Blog – Freckles and Flat Whites

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Florida Coffee Guide

We took a short trip to Florida early January. This was my first time visiting this state, so I thought I would put together a quick Florida coffee guide, with a few great cocktail and dinner spots!

The Lab Coffee

We landed in Tampa on Monday after our flights from Denver were cancelled on Sunday. We stopped at The Lab Coffee as we took the red eye to get to Tampa as early as possible.

This spot was just what I needed after lack of sleep and they even have a flat white on their menu which gives them bonus points!

Foundation Coffee

We spent 5 days at Streamsong Golf Resort, and I forgot how terrible resort coffee is but I had a relaxing time treating myself to the a few spa treatments and chilling at the pool.

Once we left Streamsong on Friday, we stopped at Foundation Coffee which was on our way back to Tampa.

Sadly our flights back to Denver were cancelled again so we decided to cut our stay short in Tampa and fly back on Saturday so we only had less than 24 hours in Tampa.

Paradeco Coffee

We decided to drive to Saint Petersburg which is about 40 minutes out of Tampa. One of my amazing followers recommended Paradeco Coffee, which is a gorgeous art deco tropical inspired coffee shop that is perfect for photos. This is my dream coffee shop!

Tampa

We then headed back to Tampa and grabbed lunch at Harvest Bowl which was just what I needed after eating fairly badly at Streamsong. We checked into our Airbnb and relaxed little before dinner.

I’m loving the cocktail scene that is currently the new in thing, so we went to Mandarin Cocktails and I ordered my now favorite cocktail, a French 75 which is Gin, Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice and topped with Prosecco. This cocktail lounge has created a little oasis off a very busy street, which I am all for!

My husband found this amazing dinner spot, Rooster and the Till. We booked the chefs seating where you can sit at the bar and watch everyone prepare the food, which makes you super hungry but it’s amazing. I would definitely recommend making a dinner reservation here!

Saturday, we checked out of our Airbnb and were told to stop at Porch for breakfast. Would definitely recommend their breakfast but if you are a coffee lover, skip on the coffee and instead go to Alert Coffee which is in a brewery. Loved Alert Coffee’s flat white and ceramic mug. Also a great spot to work.

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2021 recap

Here is my 2021 recap and there was definitely a lot of flat whites that were consumed, too many to recall. I actually am too scared to calculate how many I have ordered.

The last few weeks of 2021 were honesty the worst. We found out 4 weeks before Christmas that our family wasn’t going to be able to make it to us. We had so many plans that had to be canceled and I’m not going to lie, I was completely crushed. I am still crushed but 2021 hasn’t been completely bad. I decided to reflect on the past 12 months and recap what I did in 2021.

2021 recap

I sadly haven’t been able to leave the United States for almost 2 years due to travel bans and visas but I did take up the opportunity to travel more locally and made it to Atlanta twice, and Charleston, Vermont and Hawaii for the first time!

Finally I met the amazing owners of 1a Coffee and enjoyed some delicious flat whites and Danish pastries in Vermont! You can read about my trip to 1a Coffee in Wilmington Vermont here.

After a million interviews and rejections I finally landed an amazing new job in September! Some of our best friends finally came over and stayed with us in May for the first time, after months of not seeing them. I made over a 1000 new friends on Instagram. You can follow me here.

I started exercising again in August and putting my health and self care first. I suprised myself and read 16 books, which is incredible for me as I normally get through 1 or 2 books in a year. In November, I went back to San Francisco since leaving in March 2020, to celebrate our friends wedding.

I am writing this blog from Florida and this is my first time visiting this beautifule place. I am very fortunate that I can afford a trip when so many are unable to travel. I’m excited to continue growing in 2022 and I have already started listing a few goals I want to achieve. If you are feeling inspired, you should too.

Even if you don’t think you achieved anything in 2021, that’s ok too. I’m sure if you reflect on the past year, you will notice that you maybe did do something no matter how big or small.

Happy 2022, and thank you for taking the time to read my post!

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The best coffee shop in Wilmington Vermont

I finally made my way to Vermont. The main reason I was there was to visit a coffee shop, in Wilmington, Vermont. So I decided to share a bit more about what I think is the best coffee shop in Wilmington Vermont.

Brian Holt, 1a Coffee co-founder, and I connected over Instagram over 2 years ago. He recommended some great DC and Denver coffee spots to try when I was traveling there and we became fast Instagram friends. Chrystal, his wife, and Brian both opened up 1a Coffee on the 7th of October 2019. So when travel was back up and running in the US, Brian reached out inviting us to come and visit their coffee shop and explore Vermont.

