Enterprising coffee makers taste success

Emerald Ridge Coffee, a new coffee brand, has been developed and is being marketed successfully in Northern Ireland by a group of students under the Young Enterprise scheme.

Based at Knockloughrim Campus, near Magherafelt in county Derry, Emerald Ridge Coffee is now on sale in leading delis in Northern Ireland. The company, formed by six students aged 16-17 has launched a range of coffee products featuring Northern Ireland landmarks.

The distinctive brands are Causeway (reflecting the Giant's Causeway, the UNESCO site in county Antrim), Dark Hedges (the TV series Game of Thrones) and Rathlin (Rathlin Island off county Antrim).

Jarl Porter, managing director of the Young Enterprise business, says: "We are a young, artisan company that takes pride in providing the true, Irish, artisan taste. "We are set up under the Young Enterprise scheme to learn about business.

"The idea for our business came as we thought about pursuing the things we love. All of us loved coffee. But, we also love Irish and artisan food. We thought to combine the true, Irish, artisan taste with beverages.

"The range of coffees we have created, are roasted in Ireland and are named after iconic landmarks across Ireland, that the team enjoys visiting.

"Our vision for the company is to provide the true Irish, artisan taste. We see Emerald Ridge as a household name in years to come - being renowned for quality, passion and great coffee," he adds.

The team is made up of six young students with high hopes of success in the business world. "We have a shared passion for beverages, that are Irish and artisan and we hope to share this passion and coffee with the world," he says.