About Us

Our Story

A Tradition Since 1989

Since 1989, MacBeans has been proudly serving Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland, making us the oldest independent coffee roasters and tea specialists in the region. For more than 36 years, we have remained committed to quality, freshness and sharing our passion for exceptional coffee and tea with our community.

Where It All Began

The idea for MacBeans began when founder Ian Cukrowski visited Braithwaite's in Dundee. Inspired by the traditional tea and coffee merchant and recognising that Aberdeen lacked a similar specialist shop, Ian set out to create a destination where people could discover high-quality coffees and loose-leaf teas from around the world.

On 12th October 1989, MacBeans first opened its doors at 3 Little Belmont Street. After a successful first year, Ian purchased the premises at 2 Little Belmont Street, directly across the road, where we have proudly remained ever since.

Learning From Origin

Throughout his years at MacBeans, Ian travelled extensively to deepen his understanding of coffee and the people behind it. His journeys took him to countries including Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras and Canada, where he learned directly from farmers and producers about the origins, traditions and hard work that go into every cup.

Those experiences helped shape the values that still guide MacBeans today.

A New Chapter

In 2022, Ian retired and passed the business on to Brian Milne. Under Brian's ownership, MacBeans has continued to grow while staying true to its roots. A key part of his vision is keeping speciality coffee accessible to everyone by offering outstanding quality at affordable prices.

Brian shares the same passion for learning and sourcing. He has travelled to coffee-producing regions in India and Colombia, with a forthcoming trip to Peru, building relationships with farmers and cooperatives and gaining a deeper understanding of where our coffee comes from and the stories behind it.

Roasted Fresh, Every Day

Today, we roast fresh coffee seven days a week in our basement roastery using our 5kg roaster. Roasting little and often means the coffee you buy from us has typically been roasted within just a few days, ensuring maximum freshness and the very best flavour in every cup.

Tea, Hardware and Sweet Treats

Alongside our coffee, we stock more than 75 loose-leaf teas, ranging from traditional black teas and delicate green teas to naturally caffeine-free herbal blends, offering something to suit every taste.

We also carry a carefully selected range of brewing equipment, accessories and confectionery, making MacBeans a one-stop destination for coffee and tea lovers alike.

Supporting Businesses Across Scotland

We are proud to supply freshly roasted coffee to cafés, restaurants, bars and businesses across Scotland. Working closely with our trade partners, we provide high-quality coffee, dependable service and the expertise needed to help them serve exceptional coffee to their own customers.

Knowledge You Can Trust

Our knowledgeable team and roasters bring years of experience in speciality coffee and tea. Whether you're searching for a new favourite origin, the perfect loose-leaf tea, advice on home brewing, or support for your business, we're always happy to help.

Every product we offer is carefully selected and every batch we roast is maintained to the high standards that MacBeans has been known for since day one.

Why Visit MacBeans?

More than 36 years after opening on Little Belmont Street, we remain proudly independent, deeply rooted in our local community, and dedicated to providing fresh, expertly roasted coffee and exceptional tea for generations to come.

From freshly roasted beans and over 75 loose-leaf teas to brewing hardware, confectionery and trade partnerships across Scotland, MacBeans offers something for everyone.

Whether you're a lifelong coffee enthusiast, a casual tea drinker, or simply exploring the Granite City, this is why MacBeans is a must-visit destination on your next trip to Aberdeen.

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