A New Zealander trained as a French chef, Kurt Stewart headed restaurants including Blacks and Mildred's before selling coffee from Rosendale Road as Full Steam Espresso. He rebranded the roasting side as Volcano Coffee Works in 2010 and still roasts the first batch each day on Loring roasters that use 80% less gas.
Farmers are paid 50 to 180% above fair trade prices, and carbon credits protect the Katingan Peatlands in Indonesia. The Mount Blend won three stars at the Great Taste Awards in 2022.