The Story
Moonshine Coffee Roasters was founded in 2018 by Zenki Ho, an SCA-certified instructor and competition coach who would go on to win the 2023 Hong Kong Brewers Cup Championship . The name evokes something crafted privately and with care, a nod to the artisanal spirit that drives every batch leaving their roastery in Taipei’s Da’an District . Zenki co-founded the brand with Regina, and together they set out to bring the clarity-focused coffee culture they experienced in Melbourne to Taiwan’s specialty scene .
Before launching Moonshine, Zenki built an impressive resume that bridged the competition and education worlds of specialty coffee . He worked in a major Australian specialty coffee factory, gaining deep experience in large-scale roasting operations before returning to Asia . His roles as a World Cup regional competition coach and SCA certification instructor gave him both the technical foundation and the teaching mentality that would define Moonshine’s approach to every cup .
The roastery operates from its flagship location on Dunhua South Road in the Da’an District, a space that functions as both a cafe and a working roastery where customers can watch the roasting process firsthand . Moonshine has earned a reputation among Taipei’s specialty coffee enthusiasts for its meticulous approach to light roasting and its rotating menu of expressive single origins . The brand has also expanded its reach through online sales and partnerships with specialty retailers across Asia .
Sourcing & Relationships
Moonshine’s sourcing philosophy centers on micro-lot single origins selected from estates around the world . Nearly every lot the roastery works with is a micro-lot, reflecting Zenki’s belief that smaller, more carefully managed harvests produce coffees with greater clarity and distinction . The team cups extensively before committing to any green coffee, applying the same rigorous evaluation standards that Zenki honed through years of SCA instruction and competition coaching .
The sourcing program spans celebrated growing regions across East Africa, Central America, and South America, with seasonal rotations that keep the menu fresh and exploratory . Zenki’s network, built through competition circuits and his time in Australia, gives Moonshine access to exceptional lots that might otherwise be difficult for a smaller Taipei-based roaster to secure . Transparency and traceability are priorities, with each offering accompanied by detailed origin information and processing notes .
Roasting Philosophy
Moonshine roasts on a Loring S7, an American-made fully hot-air roaster with a patented afterburner design and recirculating hot-air system that produces remarkably clean, smokeless roasts . The Loring’s precision and consistency align perfectly with Zenki’s light-roast approach, allowing the roasting team to develop delicate flavor compounds without introducing any roast-driven smokiness or char . Each batch is meticulously monitored to ensure optimal development, with small batch sizes that prioritize quality over volume .
The house style leans decidedly light, optimized for filter and pour-over brewing where origin character can be fully expressed . Zenki’s competition background is evident in the precision of the profiles, which aim for maximum sweetness and clarity while preserving the bright acidity and floral aromatics that define great light roasts . The result is a cup style that feels both technically refined and genuinely expressive, a reflection of Moonshine’s dual identity as a competition-driven and hospitality-focused brand .
What to Try
The seasonal micro-lot single origins are Moonshine’s calling card, rotating throughout the year as new harvests arrive and are profiled on the Loring . These offerings span a range of origins and processing methods, from washed Ethiopian florals to honey-processed Central American lots with stone fruit sweetness . Each release is a snapshot of what Zenki and the team found most compelling during their cupping sessions .
For those seeking the highest tier, Moonshine’s competition-level reserve coffees showcase the same caliber of lots that Zenki has used in championship preparation . The house blend offers a more consistent entry point, balanced for daily drinking while still reflecting the roastery’s commitment to light, clean roasting . Online ordering through the Moonshine website makes it easy to explore the current menu, with beans roasted fresh and shipped across Taiwan and to select international destinations .