Not many specialty coffee roasters launch after a Kickstarter campaign raises more than CA$81,000 from nearly 700 supporters.

But September Coffee Company was never meant to be a typical coffee roastery.

And Kyle and Natasha Rowsell were never typical coffee professionals.

What they built in Ottawa is one of the most fascinating stories in modern Canadian specialty coffee:
a micro-roastery born from obsession, education, curiosity, and an unusually personal connection to coffee culture.

Before September Coffee existed, Kyle Rowsell was already known online among specialty coffee enthusiasts through educational brewing content, coffee reviews, and approachable tutorials that helped thousands of home brewers improve their coffee at home.

What started as passion eventually became a full-time career.

And in 2022, that passion officially became September Coffee Company.

Today, the Ottawa-based micro-roastery has developed a loyal following not only across Canada, but internationally — with coffees featured in subscription boxes, specialty coffee communities, and curated retailers throughout North America and Europe.

Now, Canadian coffee lovers can explore September Coffee Company directly through Speciality Coffee.

Looking for more specialty coffee guides, roaster discoveries, and rare coffee stories? Visit the All About Speciality Coffee Blog.

Who Are Kyle and Natasha Rowsell?

Kyle Rowsell’s journey into specialty coffee began the same way it begins for many passionate coffee enthusiasts:
through a single unforgettable cup.

After trying an Ethiopian coffee with vibrant blueberry notes at a specialty café, coffee suddenly became something much larger than a daily routine.

That moment triggered years of experimentation and self-directed learning:

• brewing techniques,
• grinders,
• extraction theory,
• roasting knowledge,
• sensory analysis,
• and home coffee equipment.

Like many deeply curious coffee enthusiasts, Kyle became obsessed with understanding how coffee actually works.

Before launching September Coffee, he created educational coffee content through:

• a blog called Brew at Home,
• Instagram,
• and eventually YouTube.

His approachable teaching style and honest reviews quickly attracted a growing audience of home brewers looking to improve their coffee knowledge without overly complicated industry jargon.

During the pandemic, interest in home brewing exploded globally.

Millions of people suddenly wanted to:

• make café-quality coffee at home,
• learn espresso,
• improve pour-over brewing,
• and understand specialty coffee.

Kyle’s educational content found the perfect audience at the perfect time.

Meanwhile, Natasha’s background combined competitive dance and pastoral work, bringing creativity, discipline, and strong community values into the company’s foundation.

Together, Kyle and Natasha made the decision to leave their previous careers entirely and build something deeply personal:
a specialty coffee roastery centered around curiosity, quality, and storytelling.

Why the Name “September”?

The name “September” carries deeply personal meaning for the Rowsell family.

September is connected to:

• important family milestones,
• moments of joy,
• moments of grief,
• and the beginning of the company itself.

Their oldest child was born in September.
They experienced a miscarriage in September.
They met in September.
The company was founded in September.
Their first wholesale roast happened in September.

Rather than choosing a trendy coffee name or overly technical branding, they chose something meaningful and human.

That emotional authenticity is part of what makes September Coffee feel different from many modern specialty coffee brands.

A True Ottawa Micro-Roastery

September Coffee Company operates as a genuine micro-roastery.

This matters more than many people realize.

In specialty coffee, smaller roasting operations often allow:

• tighter quality control,
• more intentional sourcing,
• smaller seasonal releases,
• and highly individualized roast development.

Kyle and Natasha remain closely involved in every part of the process:

• sourcing,
• roasting,
• cupping,
• packaging,
• and coffee selection.

The company roasts on a Loring S15 Falcon — one of the most respected specialty coffee roasting systems in the industry.

Loring roasters are known for:

• roasting precision,
• thermal consistency,
• cleaner roasting environments,
• and excellent control over flavor clarity.

This roasting system aligns perfectly with September’s philosophy:
preserving sweetness, transparency, and origin character without unnecessary roast interference.

Sourcing Philosophy and Producer Relationships

September Coffee’s sourcing philosophy is rooted in transparency and intentionality.

Whenever possible, the company works directly with producers or through import partners that prioritize:

• traceability,
• sustainability,
• fair pricing,
• and long-term producer relationships.

The coffees themselves are selected based on one simple principle:

Kyle and Natasha roast coffees they personally love drinking.

That may sound simple, but it creates a highly curated lineup where every coffee feels intentional rather than commercially optimized.

Their sourcing frequently focuses on:

• high-quality microlots,
• expressive single origins,
• modern processing methods,
• and producers pushing coffee quality forward.

This approach helped September Coffee earn recognition within the specialty coffee community, including being named among Roastful’s Top 100 Coffee Roasters.

The Shower Series: Bright, Expressive, and Adventurous

One of the most interesting aspects of September Coffee is its clear roasting philosophy divided into two distinct coffee lines.

