The birth of RIAS Coffee began with an awakening by an ICU nurse. Founder Margaret Lee witnessed the fragility and resilience of countless lives during her 15-year nursing career, leading her to a profound realization—life should not be just about haste and exhaustion, but also about "the courage to pause and breathe." In 2014, during a trip, she encountered a coffee named "Lion King." Its rich fruity notes and layered complexity completely transformed her perception of coffee: "Coffee isn’t just bitter—it can be a moving fuel for the soul."

Back in Hong Kong, unable to find coffee of the same quality, she resolved to "roast her own." Starting with small experiments in her home kitchen and later moving to a modest space in Kwun Tong’s Camel Paint Building, Margaret’s coffee journey was not just about mastering a craft but also a path of self-healing. In 2020, she officially founded Rias Coffee Roastery Lab with two like-minded partners, turning her passion for coffee into a professional pursuit. In 2024, she clinched double championships at the Asia Roasting Competition and Taiwan Zheng Gang Cup, proving with her skills that "it’s never too late to start—only the regret of never trying."

The Science and Soul of Specialty Coffee

RIAS’s dedication to coffee is reflected in every detail. From meticulously sourcing premium beans worldwide to using an imported Agtron Meter for precise roast profiling; from being the exclusive distributor of Taiwan’s top-tier roasting machine brand "Loring" to hosting workshops with world-renowned coffee experts like Scott Rao—we believe "great coffee is where science and art intertwine."

But technique is just the foundation—the true essence lies in "people." The RIAS team holds multiple professional certifications (SCA, Q-grader, COE SET), yet we never let expertise create distance. At our Kwun Tong Roastery Lab, we welcome coffee enthusiasts to join roasting classes; at our Sai Kung café, we offer over 40 coffee varieties, ensuring every customer discovers their preferred flavor profile. As Margaret often says: "A barista’s role isn’t to educate customers, but to accompany them in uncovering their own taste story."