Bruce Manning is the coffee aficionado behind BruStar,
a local company that’s all about great flavour.
Bruce’s passion for coffee was first sparked on the scenic Balearic Islands of Spain, where he was working on a yacht in the early 90s. One evening, during a stroll through the island’s quaint villages, a local woman offered him a cortado – a short, strong espresso served with a splash of milk. Hesitant at first, he took a sip and was instantly hooked. “It was a spectacular cup of coffee and I fell in love at that moment,” he says, with a smile.
At that time, South Africa had little exposure to true coffee culture. Spain, however, introduced him to a world where coffee was an art form and an essential part of social life. He spent the next five years there, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of coffee, and learning the craft and complexity of the perfect cup.
Years later, Bruce returned to South Africa with a vision to make high-quality coffee accessible and bring that European dedication to flavour to our shores. After initially working with TriBeCa, the coffee company that supplies the Woolworths cafés, he launched his own brand, supplying independent coffee shops throughout Durban and the Midlands, and eventually expanding into Gauteng.
Fully committed to his craft, Bruce has also earned accolades in barista competitions around the world, becoming the most competed baristas globally. Over a decade on the competition circuit, he proudly represented South Africa, winning the KZN Barista Champion and placing among the nation’s top five.
Bruce’s roastery at Sugar Rush in Ballito, which he opened just six months ago, is built around a striking 1950s cast iron roaster – a steampunk-inspired machine that not only roasts the beans but embodies the artisanal spirit behind his brand. This unique setup allows Bruce and his team to maintain exceptional standards, ensuring that each roast is rich, flavourful, and crafted with care.
Beyond the business, Bruce’s scholarly approach to coffee continues to drive innovation. Currently, he’s researching the “lipid fraction” in coffee beans, a concept similar to the marbling in premium cuts of meat. “Good coffee has a certain marbling,” he explains, “that’s where the richness is.”
A true coffee geek, Bruce loves sharing his knowledge with others. Coffee lovers are welcome to pop in to his laid-back space at Sugar Rush, where it’s possible to see his unique wood-fired cast iron roaster in action, enjoy a cup and take home a bag (or two) of beans.
Details: BruStar Coffee Company, Sugar Rush Park, Esenembe Road, Ballito;
IG: @brustarcoffee; bruce@brustar.co.za
