Maria's Superior Coffee was born out of a love for good coffee, family memories, and a desire to create something special for the Graaff-Reinet community. When Hannes and Carol Ann van Jaarsveld retired, they wanted a project to keep them active and inspired. Hannes had always been deeply interested in coffee, while Carol Ann had a passion for tea. Together, they decided to open a small café that would celebrate both. The café quickly became a unique haven where coffee and tea lovers alike could find a drink made with care and a personal touch, reflective of Hannes and Carol Ann’s shared vision and dedication.
The name Maria's Superior Coffee was chosen to honor Hannes's mother, Maria, whose warmth and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. This name wasn’t just a nod to family history but also a symbol of the warmth they wanted to offer each guest—a place where customers would feel as welcome as family, just as they had felt in Maria's home. Located in the heart of Graaff-Reinet, the café and roastery embodied their dream of creating a cozy, familiar spot for the community to gather and enjoy something truly special.
In those early days, the vision was simple: to create a small, quality-focused café that offered locally roasted coffee. The community’s reaction was heartwarming. As the first coffee roastery in town, Maria's Superior Coffee introduced locals to an experience that was new yet felt like home. People loved having a dedicated spot for fresh, high-quality coffee, and the café quickly became a gathering place. The enthusiastic support allowed them to grow, bringing on staff and eventually expanding their offerings with a liquor license, a fully operational kitchen, and a variety of new blends.
Over the years, Hannes and Carol Ann gradually passed the torch to the next generation. Now fully retired, they’ve entrusted Maria's Superior Coffee to their sons, who are committed to preserving and growing the family legacy. General Manager André van Rensburg, who has been part of Maria's journey from the very start, plays a key role in this new chapter. With his deep connection to the roastery’s roots and his excitement for the future, André looks forward to building on the foundation that Hannes and Carol Ann established, ensuring that the values of Community, Authenticity, Quality, Sustainability, and Family continue to guide every cup brewed at Maria’s.
One of the standout personalities who helped shape the roastery's identity is Carl Frolick, who has been their dedicated roaster for a decade. Carl’s journey is as unique as the coffee he creates. Starting his career as a gardener, Carl moved on to bartending, where his engaging personality and curiosity set him apart. His love for learning led him to complete both a barista and roasting course, transforming him into the skilled roaster he is today. Carl’s warm personality and deep commitment to his craft are present in every cup he brews. To the locals, he’s more than just the roaster—he’s part of the reason Maria's coffee feels so familiar and comforting.
Over the years, Maria's has expanded its selection to include five unique blends, each crafted with care and an appreciation for quality. Their house blend, Camdeboo, named after the surrounding landscape, has remained unchanged, providing regulars with a dependable and comforting favorite. Customers particularly enjoy Ethiopia Sidamo coffee, which Carl loves to roast for its complex flavor profile that shines with each brew. Cuppuccinos made from the Camdeboo blend have become a local favorite, embodying the roastery’s dedication to quality and consistency.
Marking their 10th anniversary this year, Maria's Superior Coffee has taken the opportunity to rebrand, celebrating the values that have guided them from the start. This milestone represents a commitment not only to Graaff-Reinet but also to sharing their love for the Karoo with a broader audience. With plans to expand the brand countrywide, Maria's hopes to bring a taste of the Karoo’s warmth and character to coffee lovers across South Africa.
From sourcing green coffee beans from Zuka and WM Cahn to maintaining the quality of their house blend, Maria’s journey has been one of dedication, family values, and a deep respect for the community they serve. Each cup tells the story of Hannes, Carol Ann, André, Carl, and, of course, Maria—a story of love, hard work, and a vision to create something meaningful. As they look to the future, Maria's Superior Coffee remains true to its roots, dedicated to bringing people together, one cup at a time.
