BEAN THERE, DONE THAT

CAFÉ SOCIETY

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.

Coffee. 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?

JOHANNESBURG

COFFEE CAFÉ SOCIETY

DOUBLESHOT COFFEE & TEA ADDRESS: 15 Juta St and Melle St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg HOURS: 8.30am to 5.30pm PHONE: 011 100 5241 Coffee and tea run in the veins of the folks who own Doubleshot. The idea behind the establishment of this popular spot on the corner of Juta and Melle Streets in Braamfontein was to showcase what’s possible going from bean (and leaf!) to cup. Alex Kay is a third generation of tea and coffee growers from Malawi while Alain Rosa is a top-notch tea blender and coffee roaster. They have even given their roasters names: Mini-me for sample batches and Luigi for the big stuff, seven kilos of beans at a time.

Expect the unexpected since they’re always experimenting with flavour. Nothing boring here with a range of methods of preparation too. (Think Aeropress or siphon.) But you’re safe in their expert hands. Relaxed and unpretentious, Doubleshot was one of Joburg’s originals and remains one to seek out for an excellent cup of java or chai. BEAN THERE COFFEE COMPANY ADDRESS: 111 Smit Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg and 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg HOURS: Mon – Fri: 7.30am to 4pm, Sat: 9am to 3pm, Sun: 9am to 12 PHONE: 087 310 3100 South Africa’s first Fairtrade certified coffee supplier, Bean There is all about ethics and wanting to make a difference in the lives of bean growers in Africa. They have personally travelled the continent making contact with growers in Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia and Kenya.

It’s more than just a coffee shop. You can buy beans, coffee machines, home brewing equipment and filters … everything you might need for a perfect cup of coffee. Bean There’s Milpark venue doubles as a coffee training school and many a local barista has learned the ropes of grinding, pressure, milk temperature and more through them.

Its Milpark digs are light and airy with funky lampshades hung over the counter while a bicycle graces a wall right next to a roaster which gives off heavenly seductive aromas while the beans are being heated and processed. The coffee is top notch as one would expect. A speciality of theirs are coffee cupping evenings with knowledge happily shared with fellow enthusiasts. FATHER COFFEE ADDRESS: 73 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg and The Zone, 177 Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg. HOURS: Braamfontein – Mon – Fri: 8am to 4pm, Sat: 8.30am to 4pm Rosebank – Mon – Fri: 7am to 6pm, Sat 9am to 6pm, Sun 9am to 4pm PHONE: 082 513 4258 Flooring takes on an intriguing décor nuance on the walls of Father Coffee in the form of wooden planks artfully arranged in a herringbone pattern, a copper tubing frame above the bar and big balls of suspended leafy plants. But it makes a great backdrop for the host of folks sitting at the tables, laptops open and working while sipping on freshly-brewed coffee. It’s all about attention to detail, from the roasting of their own beans (which are also available fresh to take home) to their custom-made cups which fit the palm of one’s hand beautifully.

As Stacey-Lee wrote on their Facebook page: “Delicious coffee, and the guys behind the counter know what they’re talking about. Love the clean, simplistic feel of the coffee shop with the light wood panels. Very cool over-all.” Or this from Tobias, a foreign visitor to SA: “It is one of the best coffee places we visited in SA. I had an amazing brew coffee (with beans from Rwanda) made with the Aeropress – and this was only the second good brew coffee I got during the whole trip!”

AFRICABLACK ROASTERY & ESPRESSO BAR ADDRESS: New Market Road, North Riding, Johannesburg HOURS: Mon – Fri: 6.30 to 5.30pm, Sat: 7 to 2pm PHONE: 011 462 2443 One of the biggest plus points of this popular spot in North Riding is that it opens early – 6.30am or as Robin Williams said in Good Morning Vietnam: “Oh-six-hundred hours … Omigod that’s early!”

As one customer, Diederick wrote when reviewing the place; “An overall impression of tranquillity. Surprising, as it is situated alongside a major arterial road and in a semiindustrial area. Cool decor, no music and people quietly going about their meetings and business. Exactly what’s required for morning coffee and breakfast.” So what about the coffee which is its main focus? Beans are sourced from Rainforest Alliance Farms – proudly African. Baristas here are well trained and skilled, and boast some top titles. Try the special Arabica blend. There’s also a wholesale operation roasting and supplying beans.

