Since the beginning of this year, one of Helsinki’s longest streets, Mannerheimintie has been graced by a colorful and fresh café in the middle of the city’s busiest area. Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo is a young but experienced artisan coffee roasting factory which espresso bar Skanno Café operates inside the interior design store Skanno. Thanks to their co-operation, the café has a lot of exquisite pieces of furniture and interesting lamps, and one could call the café a feast of vivacious colors. The energizing colors parade on the otherwise harmonious white background whereas the beautiful flower arrangements top off the wholeness.

Source: Elisabeth Heinrichs

The co-operation with Skanno got started when the family business moved from Salmisaari to the city center and Ulrika Hannula, owner of Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo, suggested a collaboration since the owners knew each other from before.

Source: Elisabeth Heinrichs

Skanno is one of Finland’s oldest interior design companies that offer interior design solutions for public spaces and private homes, top-notch products, one-of a kind events and a stunning store space for its customers. Its “Finnishness” comes out in the Skanno Collection which has been designed mainly by Finnish designers. In addition, Skanno represents a number of international top design brands.

Source: Elisabeth Heinrichs

Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo’s official roasting factory is located also in Helsinki, on Päijänteentie in the Vallila district. The company was founded out of the passion for coffee and during the making process the company strives for perfection and seeks a perfect coffee blend. According to espresso bar Skanno Café’s owner this is an endless quest that in itself is interesting. The meaning is not to merely find one perfect cup of coffee because then there wouldn’t be any challenge. According to Hannula, the incredible world of coffee stands for an adventure into the world of tastes.

Source: Elisabeth Heinrichs

Coffee is also an ethical matter to Skanno Café. The coffee is bought trough agents from Brazil, Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Indonesia. The company wants to work in favor of the future of coffee producers and farmers by improving their living conditions.

Source: Elisabeth Heinrichs

For Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo taste is the most important criteria when it comes to selecting the coffee beans, and it is not enough to get good coffee at a good price. The company collaborates with agents that it knows and trusts, which in turn know farmers and their farms and work conditions. Grey coffee is not supported. In this way, farmers can secure their future by paying better salaries to the coffee gatherers.

Source: Elisabeth Heinrichs

Spacious Skanno Café serves the coffee of Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo as different espresso based beverages. There is also a filter coffee alternative that changes on a daily basis. While watching the busy Mannerheimintie one can enjoy the changing selection of local artisan confectionery and bakery goods. Coffee beans can be bought home or be taken back home as souvenirs in bags of 250g (8-10€) or 1kg (30-38€). The café grinds the coffee, if needed, on the spot. The café also has a variety of magazines and newspapers available for their customers. If you take a fancy to the café, a pass for eight journeys awaits you.