The first is the Shower Series.

This series represents September’s most expressive and adventurous coffees.

These coffees are roasted lightly and intentionally to maximize:

• clarity,
• acidity,
• florals,
• fruit expression,
• and origin transparency.

The Shower Series often includes:

• washed Ethiopian coffees,
• fruit-forward naturals,
• honey-processed lots,
• and highly expressive Colombian coffees.

Flavor notes may include:

• tropical fruits,
• berries,
• florals,
• citrus,
• tea-like textures,
• and layered sweetness.

The series is especially designed for:

• V60,
• Chemex,
• AeroPress,
• and modern filter brewing.

September is also refreshingly honest about this style:
they openly acknowledge that highly expressive light roasting is not for everyone.

That honesty has helped build strong trust within specialty coffee communities.

The Storm Series: Sweetness, Body, and Balance

The second roasting line is the Storm Series.

While still modern in style, the Storm Series is developed slightly further to create:

• more body,
• more sweetness,
• better milk compatibility,
• and easier espresso extraction.

These coffees remain delicate compared to traditional commercial dark roasts, but they provide:

• greater texture,
• more solubility,
• and richer mouthfeel.

One of their best-known coffees, Cloudburst, was specifically developed for espresso and milk drinks.

Flavor notes often include:

• molasses,
• caramel,
• graham cracker,
• milk chocolate,
• and long sweet finishes.

This two-series philosophy is extremely smart because it simplifies one of specialty coffee’s biggest challenges:
matching coffee style to personal preference.

Instead of thinking only in terms of “light roast” or “dark roast,” September asks a more useful question:

Are you a Shower or Storm coffee drinker?

What to Expect in the Cup

Across both roasting series, September coffees consistently emphasize:

• sweetness,
• clarity,
• cleanliness,
• and silky texture.

Kyle’s background as a coffee educator becomes obvious in how coffees are presented and described.

The tasting notes are:

• precise,
• realistic,
• and educational,
  rather than exaggerated marketing language.

September’s coffees frequently feature:

• Pink Bourbon varieties,
• Ethiopian landraces,
• washed Colombians,
• naturally processed coffees,
• and carefully selected high-altitude lots.

These are coffees designed for people who genuinely enjoy paying attention to what they are tasting.

For filter brewing enthusiasts, the Shower Series often delivers the most exciting experience.

For milk-based espresso drinks, the Storm Series offers greater balance and comfort without losing specialty coffee complexity.

Why September Coffee Matters in Canadian Specialty Coffee

One of the most impressive aspects of September Coffee is how quickly it built an international reputation.

Unlike many specialty coffee brands, the company did not emerge through:

• major coffee competitions,
• investor funding,
• or industry insider networks.

Its reputation was built through:

• educational content,
• transparency,
• roasting quality,
• and authenticity.

That combination is increasingly rare.

September Coffee also fills an important gap within Canadian specialty coffee:
showing that exceptional roasting is not limited to Toronto, Montreal, or Calgary.

Ottawa’s specialty coffee scene has historically remained smaller than other major Canadian cities, but companies like September are helping redefine that perception.

Discover September Coffee Company in Canada

Canadian coffee enthusiasts can now explore rotating seasonal coffees from September Coffee Company directly through Speciality Coffee.

The collection regularly features:

• Shower Series releases,
• Storm Series coffees,
• seasonal single origins,
• and limited microlots selected by Kyle and Natasha.

Whether you enjoy:

• bright filter coffees,
• balanced espresso,
• or modern specialty roasting,
  September Coffee offers one of the most thoughtful and authentic coffee experiences currently available in Canada.

Explore the collection here:
Shop September Coffee Company

FAQ — September Coffee Company

Who owns September Coffee Company?

September Coffee Company was founded by Kyle and Natasha Rowsell, an Ottawa-based couple with backgrounds in coffee education, content creation, and community work.

What is September Coffee known for?

September Coffee is known for:

• expressive light-roasted coffees,
• transparent sourcing,
• educational coffee culture,
• and its two roasting lines: Shower Series and Storm Series.

What is the difference between Shower Series and Storm Series?

The Shower Series focuses on bright, expressive, fruit-forward coffees designed mainly for filter brewing. The Storm Series offers more sweetness, body, and balance for espresso and milk drinks.

Is September Coffee good for filter brewing?

Yes. September Coffee is especially respected among V60, Chemex, and AeroPress enthusiasts because of its clarity and transparent roast development.

Where can I buy September Coffee in Canada?

You can explore September Coffee Company directly through Speciality Coffee.

Does September Coffee offer single-origin coffees?

Yes. September Coffee frequently releases high-quality single-origin coffees, microlots, and seasonal offerings from producers around the world.