Overview

In every cup of great coffee lies a story — of farmers, roasters, baristas, and drinkers. Yet for all the rich culture behind Vietnamese coffee, there wasn’t a single platform that curated these stories with depth, elegance, and intention.

Aficionado set out to change that.

More than a website, Aficionado was envisioned as a digital magazine — a curated platform for professional baristas, roasters, café owners, and serious coffee lovers to gather, learn, and grow together. A space where Vietnam’s coffee scene could be celebrated and documented like an art form.

BeeKrowd was entrusted to design and develop that space.

The Vision

Aficionado wasn’t a brand trying to sell coffee.

It was a voice for those who brew it, love it, and live it.

They needed:

• A digital platform that feels like a modern magazine
• A flexible CMS for publishing interviews, reviews, and coffee deep-dives
• A space that’s professional, yet warm — serious, yet inspiring
• A hub where Vietnamese baristas can see their craft elevated to global standards

What We Built

A Magazine-Inspired Website

We designed the Aficionado site to feel like flipping through a beautifully curated journal — focused, editorial, and immersive.

• Grid-based layout inspired by coffee table publications
• Clear sections: People, Process, Places, Beans, Tools
• Longform storytelling with full-width photography, tasting charts, and video embeds
• Snappy category filters and featured reads on the homepage

CMS for the Editorial Team

To support consistent content production, we built a custom headless CMS setup:

• Writers and editors can easily publish articles, schedule features, and assign tags
• Each post supports custom media, quote blocks, tasting notes, and related links
• Built-in SEO and social preview tools for better distribution

The result: a publishing system as smooth and precise as a well-pulled shot.

Designed for the Coffee Community

Aficionado isn’t just read — it’s shared, discussed, and bookmarked.

• Fully responsive design for mobile reading and social sharing
• Integrated newsletter signup and member area for exclusive content
• Featured baristas, café owners, and regional coffee profiles — all in both English and Vietnamese

Why It Matters

In a market dominated by quick tips and Instagram photos, Aficionado chose a slower, more intentional path — one that honors the craftsmanship behind every cup.

This platform now helps:

• Baristas showcase their work beyond the counter
• Readers explore Vietnam’s specialty coffee scene with depth and clarity
• Brands and cafés connect with a more engaged, informed audience

Aficionado is now more than a website — it's a living archive of Vietnam’s coffee evolution.