How does the in-store roasting process work?

Raw green beans are roasted to order using a compact Jet Roaster machine. The roasting takes around 3 minutes, followed by 6 minutes of cooling, allowing you to take home freshly roasted beans in under 10 minutes.

Can I choose my own roast level?

Yes, you can customize the degree of roast for your beans, choosing between light, medium, or dark roast based on your taste preference.

Where are Dear Deer's green coffee beans sourced from?

Dear Deer sources raw coffee beans from over 35 varieties across 19 coffee-producing countries worldwide.

Does Dear Deer sell home brewing equipment?

Yes, Dear Deer stocks authentic Japanese brewing gear, including Kalita coffee equipment and ORIGAMI drippers.

Does Dear Deer have a loyalty program?

Yes, Dear Deer offers a Store Loyalty Card for regular customers.

Are single-serve or quick-brew coffee options available?

Yes, Dear Deer produces Original Drip Bag packs containing single-serve pour-over filter bags for convenient brewing anywhere.

Dear Deer Coffee Roasting Bar Ellerslie

cafe — Ellerslie · Auckland

About Dear Deer Coffee Roasting Bar Ellerslie

Dear Deer Coffee Roasting Bar brings authentic Japanese coffee culture and bespoke on-demand roasting to Ellerslie. Rooted in deep coffee heritage, the brand was established in Auckland by Yukichi Shikano, whose family legacy traces back to his grand uncle Morikyo Itomitsu, founder of the renowned Japanese coffee equipment maker Kalita, and his father's Tokyo coffee shop, Fukumame.

At the heart of the Dear Deer experience is the custom Jet Roaster machine. Rather than relying on pre-roasted, bulk-stored coffee beans, raw beans sourced from across the globe are roasted to order in small batches in just minutes. Customers can personally select their preferred roast level—from light to medium or dark—ensuring an exceptional, tailored cup and unmatched freshness.

Freshness Roasted to Order: Dear Deer Coffee Roasting Bar in Ellerslie

Dear Deer Coffee Roasting Bar brings a distinctive touch of Japanese craftsmanship and roasting philosophy to Auckland’s Ellerslie village. While many specialty cafes operate by serving beans roasted weeks in advance at central production facilities, Dear Deer operates under a completely different model: roasting green beans on demand right before your eyes.

The lineage behind Dear Deer is steeped in international coffee history. Founder Yukichi Shikano comes from an esteemed heritage of Japanese coffee innovators, beginning with his grand uncle Morikyo Itomitsu, the creator of the globally revered Japanese coffee equipment company Kalita. Following that tradition, Yukichi’s father founded Fukumame in Tokyo in 2007, a neighbourhood fixture that continues to roast to this day. In 2018, Yukichi brought this family legacy and artisanal methodology to Auckland, creating Dear Deer Coffee Roasting Bar.

The Jet Roaster Experience

What sets Dear Deer apart is the in-store roasting process powered by their bespoke Jet Roaster machine. Rather than using conventional high-volume drum roasters, Dear Deer uses compact roasters designed to handle approximately 600 grams of green beans at a time. The result is pure personalization.

Guests can choose from an expansive selection of raw beans representing more than 35 varieties across 19 countries. Once an order is placed, the Jet Roaster roasts the beans on the spot in approximately three minutes, followed by six minutes of rapid cooling. Customers can customize their roast degree precisely to their palate, selecting from light, medium, or dark roasts.

Distinctive Blends and Single Origins

Dear Deer’s rotating shelves feature an exciting mix of balanced blends and rare single origins. Notable favorites include the Kissa Blend—paying homage to Japan’s historic kissaten coffee parlors—and limited seasonal releases like the Sakura Blend, uniting origins from Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Brazil.

