In the world of specialty coffee, we often talk about roasting or the barista's craft. But at Sortengold, we see the bigger picture. Founded by Ronald Lukomwa from Uganda and Lorenz Stöckert from Berlin, our model is based on personal relationships far beyond anonymous commodity exchanges.
Our journey begins with farmers like Magolofa, one of the Miale Tubana farmers in Uganda. When Magolofa hand-picks the cherries in the biodynamic coffee gardens on Mount Elgon, he lays the foundation. This respect for the plant and the soil is the first step in a chain that we secure through fair prices — far above world market prices — and radical transparency.
All the care in cultivation and the precision of our roasting at the Communal Coffee Space in Neukölln — on Probat and Typhoon roasters — culminate in an often underestimated ingredient: water.
98% Responsibility: Brewing Water as a Partner
Coffee consists of over 98% water. In Berlin, however, we face the challenge that tap water is extremely hard, with 14 to 21 dH. A high lime content acts like a filter here, swallowing the subtle nuances of high-quality beans.
In our workshop at GetYourGuide's Berlin headquarters, we therefore chose Spreequell Naturell as the Official Brewing Water. With calcium 17.0 mg/l, magnesium 3.3 mg/l, and a total hardness of around 3 dH, it falls within the ideal range of international SCA standards (Specialty Coffee Association).
Mg
Magnesium - 3.3 mg/lActs as a flavor extractor, drawing sweetness and fruity notes from the grounds.
Ca
Calcium - 17.0 mg/lGives espresso structure and body without burdening the machine with limescale.
| Mineral | Spreequell Naturell | Berlin Tap Water |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 17.0 mg/l | approx. 90-110 mg/l |
| Magnesium | 3.3 mg/l | approx. 7-12 mg/l |
| Sodium | 6.2 mg/l | approx. 15-25 mg/l |
| Total Hardness | approx. 3 dH | 14-21 dH |
Shared Mission: Responsibility for People and Region
While we empower coffee farming communities in Uganda, Spreequell is committed to the people in our city — using green electricity at its production site and with a special focus on homelessness aid in Berlin.
As a long-standing partner of the Berliner Stadtmission, Spreequell supports homelessness aid and the Kältebus (cold weather bus). Whether global direct trade or local aid: it's about deploying resources where they are truly needed.
That's why Spreequell Naturell has become an integral part of our barista workshops and events in Berlin.
Sources
- Spreequell Sustainability: spreequell.de/nachhaltigkeit
- Spreequell Mineral Water Values: spreequell.de/mineralwasser
- Sortengold About Us: sortengold.de/pages/uber-uns
- SCA Water Quality Standards: sca.coffee/research/protocols-best-practices