Staff are happy to go the extra mile. As one content customer Rozelle noted, food’s always fresh and tasty and the team are happy to deliver emergency cappuccinos directly to the office in an emergency!

COFFEE CAFÉ SOCIETY

DURBAN

THIS EAST COAST CITY HAS A GROWING COFFEE CULTURE AND IS EVEN HOME TO THE COUNTRY’S PREMIER MAGAZINE ABOUT COFFEE, NOW DISTRIBUTED TO MORE THAN 200 OUTLETS NATIONWIDE. FOR YEARS COLOMBO WAS THE ONLY REAL SPECIALIST BUT THAT’S NO LONGER THE CASE WITH A HOST OF OTHER GREAT VENUES HAVING OPENED UP.

BEAN GREEN COFFEE ROASTERY ADDRESS: 147 Helen Joseph Road, Durban HOURS: Mon – Fri: 7am to 5pm, Sat: 8am to 12pm PHONE: 031 201 8122 Regulars describe this place as “relaxing” while some others consider it quirky. On Durban’s Berea, in the foodie belt in and around the Davenport area, it was started by father and daughter team of Peter and Mel Winter (who is also such a coffee nut that she is also the editor of Coffee magazine!).

Beans are organic, roasted on the premises and in small batches to ensure optimum freshness and flavour. Food is ranked right up there with the coffee and the pastries and sandwiches are super fresh and tasty.

As Ncedile wrote: “This place is cosy, always good music and friendly baristas. The coffee overall is great, baristas well trained and consistent. The clincher is the ambiance, laid back music that is not excessively loud and Wi-Fi that allows good productivity. This is one of Durban’s best.” COLOMBO COFFEE ADDRESS: 59 Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North, Durban HOURS: Mon – Fri: 6am to 5pm, Sat: 7am to 2pm, Sun: 8am to 2pm PHONE: 031 205 3283 The gritty surrounds of Gale Street and “Slumbilo” used to be where Colombo could be found. These days the far more salubrious surrounds of Kensington’s restaurant strip are home to one of Surf City’s favourite coffee spots.

Cyclists are long gone before the mums doing the morning school run stop in. Beans are freshly roasted after being sourced from South and Central America as well as African producers. There’s a range of their own coffee available for purchase, along with the regular kit.

They love the fact that consumers are really clued up on their coffee and take an interest in how it’s made. They’re only too happy to engage with their clients over the merits of different beans or a café latte versus macchiato or Aeropress versus domestic pod systems. As Zaheer said in a review: “What a great little coffee place. The coffee itself is quality, the kind that doesn’t require sugar. They offer a few readymade food items like sandwiches – also pretty good. Friendly service too.” LINEAGE ADDRESS: Shop 2, Builders Way Centre, 3 and 5 Builders Way Road, Hillcrest PHONE: 031 035 0872 It’s a little inland from Durban but well worth the drive up to Hillcrest – and many is the coffee fan who happily makes the pilgrimage. Started five years ago by a former SA champion barista Craig Charity, the quality of their coffee and beans is not in question.

Manning the machines are baristas Charity has trained: Mfanafuthi Zibula and Fani Myeza who also does the roasting – and likens it to “being in heaven with the angels!”

Heavenly choruses are what devotees of perfectly roasted beans and great coffee hear when visiting this airy space. Don’t miss out on the ethically sourced and as organic as possible deli items which are also available from Lineage. IWANTMYCOFFEE (IWMC) ADDRESS: Shop 1, Mayfair on the Lake, Cnr Park Lane and Park Drive, Umhlanga HOURS: Mon – Fri: 6.30am to 5pm, Sat: 9am to 2pm PHONE: 031 566 5584 Umhlanga Rocks sprawls languidly just a few kilometres from downtown Durban. Known for years as a holiday destination, it’s now a foodie – and coffee – destination too.

Started by Just Jinjer singer Ard Mathews and photographer Deborah Good in 2013 it’s now the property of Capitol Caterers who are just as adamant as Mathews and Good that great coffee is the most important thing in life.

Ethiopian beans are their speciality – as is a naturally occurring decaf coffee. Airy and bright with shared tables and a funky blackboard wall at one end, the swift and efficient baristas operating the machine with bangs of tampers and hisses of steam spouts provide the backing track.

