribe, or find them in select independent cafés and shops across Hampshire. You can also find them inside the RISE coffee box September edition.

✅ Ready To Stock Up On Moon Roast Coffee?

If you’ve enjoyed Moon Roast through a subscription service or a gift, there’s no better way to continue your journey than by ordering directly. By buying from Moon Roast’s online store, you’re supporting an independent roastery, investing in sustainable coffee, and guaranteeing the freshest possible beans.

If you would like 10% off a bag of Moon Roast direct from the roaster, click here and use code RISE10