The Moroccan coffee house opens at SM Mall of Asia and Greenbelt 3, offering more than 200 varieties of 100% Arabica coffee, specialty brewing and an extensive retail collection.
Bacha Coffee, the Moroccan coffee house founded in Marrakech in 1910, has officially arrived in the Philippines with two destinations in Metro Manila: SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City and Greenbelt 3 in Makati City.
Bringing together a coffee bar, coffee boutique and takeaway service, the brand introduces Filipino coffee enthusiasts to a collection of more than 200 varieties of 100% Arabica specialty coffee sourced from 35 coffee-producing regions worldwide.
Originally established within Dar el Bacha, a historic palace in Marrakech, Bacha Coffee draws inspiration from Moroccan hospitality and traditional coffee preparation. Its Manila destinations reflect this heritage through distinctive interiors featuring geometric zellige patterns, black-and-white marble flooring, carved cedar wood details and polished brass accents.
The brand’s collection spans four categories: Single Origin, Fine Blended, Fine Flavoured and Naturally CO₂ Decaffeinated coffees, offering a range of flavour profiles and options for different preferences.
Exploring the world through coffee
For Maranda Barnes, Chief Commercial Officer of V3 Gourmet, a Singapore-based luxury gourmet and lifestyle group, who discussed the brand’s philosophy during its Philippine launch, the extensive collection is central to introducing consumers to the diversity of specialty coffee.
“We want to bring to the Philippines an understanding of specialty coffee,” she explained.
Rather than limiting customers to a few blends, Bacha Coffee encourages them to explore different origins and discover the characteristics of individual coffees. The collection includes selections from Africa, Asia, Central America, South America and other coffee-producing regions.
Barnes explained that the brand’s Coffee Masters help customers navigate the selection by asking about their preferences and recommending varieties that match their taste.
During the store tour, Barnes highlighted several coffees from Bacha Coffee’s extensive collection, including Cuban Turquino, Yemeni coffee and Indian Monsoon. Each offered a different profile for coffee enthusiasts to explore.
She described Indian Monsoon as one of the collection’s strongest chocolate-forward coffees, making it a recommendation for those who prefer rich, full-bodied flavours.
Barnes also introduced Cuban Turquino, drawing attention to its distinctive tobacco-like aroma. For the Yemeni coffee, she explained that the variety featured was dry-processed, with the harvested coffee cherries sun-dried before the beans are separated from the fruit. According to Barnes, this traditional method contributes to the coffee’s sweetness and complexity.
Her recommendations illustrated how coffee origin and processing can influence the aromas and flavours that distinguish one variety from another.
Barnes also highlighted an important distinction for coffee drinkers who equate strength with bitterness.
“It’s strong but not bitter,” she said, describing the balance that a well-prepared coffee can achieve.
She added that coffee appreciation is not limited to seasoned drinkers. People who prefer tea, for example, may discover an affinity for coffees with lighter, floral characteristics.
Traditional preparation, contemporary experience
At the Coffee Bar, guests can explore the collection with the guidance of Coffee Masters. In keeping with its traditional approach, Bacha Coffee does not serve espresso drinks. Instead, its coffee is prepared using a method inspired by the brand’s Moroccan heritage.
The brewing process uses a cotton filter rather than paper or metal. According to Barnes, cotton provides a balance between the two, allowing some of the coffee’s natural oils to pass through while filtering out excessive residue.
The method is intended to preserve flavour while producing a balanced texture, allowing guests to appreciate the differences among the varieties.
Coffee is served in the brand’s signature gold gooseneck pots, accompanied by freshly baked viennoiseries and desserts. Among the offerings available in the Philippines is the Soy-Marinated Chicken & Potato Croissant, created exclusively for the local market.
The SM Mall of Asia Coffee Bar accommodates up to 15 guests, while the Greenbelt 3 location seats up to eight.
For customers who prefer takeaway, coffees can be prepared hot or iced from the extensive selection. Each order is presented on a silver-toned designer tray with vanilla bean-flecked Chantilly cream, a raw sugar stick, a wooden spoon and a reusable glass straw.
The takeaway menu also includes signature filled sweet and savoury croissants and Bacha Coffee Tiramisu, featuring coffee jelly and Arabica-soaked biscuits served in an amber glass jar.
Coffee to enjoy and share
Beyond the Coffee Bar, the boutique offers a broad retail collection for customers who want to enjoy Bacha Coffee at home or give it as a gift.
The signature coffee wall features ochre-hued canisters containing the brand’s selection of specialty coffees. Customers can purchase beans by weight or have them ground by Coffee Masters according to their preferred brewing method.
The retail range includes the Signature Nomad collection, with selections such as Grand Moka Matari from Yemen and Blue Mountain Wallenford from Jamaica. Fine Flavoured varieties include 1910 Coffee, Milano Morning Coffee and I Love Paris Coffee.
Another option is the Coffee Bag Gift Box, available in collections of 12 or 25 individually packed drip coffee bags. Designed for convenience, these allow customers to prepare specialty coffee simply by adding hot water, without requiring a coffee machine.
The boutique also carries accessories from the Bacha Heritage Collection, crafted from bone china and decorated with the brand’s signature motifs. Gift hampers can combine coffee with biscuits, caramels, chocolate-covered coffee beans, scented candles and other gourmet selections. Complimentary note cards and gift wrapping are available.
For Barnes, these offerings also reflect the importance of placing coffee itself at the centre of the experience.
“Coffee should be the most important thing, actually. More than a machine.” she said.
The philosophy encourages consumers to consider the quality and character of the coffee they give, rather than focusing solely on the equipment used to prepare it.
Finding the right way to brew
Although Bacha Coffee follows a traditional preparation method at its Coffee Bar, Barnes noted that the ideal way to prepare coffee depends on the variety and the drinker’s preferences.
She explained that equipment, water quality and grind size all influence the finished cup. Different brewing methods can also bring out different aspects of a coffee’s character.
For home brewers, this means that selecting quality beans is only part of the process. Attention to preparation can help bring out the flavour profile of each variety.
The brand’s retail selection offers options for different levels of convenience, from whole beans and freshly ground coffee to drip bags that require minimal equipment.
Through its two Manila destinations, Bacha Coffee invites Filipino consumers to explore specialty coffee through its extensive collection, traditional preparation and range of retail offerings. Whether enjoyed at the Coffee Bar, prepared at home or shared as a gift, each variety offers another way to discover the diversity of 100% Arabica coffee.
