Coffee Shop Gems in North West, South Africa
I love the fact that there are very few coffee chains in South Africa. People make a living by trying to be more unique that the next person down the road. The result? Gems!
Life, with Clotted Cream
An ordinary life with a dusting of luxury.
Top 5 tips for a GREAT cup of coffee
For many a good cuppa can solve most of life’s problems. It doesn’t matter if the drinker prefers herbal tea, black tea, green tea or one of the many aromatic coffees out there.
As a South African I had little trouble in understanding this British culture of ‘tea-drinking-problem-solving’ habits as we ourselves refer to coffee as ‘boeretroos’ (meaning a ‘farmer’s comfort’). For me a good cup of coffee need to make me feel like I want to burst with happiness. For me it is not something to quench my thirst or do when I’m tired of walking around the shops; no. A good cup of coffee has to be an experience. A taste sensation. It has to make me feel like I can conquer anything that life throws at me.
My top five tips for an out of this world cup of coffee:
- Beans
Pick your beans carefully. I once bought a coffee subscription for my (then boyfriend, now) husband. Each month we were spoilt with freshly roasted coffee beans from all over the world. These beans were from fair trade farms and roasted on the day of packing and shipping. I remember how excited we got with every delivery. We would press the ‘smell me’ air vent on the back of the pack and try to smell the fruity notes or chocolaty undertone that has been in the description box.
- Brew
I love a slow brew: The type of brew that fills your house and nostrils with its aroma and invites you to savour every delicious breath of coffee-filled oxygen. We are fortunate enough to own three coffee machines (long story, perhaps I’ll tell you about it in the future!) in our house and it is as if all five my senses are clapping hands the moment one of them gets switched on for a freshly brewed cup of boeretroos.
- Temperature
There is nothing worse than a scalding from someone/something you love. Coffee is one of them. I like the warm liquid to embrace my insides with comfort; like a blanket that has been freshly tumble-dried and wrapped around your cold feet on a wintry evening.
- Milk
Every brew lends itself to whether or not it wants milk. Some are begging for a good splash of milk and others are best to leave without the white foamy froth. I remember the first time I had a latte. It was served as a half-full glass of hot milk with a shot of espresso on the side. As I was only 12, I had no idea what to make of this weird drink. I could not resist the velvet smell of the robust espresso and I couldn’t see myself pouring the liquid gold into the glass of milk, afraid that I would ruin the taste. I therefore continue to sip the bitter espresso alternating with sips of milk to clear my palate ready for the next mouthful of coffee heaven.
- Environment
Whether I take a coffee to go or sit down in my local coffee shop and do some people watching, I make sure to allow the experience of having my cuppa to transport me to a world that only belongs to me. Even if it is just for a moment.
For me coffee brings memories back. It transports me to a world that is peaceful and relaxed. It makes me feel like I can do anything.
How does your cup of Joe make you feel? Let me know in the comments below!
If you liked this, why not read:
An amazing upside-down day in London
I love London. I’ve lived here for 9 years, 6 months and 12 days; I’m still not tired of London. Every time I venture out into the city I stumble across a new little find.
Wow! A Year Already?!
Today a year ago we officially got married. To celebrate the fact that we probably both deserve a medal for putting up with each other, we decided to do so in style.
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I am all about tea, but when I do reach for a coffee, I know how to make it perfectly!
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🙂
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Pingback: 6 Things I loved in South Africa – Life, with Clotted Cream
Nice, written post.
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Thank you!
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In England a ‘Cuppa’ only relates to tea! I don’t drink coffee myself 🙂
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This is true, however when I drink tea it is only Rooibos. I therefore had to be true to myself and my love for a good Cup o’ Joe! 🙂. I still have a lot to learn about Britain!
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I’ve become lactose intolerant so I’ve had to train myself to like black coffee… no lattes for me – just the espresso shot!
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Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that! At least you still have espresso in your life 🙂. Have you tried soy or almond milk lattes? Thank you for visiting my blog!
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Really not keen on soy or almond milks for environmental reasons… drinking coffee black has taught me to appreciate the subtleties of the coffee itself, which is no bad thing.
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Fair enough! I don’t like nuts in general, can’t imagine what the milk will taste like… On that note – I think it is time for another cup! Have a fabulous day.
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Oat milk is actually pretty amazing and I think it’s one of the easier ones to make at home, if you were ever so inclined. 🙂
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I’ve often thought of having alternative milks, but thus far every time I’ve tried it I didn’t like it very much. With the exception of Hazelnut milk – I really liked that!
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