Espresso
Nicely extracted with good crema colour, with flecking. Tastes bold with very good balance of fruity acidity.
Cappuccino
Fantastic milk texture, I was served a rosetta latte art with veery good contrast between crema and milk. It was served at the right temperature. The coffee was a bit too fresh as there were some bubbles present in the milk. It was a medium bodied, but not unpleasant.
Espresso Machine: La Marzocco Strada 3-group
Grinder: Mahlkoning K30, Wega K6, Mahlkoning Guatamala packet grinder
The Vibe
Bean There is a direct importer, and Sarah, Cuth and Jonathan regularly visit farms all over Africa. And they’ve taken the connection between cycling and coffee to another height by giving one of their farmers a new bike in exchange for an old, rickety (but very shabby-chic) bike that they have incorporated into their decor along with photographs of the farmers who grow the coffee. The white walls and non-intrusive decor are soothing so I always find myself having too much coffee here. The music is not too loud, so it’s an ideal place to meet and chat with a friend. Join them on their cupping evenings to learn more about coffee tasting. Parking can be difficult in the area, so park across the road in the underground parking. Jonathan and Sarah were innovators in bringing speciality African coffees to South Africa, and have been featured on the cover of the American Barista magazine.
Coffee
African coffees only. Jonathan, Sarah and Cuth regularly go to the farms and co-ops they support through their Fairtrade coffees. You will find Ethiopia, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and the legendary ‘Olga’s Reserve’ peaberry.
Food
Cakes and pastries; they really focus on coffee.
Owners
Jonathan and Sarah Robinson
Jonathan and Sarah Robinson were innovators in South Africa in bringing specialty African coffees to Joyburg. They have even been on the cover of the American Barista magazine!
Barista
Freeman Mhlangu
Freeman was a geography teacher in Zimbabwe before coming to South Africa.
Awards received
Best Espresso WBC Gauteng Regional
Coffee Philosophy
Jonathan and Sarah are passionate about uplifint the farmers that grow the coffee. They regularly visit the farms and Co ops that the beans come from and directly support the communities that grow their coffee.