THE WHISKY ISSUE
TO ITALIANS DRINKING CAPPUCCINO AFTER 11AM IS SACRILEGE. IT’S A MORNING DRINK! NOT THAT IT’S STOPPING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE FROM ORDERING A MILK-FROTH TOPPED COFFEE ANY TIME OF THE DAY – OR ANY OTHER KIND OF COFFEE FOR THAT MATTER.
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offee. Decades ago South Africans used to enjoy it out of a can or a glass jar. Often it contained a high proportion of chicory too. Information is king. No longer are we satisfied knowing that it’s French Roast or Italian or Costa Rican. No, we want to know if it’s Fairtrade certified and whether the beans were grown at a particular altitude on a north-facing slope! Perhaps that’s a bit of an exaggeration but coffee shops used to be places you went for a cup of coffee. The modern coffee shop is more than somewhere caffeine is served in latte, espresso, macchiato or cappuccino form: they’re almost second offices with many a business meeting taking place – or interviews – or a great place to work undisturbed utilising free Wi-Fi. Being able to enjoy good coffee and even buy freshly roasted beans to take home is a bonus. And then there’s the frothy art … who doesn’t like the fact that a barista has drawn a heart, fern leaf or swan in the foam? It’s a trend that shows no sign of waning. South Africans love coffee. In May, Winston Thomas of Cape Town’s Origin coffee roasters was adjudged the country’s champion Barista with TriBeCa Coffee’s Harry Mole and Khulekani Mpala in second and third place respectively. So, when you’re seeking a truly great caffeine fix where are the best places to visit?