Bean Smitten

Bean Smitten is an independent speciality coffee roastery on the Kent and East Sussex border, set in a rural workshop near Flimwell about twenty minutes from Royal Tunbridge Wells. Darren Tickner founded the business in 2014 after leaving a finance career, motivated by the gap he saw between high street chains and the better cup he found in independent shops.

The roastery roasts in small batches several times a week, supplying cafes, hotels, mobile coffee businesses and offices across Kent, Sussex and Surrey, alongside online customers throughout the UK. Beans are sourced through Falcon Specialty for full provenance, with a current line up that includes blends such as Classic, Revive and Equinox, single origins from Colombia, Nicaragua, Peru, Costa Rica and Uganda, and a sugarcane-process Colombia Atunkaa decaf.

Great Taste Awards have followed across multiple years, including a three star in 2021. The roastery is open Monday to Friday for take-away coffees and bean collection, with a 24/7 click and collect box at the on-site Cedar Gables Campsite.

Bean Smitten is also an authorised distributor of Sanremo espresso machines.