Coffee Tours: Harrogate

One difficulty with speciality coffee shops is finding them. They can be notoriously illusive and can be found in the most abstract of areas, so when you do hear/read/find one it's great!
I have to ask the question - what would a coffee addict do if they read an article about 3 speciality coffee shops in one area? I would guess they would do what any one else would do and visit all of them the day after, right? Maybe not.

This is what I found myself doing after reading the speciality coffee magazine 'Caffeine' whilst sat in Makushi Coffee in Lincoln. After reading the article 'Caffeine's Tour' written by coffee enthusiast Brian Williams who blogs about coffee shops all over the country. I felt compelled to visit Harrogate and experience what it has to offer!  

I set off from Lincoln after visiting my girlfriend at Uni and took the trip north to the spa town of Harrogate. First on the list of shops was Baltzersen's. Very conveniently situated in the centre of the town, it has seating out front in a sun trap perfect for the day's weather. The atmosphere was lively and busy. It is definitely a food orientated place which led me to get a home made apricot and mixed seed crumble with my flat white. The coffee was top quality, perfectly finished of with a 14 tier tulip. The espresso was well balanced and smooth which was very well complimented with the perfectly textured milk. I would recommend this quaint shop to anyone looking for a coffee fix as well as a spot of lunch. Quality coffee & food.
22 Oxford Street, HG1 1PU

Next on the tour was no more than a 5 minute walk away -  Bean & Bud. This shop is the longest standing speciality coffee shop in Harrogate and you get that sense once you walk in. They know what they are doing and they know how to make the perfect coffee. I ordered a flat white (my usual as you might have guessed by now) and I was asked which bean type I would like. This is how you know you are in the right place. 2 chalk boards with the descriptions of each option. I went for the Ethiopian Sidamo, I don't expect anyone to understand what this means because neither did I without the information that followed the name. Such as  -  the growing altitude, wash process, roasting and flavour.   My flat white went down like a treat. It was less bitter with sweet and floral hints which made a pleasant change to the usual bitter like after taste you do get from a coffee. Very pleased to have visited this iconic shop.
14 Commercial Street, HG1 1TY

Last but by no means least, Hoxton North. As you can imagine I was definitely caffeined up by this point. I found their shop which is placed in a very open and central area. The ambiance was thriving with great music just as you would want in a coffee shop. My flat white was served with a glass of water for afterwards. This coffee was powerful with a pleasant subtle, bitter taste which compliments the velvety milk texture. I would recommend this shop to anyone looking for great coffee and atmosphere in your day out in Harrogate. 
1 Royal Parade HG1 2SZ

I suppose the question is where is next for my Coffee Tour? 
                   

My Espresso Machine

My espresso machine. 

So as I plan to review coffee in the future I would say it would be a good idea to show everyone what coffee machine I use. 

Now, this is by no means a review. 

Reviews are boring, laborious and full of statistics that only the manufacturers understand. 

I am simply giving you my take on what I use. However I did scroll for hours on end reading all the reviews on the internet about this machine, (yay go me). I have a lot of spare time as you can imagine.

This is the 'Sage The Barista Express Espresso Machine and Grinder' 

Two simple statements: 1. It is pricey, 2. It is worth every penny.

I initially wanted to go for the version under this however my dad being my dad twisted my arm and hey presto I came out with this one. 

I've adjusted the grind size and temperatures for different types of coffee and it has never failed to make that perfect espresso extraction. There are a whole load of setting adjustments you can make which is great for experimenting. If you are like me when I first got this machine the standard settings are great for getting you started!

Extra features such as the single whole steam wand, matching knock box and hidden tray all complement this machine. 

The quality is excellent and the satisfaction from using it tops all else. 

If you really love espresso coffee and want to go it right this is the one. 

I can't wait to get started with some coffee reviews in the future!     

Real Fresh Coffee

Im pretty sure that most people will not understand the complex and extremely delicate journey that coffee actually takes. I for one was totally unaware before reading this book (which I have not yet finished) 'Real Fresh Coffee'. 

The book starts at the very beginning of the coffee's life and takes you through every aspect that is involved. Including its origins, the drying, roasting, brewing, and the whole culture of coffee right from history to the present. 

There is a phenomenal amount of information that is in this book. Reading it and understanding it is when you truly start to understand what goes in to the production of speciality coffee. 

 

The writers, Jeremy Torz and Steven Macatonia are able to talk you through how the origins of a particular coffee, whether it is Brazil or Kenya and how they taste different and explain why it is that it does taste that way. 

The infamous flavour wheel. I can openly say I do not understand where they get these flavours and 'aromatic characteristics' from, as it is described in the book. However I am learning and I am sure I will have that day when I, just get it! 

They have adopted the idea that coffee is like wine. If you go to a wine tasting you hear descriptions such as fruity and acidic. If you think of selecting wine you may select it on its different tastes (although the majority of the time its on cost, right?). 

This same descriptive context can be used for coffee beans depending on their origin and how they are grown and produced. Like I say there are hundreds of ways that this can be done. I am determined to be able to speak this alien language and understand the very complex and differing tastes that coffee can give.        

All the different variables that can cause the coffee to taste a particular way and the many different processes that it must go through to end up in your cup with a rich creamy milk to compliment it. 

As well as explaining every single step of where coffee comes from, how it is grown and the different steps that have to be undertaken there are many different guides and 'how to's' to help you produce the best coffee for yourself. 

For those who are not sure what the differences are from a Latte to a Macchiato (oh and by the way your Starbucks caramel macchiato is far far from the original macchiato). 

My favourite up to pres for me is the Flat White, it has the perfect ratio of milk to coffee plus its a slightly longer drink than my previous favour the Cortado. Try it out!