Single origin enthusiasts will find carefully sourced lots such as the Costa Rica Don Claudio Natural, packed with expressive berry and cocoa notes, alongside the smooth, chocolatey Mexico Chiapas Altura Montane Maya SHG, honey-processed Colombian lots, washed Tanzanian AA, and natural African coffees. For brewing at home, the shop also carries authentic Japanese equipment, notably Kalita Wave drippers and ORIGAMI brew ware, alongside portable drip bag packs.

Signature items

Custom Jet Roaster Service
Costa Rica Don Claudio Natural
Mexico Chiapas Altura Montane Maya SHG
Kissa (喫茶) Blend
Dear Deer Sakura Blend 2026
Dear Deer Original Drip Bags

Costa Rica Don Claudio Natural — Notes of ripe strawberries, rich cocoa, sparkling apple cider, berry compote, red grapes, and caramel sweetness.
Mexico Chiapas Altura Montane Maya SHG — Aromas and notes of chocolate cake, gentle spices, panela sugar, dried fruit hints, and burnt caramel.
Brazil Sitio Baixadao Natural — Naturally processed single origin coffee bean from Brazil.
Uganda Sipi Falls Natural — Naturally processed single origin offering from the Sipi Falls region in Uganda.
Ethiopia Guji Arsosala Natural — Natural process specialty single origin bean hailing from the Guji region.
China Yunnan HG 15+ — High grade single origin specialty coffee beans grown in Yunnan.
Colombia Aponte Honey — Honey-processed specialty coffee from Colombia offering delicate, sweet complexity.
Tanzania South AA Washed — Fully washed AA grade single origin coffee from Southern Tanzania.

Original Blends

Dear Deer Sakura Blend 2026 — Limited edition seasonal blend combining beans from Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Brazil.
Kissa (喫茶) Blend — Signature house blend inspired by traditional Japanese kissaten coffeehouse culture.
Dear Deer Premium Blend — Rich and balanced premium house coffee blend.

Drip Bags & Equipment

Dear Deer Original Drip Bag (6 bags) — Convenient single-serve pour-over filter drip bags packed with freshly roasted coffee.
Kalita Coffee Equipment — Specialist Japanese pour-over brewing gear including the iconic Kalita Wave drippers.
ORIGAMI Drippers & Equipment — Artisan Japanese ceramic and resin pour-over drippers designed for precise extraction.
Reusable Eco-Cups — Branded reusable takeaway coffee cups.

Frequently asked questions

How does the in-store roasting process work?: Raw green beans are roasted to order using a compact Jet Roaster machine. The roasting takes around 3 minutes, followed by 6 minutes of cooling, allowing you to take home freshly roasted beans in under 10 minutes.
Can I choose my own roast level?: Yes, you can customize the degree of roast for your beans, choosing between light, medium, or dark roast based on your taste preference.
Where are Dear Deer's green coffee beans sourced from?: Dear Deer sources raw coffee beans from over 35 varieties across 19 coffee-producing countries worldwide.
Does Dear Deer sell home brewing equipment?: Yes, Dear Deer stocks authentic Japanese brewing gear, including Kalita coffee equipment and ORIGAMI drippers.
Does Dear Deer have a loyalty program?: Yes, Dear Deer offers a Store Loyalty Card for regular customers.
Are single-serve or quick-brew coffee options available?: Yes, Dear Deer produces Original Drip Bag packs containing single-serve pour-over filter bags for convenient brewing anywhere.

Tips

{"body":"Take advantage of the Jet Roaster and ask for your beans to be roasted specifically to light, medium, or dark to suit your home brewing setup.","title":"Customize your roast level"}
{"body":"Because the founder is directly related to the creator of Kalita, it is an ideal spot to source genuine Kalita Wave drippers and filters.","title":"Pick up Kalita gear direct from the family legacy"}
{"body":"Pick up a six-pack of Dear Deer original drip bags for convenient pour-over coffee while traveling or at the office.","title":"Grab drip bags for travel"}

Good to know

{"payments":"Accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Union Pay, and Shop Pay."}