Ayae is our head roaster. Originally from Japan, Ayae has been living in Norway since 2013. She has always enjoyed flavor and expanding her palate, whether it’s been in becoming a sake sommelier, or learning how to make her own sourdough. This passion for flavor, coupled with a desire to understand Norwegian language and culture, led Ayae to the coffee world in 2014.

By 2018, Ayae was roasting - attracted to the process by the desire to learn how to draw out the flavors herself. She has now been managing the department since 2019, and finds joy in being part of the intricate chain of hands the coffee beans travel through on their way to the consumer. Ayae thinks of Lille Oslo Kaffebrenneri as an opportunity for everyone to learn and grow. She enjoys challenging people’s perceptions of what coffee can be, while still taking note of their specific tastes and preferences. It is a delicate balance Ayae loves to explore, which is also one of the things that endears her to this company. “Something I love about our concept,” Ayae says, “is that it’s so inclusive. We don’t just serve what we like - we try to have a broad variety and really have something for everyone. We are coffee nerds that want to include you. Everyone has different preferences, and we can be approachable and tailor their personal experience.” Ayae’s go-to coffee is a washed Ethiopian because of its floral notes and buttery mouthfeel.