Our history

At Costa Coffee, we've always believed you need passion to create perfection. Primarily because that's what Sergio and Bruno - the Costa brothers - believed.

London, born and blended since 1971

Costa Coffee taxi

We've over 45 years' experience of crafting the finest quality coffee. From revolutionary methods to unforgettable successes that make our story as unique as the taste of our coffee.

But first, let’s start with how every good story should. At the very beginning.

The Costa Coffee story began back in 1971 when Sergio and Bruno arrived in London with a burning desire to make great tasting coffee a part of everyday life. Setting up a small roastery in Fenchurch Street, they committed to crafting the finest quality coffee.

It was here the Costa brothers blind-tested 112 variations of coffee before they tasted one good enough to be our Signature Blend. They named it ‘Mocha Italia’ and it remains our Signature Blend to this day.

The Costa Brothers blended 112 variations of beans to create Mocha Italia; their Signature Blend

Our Signature Blend

Our iconic Signature Blend is the perfect combination and balance of delicate Arabica and strong Robusta beans, precisely slow roasted for a minimum of 18 minutes to ensure the beans keep their hearty flavour, rich aroma, and smooth taste.

Moving on up

Costa Coffee Old Paradise Street

In 1978, as demand for their coffee grew, so too did their premises, moving to South London where the brothers transformed a huge plot of grassland into a brand-new roastery.

The new site was located on Old Paradise Street, Lambeth, where the Costa Coffee roastery remained until 2017.

From here, Sergio and Bruno produced and distributed their signature blend to some of the most esteemed establishments in the city.

The Costa brothers delivered bags of coffee to some of their prestigious customers by London taxi

From strength to strength

Costa Coffee Boutique

In 1981, the brothers opened their first Costa Coffee shop in Vauxhall Bridge Road.

It was in this innovative shop that the brothers became the first coffee providers in London to serve Espresso and crafted Cappuccino in porcelain cups so that customers could experience coffee at its best.

Soon shops started opening up across prestigious locations in London, becoming destinations for fashionable Londoners.

 

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