Based in Dublin, Ireland, Sumo Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roastery renowned for its focus on quality, transparency, and traceability. Founded in the summer of 2020 by Daniel Horbat—the 2019 World Cup Tasters Champion—and his partner Alexandra, the business was born out of a desire to bridge the gap between hard-working coffee producers and the final consumer. Operating out of their facility in the Bluebell Industrial Estate (Dublin 12), they source exceptional, often experimental coffee lots from around the world, ranging from rare competition-level beans to high-quality "everyday" drinkers. Their work involves meticulously roasting these beans to highlight their unique origin stories and flavor profiles, while ensuring ethical practices and fair prices for the farmers they partner with.

Why "Sumo"?

Sumo Coffee Roasters has a special place in our hearts, rooted deeply in our childhood memories. Growing up in communist Romania, our television time was limited to a few hours a day, with only one or two channels available on our black-and-white TVs. Everything changed after the Romanian Revolution when Daniel’s mother returned from abroad with a colour TV. Daniel vividly remembers being the first among his friends to have one. On this new TV, he discovered sumo wrestling and was captivated by Akebono, the first non-Japanese-born sumo wrestler to achieve the highest rank of Yokozuna

Akebono’s remarkable achievements and larger-than-life presence turned Daniel into a devoted fan. He spent much of his childhood watching sumo instead of cartoons, growing fascinated by the sport’s blend of complexity and simplicity. This early connection to sumo wrestling continues to inspire us and shapes the spirit of Sumo Coffee Roasters today.

Being sumo isn’t just about being big or having strength - sumo wrestling embodies discipline, sacrifice, and respect - values that resonate deeply with us and our approach to coffee. Much like sumo training, preparing for coffee competitions requires a strict regimen, focus, and a whole lot of heart. Daniel, inspired by sumo discipline, won the 2019 World Cup Tasters Championship by dedicating himself to the craft with the same intensity and commitment. He always says that sumo wrestling was one of the things that helped him stay motivated during his competitions - eating plain chicken and rice, no alcoholic drinks at all, no smoking, nor going out for six months and living a simple life, all to win a World Championship.

Sumo also represents the beautiful way coffee connects cultures, traditions, and people in one cup. Here we are, a Romanian duo, living in Ireland, roasting beans from almost all the producing countries, inspired by Japanese culture, and sharing our coffee worldwide. Coffee truly brings people together, and that’s what we celebrate with every roast.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Whether you’re a coffee newbie or a seasoned connoisseur, we hope our coffee brings a smile to your face and a story to your cup.

Stay caffeinated and curious!

Daniel & Alex 💗