I’ve never been to Vermont so we decided to book. I arrived having no expectation of Wilmington, Vermont. We flew from Denver to Boston, then took a scenic 2 hour drive to Vermont. We stayed at Chrystal and Brian’s Airbnb which I would highly recommend. It’s a converted horse stable into this gorgeous loft.

Brian and Chrystal have lived a fascinating life and have traveled and lived almost everywhere. Their dream for 1a coffee comes from their time in Sweden. They stumbled across Wilimintog, Vermont, when taking part in a coffee competition. They fell in love and decided this was the perfect spot to open up with dream coffee shop.

1a Coffee is all about sustainability and taking micro roasting to the next level, making sure the coffee is roasted in the purest conditions and truly valuing the farmers who farm their coffee.

When you walk into 1a Coffee, you feel extremely welcomed. There is a gorgeous red roasting machine in the middle of the shop behind a beautiful wooden bar.

1a Coffee has just turned one after surviving probably one of the worst times for a new business to open, and their hard work is paying off. Wilmington, Vermont has a very small town feel and a lot of European influence which is perfect for this Swedish inspired coffee shop.

Definitely follow 1a Coffee on Instagram and buy their beans here.

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August Coffee Roasters

I wanted to share all the coffee roasters I brewed in August. These have been some of my favorite.

Huckleberry – Denver

Sound and Vision Blend

This coffee is one I have now tried a few times and loved. Mix of Latin America and East Africa. With notes of Caramel, Chocolate and subtle Fruit – this is the perfect coffee to start your coffee journey with.

Huckleberry – Denver

El Desarollo – Colombia

With notes of Red Berry, Plum and Pie, this coffee is Single Origin from El Desarollo, Colombia. The beans have been washed and I really loved this region.

Intelligentsia Coffee – Chicago

Summer Solstice – Season Blend

First I am obsessed with this gorgeous pink packaging. This coffee was a blend of Brazil, Colombia and Ethiopia. Absolutely adored this seasonal release and I can’t wait to try more.

Notes of Citrus, Golden Raisin and Cocoa.

Chrome Yellow – Atlanta

Neighborhood Blend

I found out when I was in Atlanta that Chrome Yellow Trading Company only started roasting coffee recently and it was amazing to try their coffee. Also one of the best flat whites I’ve tried in Atlanta.

Notes of Milk Chocolate, Nougat and Spiced Apple.

Hi-Top Coffee – Fresno

Edible Arrangement – Ethiopia and Colombia

This is the first time I’m trying this brand and I just love the packaging. Notes of Raspberry Jam, Graham Cracker and Bright.

Purple Door Coffee – Denver

Gorilla Summit Coffee – Bwindi Uganda

I think this is the first time I am trying Uganda coffee and I really enjoyed this Single Origin. Notes of Chocolate, Coffee and Berry.

Springbok Coffee Roasters – Charleston

Colombia

Notes of Dark Chocolate Brownie, Caramel and Red Fruit. I always love a good Colombia, and this was my first time trying roasted coffee from Charleston.

Overall August was a good month with old and new coffee roasters.

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How I grew 1000 followers organically

I have just reached 1000 Instagram followers organically and I wanted to write a post here to first say thank you to everyone who follows me on my blog, on my Instagram and even on my YouTube channel. I have grown my community organically, and I am proud that I have done this. Yes it took me over a year to get to 1000 followers on Instagram but that’s ok! I wanted to share what I have learnt and how I grew organically.

This number might be small to some but it’s really big for me. I don’t even know 1000 people personally so having 1000 people follow me, like my content, comment on my posts and DM me directly is something that I could never have imagined.

So what have I learnt growing my Instagram organically:

It definitely takes commitment and showing up everyday online
Sometimes the content you spent hours working on performs terribly and then content that took you a few minutes to put together succeeds
Don’t compare yourself to others
Remember it should be fun and never stressful
Keep going!

If you are not following me on Instagram, you can follow me here

Read my first post of 2021 here and what I hoped this year would bring

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Atlanta Coffee Guide

I was back in Atlanta in June visiting my family. And I had to do another Atlanta Coffee Guide on the best flat whites and coffees I had during this trip.

Chrome Yellow Trading Company

501 Edgewood Ave SE Atlanta, Ga. 30312

Chrome Yellow Coffee and Dry Goods was recommended by one of my coffee friends, so I had to try this spot. They have even started roasting their own beans and the beans for the day was their Point Counter Point roast, with notes of Graham Crackers, Berries and Caramel.

