Ask the Roaster - Philip from Lippe Kaffe

How was the Roastery founded, what was the inspiration?

The company (Temperato Espressomaskiner AS) was established in 1998 (20 years this summer!) by Alexander and Pia von der Lippe. They were delivering equipment to the Norwegian domestic market, primarily the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine and the Rocky grinder. Both Alexander and Pia were students at the time, finishing their Masters in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry respectively. The business grew organically from that point onward. In 2002 they opened a small specialty shop in the Bislett area of Oslo, providing the market with all sorts of gadgets and coffee for domestic use whilst also slowly starting to supply to the professional market. During 2006 they started planning for their own roastery, a dream that had been with them since the beginning. A brand new 15 kilo Joper roaster was installed in 2007 and the story continued. Coffee branded as LIPPE was well accepted by the market from day one and ever since, roasting volumes have steadily grown.

What's your favourite part about working at the Roastery?

Personally I have to say THE COFFEE! Once you go light roast you cannot go back. Otherwise though I love the fact that I am able to work with something I love, constantly learning and developing sensory skills as well as learning about different stages of coffee processing, production and sales. Helping customers achieve goals in their café businesses.

What's your proudest accomplishment?

We are very happy looking back at 20 years of business and now 10 years of coffee roasting as well. Having a brand that is perceived for what it is, a high quality coffee delivered with stable quality to coffee lovers in Norway and throughout the world, wrapped in a beautiful packaging makes us very proud. The last two years placing 3rd in the Norwegian Roasters competition is also pleasing, considering the competition we are very pleased to hold that position.

What three words best describe your Roastery?

Science - Art - Quality

What’s your favourite place to enjoy a coffee, and what coffee would that be?

Has to be African, preferably Kenyan. Somewhere relaxing. 

Finally, what Dog & Hat combination would you choose?

Funny question, haha. Not very coffee related but here goes: My wife and I often joke about different dogs that we would like to adopt one day and the names they would have.

  • Mariachi is a caramel coloured toy poodle wearing a NY baseball cap and a denim shirt.
  • Cantinflas is his brother - he wears a sombrero.
  • Chester the Basset hound who likes to smoke a pipe and wears a deerstalker.

Note, when Mariachi walks into a room, a mariachi band is always playing :-)