Savouring Sur: Global coffee beans turn local dream into reality
Published: 02:10 PM,Oct 31,2023 | EDITED : 06:10 PM,Oct 31,2023
Immediately upon walking inside, the aroma of a nutty and smoky smell fills the shop's air. I can't stop breathing in the scents because there is nothing like the smell of beans before, during, or after a roast. One of the owners of Falak in Sur laughs and says the roastery smell is like a natural bukhour.
Falak was opened in August 2021 by cofounders Fatema Al Saadi, Afraa Al Khazraji, head roaster Rashid Al Araimi, and other friends and family. From the start, I was impressed with the shop and the team because of their passion, commitment to staying local, and eagerness to collaborate with other shops.
The team felt the coffee business was growing in Oman and noticed that roasters were starting to open. The group decided to open in Sur; with Al Khazraji's coffee knowledge and Al Araimi's enthusiasm, they figured they had much to offer. Falak also wanted to be 100 percent local and build an Omani brand. Even before they opened in 2021, avid coffee drinkers had been giving positive feedback about their coffee. This is important because it shows they want customers' opinions to know if there is room for improvement and what beans are preferred.
The name Falak represents the past and the present. Sur is known as a coastal city, so they wanted to keep this idea to honour their ancestors who sailed from various ports to another. This idea is similar to a new approach. The group brings coffee from all over the world, feeling like there is a connection between them. Falak translates to space, and ancestors used astrology to navigate, so they used this idea for coffee. Coffee from around the world will connect with customers and the community.
Falak's ethically sourced beans come from Columbia, Ethiopia, Panama, Guatemala, Burundi, Brazil, and Honduras, with more in the future. Al Araimi started learning about coffee by taking various roasting courses, such as the fundamentals of roasting. He also has a certificate of sensory, meaning he knows how to deal with the bean, the taste, and how to judge if it's good or bad. It is not only about serving coffee but also about the culture. Falak ensures the beans are the best to sell to customers, and they also encourage customer feedback.
I like coffee, but I wouldn't say I'm a connoisseur and know the beans and flavours while drinking. So, when I went to the shop, I learned that the Ethiopian Heirloom classic has hints of apricot and a chocolate bitterness, while other beans are fruitier with more floral tastes.
Buying various beans from Falak is a great way to become more knowledgeable about coffee and to gain a palette for different filtered coffees. Al Araimi goes to the shops that sell their beans in Sur. He goes there to teach the baristas how to grind, to show them how to work the machines, and to test the beans to ensure they taste how they are supposed to taste. I was recently at one of the shops they supply beans to. Al Araimi was there, testing different bags, checking the pour-over methods with baristas, and having the owner taste the various coffees. The connection was evident, and the passion Falak has is incredible.
It is a way to bring people together to gain the customers' trust and create a relationship with them. As they say, withholding knowledge is no benefit; this is an excellent way to educate customers, baristas, and coffee shop owners. Having discussed the coffee concept with the cofounders and the head barista, it is impossible not to be impressed with their knowledge and passion for educating and working with the community.
It is encouraging to see people with passion pursue their dreams while continuing to learn more about the business. A few plans entail participating in coffee exhibitions in Oman and outside, having coffee workshops, and continuing to make a name for themselves.
For those in Sur, Falak's coffee is currently at Black Dose and Annecy, or you can find them on Instagram @falak.om. A few shops outside Sur include Kuch Albun @kuch_albun_ in Nizwa and 27JuneBarista in Bahla @27junebarista.
Falak was opened in August 2021 by cofounders Fatema Al Saadi, Afraa Al Khazraji, head roaster Rashid Al Araimi, and other friends and family. From the start, I was impressed with the shop and the team because of their passion, commitment to staying local, and eagerness to collaborate with other shops.
The team felt the coffee business was growing in Oman and noticed that roasters were starting to open. The group decided to open in Sur; with Al Khazraji's coffee knowledge and Al Araimi's enthusiasm, they figured they had much to offer. Falak also wanted to be 100 percent local and build an Omani brand. Even before they opened in 2021, avid coffee drinkers had been giving positive feedback about their coffee. This is important because it shows they want customers' opinions to know if there is room for improvement and what beans are preferred.
The name Falak represents the past and the present. Sur is known as a coastal city, so they wanted to keep this idea to honour their ancestors who sailed from various ports to another. This idea is similar to a new approach. The group brings coffee from all over the world, feeling like there is a connection between them. Falak translates to space, and ancestors used astrology to navigate, so they used this idea for coffee. Coffee from around the world will connect with customers and the community.
Falak's ethically sourced beans come from Columbia, Ethiopia, Panama, Guatemala, Burundi, Brazil, and Honduras, with more in the future. Al Araimi started learning about coffee by taking various roasting courses, such as the fundamentals of roasting. He also has a certificate of sensory, meaning he knows how to deal with the bean, the taste, and how to judge if it's good or bad. It is not only about serving coffee but also about the culture. Falak ensures the beans are the best to sell to customers, and they also encourage customer feedback.
I like coffee, but I wouldn't say I'm a connoisseur and know the beans and flavours while drinking. So, when I went to the shop, I learned that the Ethiopian Heirloom classic has hints of apricot and a chocolate bitterness, while other beans are fruitier with more floral tastes.
Buying various beans from Falak is a great way to become more knowledgeable about coffee and to gain a palette for different filtered coffees. Al Araimi goes to the shops that sell their beans in Sur. He goes there to teach the baristas how to grind, to show them how to work the machines, and to test the beans to ensure they taste how they are supposed to taste. I was recently at one of the shops they supply beans to. Al Araimi was there, testing different bags, checking the pour-over methods with baristas, and having the owner taste the various coffees. The connection was evident, and the passion Falak has is incredible.
It is a way to bring people together to gain the customers' trust and create a relationship with them. As they say, withholding knowledge is no benefit; this is an excellent way to educate customers, baristas, and coffee shop owners. Having discussed the coffee concept with the cofounders and the head barista, it is impossible not to be impressed with their knowledge and passion for educating and working with the community.
It is encouraging to see people with passion pursue their dreams while continuing to learn more about the business. A few plans entail participating in coffee exhibitions in Oman and outside, having coffee workshops, and continuing to make a name for themselves.
For those in Sur, Falak's coffee is currently at Black Dose and Annecy, or you can find them on Instagram @falak.om. A few shops outside Sur include Kuch Albun @kuch_albun_ in Nizwa and 27JuneBarista in Bahla @27junebarista.