coffee in the UK

coffee in the uk pretty much sucks. one of the guys at Transcend (our coffee roastery), Josh, went on a tour around Europe last year and came back rather disappointed. In fact, even in the great cities around the world don't ooze brilliant coffee. Mel, a Haven and Transcend employee, last year was rather let down by her quest around New York to find a decent cup - a trad cappuccino just didn't exist! It seems that not enough people have the rather (unhealthy?) obsessive approach to coffee that we at cafe haven have learnt from Transcend.

I'm sad to say that since we arrived in the UK I do seem to find myself popping into every little cafe and coffee bar to see what they have for equipment and how they operate. In a few seconds you can pretty much judge the standards set at any establishment. Generally, they're dire. I had the horror of watching one neon teenager, expertly dose out a lovely heap of ground espresso and happily lock into the group head without any tamping: just loose coffee to swirl around with water. Better still, he then wait ages for someone to order a coffee before starting the shot. I think I physically shuddered.

But I found a ray of light.

I had the pleasure of finding in my old home town of Brighton a cafe called Red Roaster. When we arrived it was impressive to note that queue was almost to the door and later on the queue was out into the street, and I can understand why. They roast a great selection of coffees even using a board to display the current roast date of each coffee.

The espresso was okay but there is so much they could do from a technical point of view to improve upon it. But I'm not going to complain - I'm so happy to have found a place treating good coffee with the respect it deserves. So far, julie and I have tried four different coffees as cafetieres (french press): Bolivia Caranavi, El Salvador El Borbollon, Ethiopian Sidamo and a Costa Rica La Angostura, Tarrazu. My favourite was the El Salvador. Red Roaster's supporting tasting notes accurately reflected the citrus flavours that came across this delicious cup of coffee.

Other coffee news in this area of town was the brand new installed Starbucks just up the road has been aggressively boycotted by locals with even protesters outside the shop. There are so many lovely cafes around here the last thing Brightonians need is this chain breaking the character and charm of the street. Good to see it was empty when we walked by.

Next up is a place called coffee@33 and is supposed to be "real coffee made by real Italians". From the web I noted a La Marzocco Linea but little other information. It's all down to the coffee. I'll let you know!

Happy New Year!!