By far the most mainstream aspect of speciality coffee is the impressive coffee art. Managing to rest the textured milk on the crema (top) of the coffee in a satisfying pattern is extremely challenging and I commend all baristas who are able to repeat this skill coffee after coffee. 

For many the espresso is the only type of coffee that is known mainly because it is used all over the country in your main stream shops. However this is not the only brewing option and this book takes you through all the methods such as Pour over, Stove top Aeropress etc. 

Have I babbled on about how fantastic this book is for coffee lovers or like me addicts?

I hope this has informed you that there is a bigger and better world out there than your standard Costa.

If I were to compare your main stream coffee shops to the specialty coffee shops your Costa would be like Primark and your speciality shops would be Gucci. Not to mention how much more of a chilled and unique atmosphere you receive from a speciality coffee shop. 

Coffee Stash

I'm sure there are many people who have their very own coffee stash. A cupboard specifically for your speciality coffee. 

I certainly have. I may had overdone it on the quantity slightly as well.  

As I'm telling you about my coffee story i think it would only be polite to show you my personal coffee stash. These are not amazing one off speciality type coffees, no. They are simply different types of coffee i have accumulated. From visiting coffee shops and and other instances.  

So lets begin...  

Above is a very recent buy, so recent it hasn't been touch yet! From the popular Booths store, I previously had some beans from there so I look forward to trying these. 'Fruity acidity with notes of apple, orange and hints of floral jasmine is the description. As I have said in a previous post I wish to one day be able to pick out the intricate flavours but for now I think I will just enjoy the coffee. (flavour wheel research is needed!) 

Another famous name Square Mile, this being a seasonal blend with flavours of hazelnut, cherry, ganache and berry. This brand is associated with some big names in coffee from what I have read like James Hoffmann. I thought I should see what the hype was. Can I say pleasantly please, again I couldn't comment properly on the flavours but hey it was good coffee.

Coffika, small, local ish speciality coffee shop, and superb coffee! Situated in Medowhall Sheffield which I saw as a very unlikely place for a speciality coffee shop but they certainly proved me wrong!

I had an amazing experience at this shop. I will certainly be posting about it in the future because they really showed me what the coffee culture is. Simply fantastic seasonal blend and people at the shop!

 I was also given this pack of Workshop Kelloo. A friend had won a subscription but it turned out they didn't have a machine to actually use the coffee which gave are group a good chuckle. The description was of pineapple and orange blossom. I actually had a pleasant orange taste while sampling an espresso of this which was really lovely. It was very freshly roasted and smooth which is just what I like.  

Pact, now I am sure you must of heard of this speciality coffee supplier, right? This is the only coffee I have on subscription basis because I love it! It is high quality, super fresh and just so flavoursome. It appeals to me because the coffee is so consistently good. Every espresso is as tasteful and as smooth as the last. I initially was introduced to Pact and this coffee through a deal with my machine when I bought it and I have never looked back. The little card gives you information of where the coffee is grown and by who with all the different flavours. They seriously seem to be a step inform of the other speciality coffee companies. Ill be sticking with them for the foreseeable!

Union another coffee back I haven't even opened yet! Man I'm bad at buying it and then realising I already have a stack of coffee at home. With a good quality rating and some very sweet flavour descriptions I am certainly looking forward to trying this. Also with a strength of '6' i think it will give a good kick for those lousy afternoons.  

Coffee's above and below have got to be the coolest packaging I have come across. They were given to me as a gift. I couldn't find a quality score and haven't tried them much yet as i have had so much coffee to get through! I will have to drop a review at some point. 

I hope I haven't rambled on to much about my collection. It does end up growing nearly every other week which is both a good thing and bad thing probably (I just cant drink it quick enough). 

I hope to bring a coffee shop review next or a speciality coffee review, maybe from coffee as I have mentioned above. Also I would be grateful for any feedback or if you just want to drop in a hello to the contact box that would be cool.  

Until next time guys... 

1. 2. 3. Go

Lets start with me.

 

Who am I?

Matthew Shillings. 21. Male. Optimist.  

Occupationally I am an engineer, 

I am a relentless running junkie (which is probably fuelled by the coffee)

Also have a very intense fixation for Tesla and their ethos. 

Me and Coffee. 

I, like many do, saw coffee as a means to wake me up in the morning and to keep me going throughout the day.

I would think I was a coffee person because of all the Starbucks and Costas I would drink. 

Until i found a speciality coffee shop in the centre of Lincoln city called Coffee Aroma. Since then coffee has never really been the same. I found myself falling deeper and deeper into the culture of coffee. Learning more about it each time I found a new shop to visit.

After doing certain research I invested in my first espresso machine which I use every day without fail.

I have a Sage bean-to-cup espresso machine. After I received my first pack of beans from Pact I started to try out all different varieties of coffee from all over the world. This is when I first felt myself slipping in to this addiction to coffee and the culture. But, hey, whats wrong with that, right? 

I continued to try various types of beans. By now my family and friends have picked up on the fact that I love coffee and I ended up with many packs of coffee for Christmas and birthday presents. I am now the family's 'barista' but I would say I am far from that! Although I do take up every opportunity to make them a Flat white, Latte or Cortado. My ever failing attempts of coffee art will be perfected eventually (or so my optimistic side hopes so).  

I wish to learn the intricacies of coffee selection, beans, roasting as well as different drinking styles. Looking at flavour wheels sends my mind in to a downward spiral. How can coffee have so many different flavours? Im looking forward to finding out and discovering this other side to coffee including the culture.    

To conclude; I still have much to learn but, I want to share my learning, particularly coffees I find and coffee shops, with readers who are on the same path with coffee.