Don’t forget to try the choc-chip cookies and the lunch offerings are good too. As Yathir said: “Trendy spot. Love the coffee and atmosphere,” while Pooven praised the staff: “The people live coffee! Head barista Sam has a wealth of coffee knowledge. You feel imbibed in the spirit of IWMC ...”

CAPE TOWN

COFFEE CAFÉ SOCIETY

“I didn’t know there was so much to know about coffee! The coffee menu is extensive and covers every method of coffee preparation out there.”

TRUTH COFFEE ROASTING ADDRESS: 36 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town HOURS: Mon – Fri, 7am to 6pm; Sat: 8am to 6pm, Sun: 8am to 2pm PHONE: 021 200 0440 David Donde is the godfather of coffee in the city. He and a partner started Origin in De Waterkant and he then moved on to start up Truth in Buitenkant, the funky venue that’s more like an active art installation than a mere coffee shop!

Its steampunk installation and costumed waitrons don’t distract at all from the quality of the brew – made from freshly roasted beans. It’s been named both The World’s Best AND The World’s Coolest coffee shop.

It’s the place where the flat white becomes something celestial in its Resurrection Blend form while the Battle Brew is enough to have java lovers slaying dragons – or at least climbing into a mountain of work and nailing that distant deadline!

Here’s what Nicole had to say: “Don’t you just love it when meetings are situated in the perfect location, especially at a place that has some of the best coffee and breakfast in Cape Town? The service, the Flat White and the Mushroom Bruschetta was so on point this morning, I cannot wait to come by again and try the other gems that are available!”

MISCHU THE COFFEE SHOWROOM ADDRESS: 85 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town. HOURS: Mon – Fri: 7am to 6pm, Sat and Sun, 8am to 6pm PHONE: 072 563 8090 Caffeine fans on the popular Atlantic Seaboard side of Cape Town needn’t go far for one of the best coffees around. On Sea Point’s main drag, Regent Road, is Mischu, The Coffee Showroom started in 2012 by Mickael Bou Rjeily – Mischu to his mates and everyone else. Service is always friendly and every cup is genuinely handed over with a smile – but they take their coffee seriously at Mischu. It’s why Mischu won the bragging rights to Best Espresso and Best Cappuccino in the Cape Town Barista Awards in 2012 – and then went on to take the national Cappuccino crown the same year.

Few things can rival a superlative cup of coffee, freshly brewed from great beans and made with skill and great care. And if you want to just chill out for a while, they offer board games too.

“Just go there,” said Heleen. “Experience it. Lovely coffee, great vibe. Best part? So many dog lovers come past and grab a cup of coffee, so I get to meet so many new furry friends!”

And Taro wrote in a review: “The Wi-Fi is pretty good and more than anything the staff is friendly. Happiness always makes me smile! For a hot day definitely try the Cafe Freezo. They also make all of their baked goods in-house and won’t disappoint.” ORIGIN COFFEE ROASTING ADDRESS: 28 Hudson St, De Waterkant, Cape Town HOURS: Mon – Fri: 7am to 5pm, Sat: 8am to 3pm, Sun: 9am to 2pm PHONE: 021 421 1000 As mentioned, this was the original place which Joel Singer started with David Donde in 2006 in its refurbished former warehouse space in Hudson Street in De Waterkant, becoming part of the urban regeneration into one of the city’s funkiest places.

Its walls used to be lined with hessian sacks of coffee beans which were then roasted on site. When Donde hived off to start Truth, Singer expanded and Origin now boasts six outlets nationwide and a booming wholesale business in roasted beans.

What hasn’t changed is the care taken over each cup of coffee; from the beans to the latte art on the froth. And they take passing on the gospel of coffee seriously too, training baristas to hone their skills and then go out into the world, preaching java and caffeine! As one reviewer wrote: “Cool and spacious interior. I met the owner who’s passionate and very knowledgeable on what quality coffee should be. It was actually a learning experience. Their teas are also very good. Perfect for a break or a quick breakfast to start the day with quality coffee.” Chris wrote much the same thing: “First impressions, I didn’t know there was so much to know about coffee! The coffee menu is extensive and covers every method of coffee preparation out there and there is a vast selection.”