This was definitely one of the best flat whites I have had in Atlanta so far, the espresso was amazing, the micro foam was perfect and the baristas were just so friendly. I would definitely be visiting this spot again.

Brash Coffee

130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW Atlanta, GA

We first had Brash Coffee that we bought from Wholefoods, not realising the coffee shop was right here in Atlanta.

We headed to the one at the Atlanta History Centre which was buzzing with families. I ordered a cortado which was in an 8 oz cup, so it was a flat white in my mind. It came a little too hot in temperature but once it cooled down slightly, it was a good cup of coffee. I do love the Brash Coffee symbol, which is a coffee bean coming out of the fruit.

Valor Coffee

44 Milton Avenue, Alpharetta, GA, 30009

I had to go back to Valor Coffee, as this vibrant spot makes one mean flat white. The last time I went, you couldn’t sit and enjoy your coffee, so it was amazing to finally sit in the cafe and enjoy a flat white. We also grabbed some pastries and vegan burritos.

Valor’s mission is – “When you walk into Valor, you’re not just a transaction, you’re a welcome friend.” This definitely stands true every time I have been to Valor. Their flat white was as good as I remember it. Definitely worth a visit and Alpharetta is such a cute little place to just park and walk around.

Peach Coffee Roasters

10875 Jones Bridge Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30022

Peach Coffee Roasters was super unassuming in appearance but as soon as you walk in, it’s a colorful cafe with a neon light. I didn’t have a flat white here as it was so hot but I tried their iced coffee with almond milk, which was pretty good.

Peach Coffee Roasters has created their core values around each letter of their name, aiming to make a positive impact on their community and the people they serve, which I love and fully support.

For my first Atlanta Coffee Guide, you can read about the first coffee shops I visited here

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How to make Iced Coffee using a Chemex

I wanted an iced coffee but didn’t have any cold brew in the fridge, so I thought using a Chemex to make iced coffee would be a good idea. And I must admit, it was pretty damn good. I have a 6 cup Chemex, so I needed to figure out how to make 1 cup of coffee using a 6 cup Chemex, and I used George Howell Coffee recipe to make 1 cup in a 6 cup Chemex.

Method to make 1 cup of coffee in a 6 cup Chemex

Boil kettle
Put Chemex on a scale
Place filter in Chemex
Measure 25g of freshly grounded coffee
Reset scale to 0
Start timer on scale
Pour boiled water in circular motion to about 130g in 20 seconds
Let coffee bloom
At 1 minute, continue to pour water in circular motion to about 260g in another 20 seconds
Last pour, at 2 minutes, get to 360g in 20 seconds

And voilà your Chemex is ready!

Method to make the Iced Coffee using the Chemex

Add ice to a glass
Pour in your Chemex coffee
Top with Milk/ Almond Milk
And stir with a pretty spoon

This is a super simple recipe to enjoy on a hot or cold day.

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April Coffee Roaster

1a Coffee Roaster

I stocked up on some 1a Coffee Roaster coffee in April and their Costa Rica Medium Roast is my April coffee roaster of the month and my absolute fav. This honey processed coffee was vibrant and sweet which I loved. I am starting to understand what I like and I definitely love honey processed coffee.

Coffee notes:

Blueberry

Honey

Dried Fruit

Processed

The Costa Rica is Honey Processed which means the coffee fruit is allowed to dry out without washing the fruit or pulp off the coffee bean. This means that some cherry fruit is left allowing for a natural sticky fruit syrup resembling honey. I didn’t know this but honey processing uses less water and I’m all for finding ways to save water.

1a Coffee have also released their reusable coffee jars, to fill up on your favorite beans when you go into their store. They are based in Vermont but I love their initiative to try and be more sustainable in their community.

Read my previous blog on 1a Coffee here

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Espresso Yourself Box – Review

I’ve been following this brand for a while so I decided to treat myself to an Espresso Yourself Box over the holidays. Their motto is “Empowering Women through Caffeinated Self-Care”. And we all have been focusing on self-care lately. I also love that it’s run by women and includes products from woman owned or co-owned businesses.

The Wonder Espresso Yourself (December) Box

In this wonderful box was:

Coffee from Tazamagna
Shower gel from B. Witching Bath Co.
Bath bombs from Snazzie Bombs
Hand sanitizer from Beauty Kitchen
Peppermint caramel treats from Beauty Kitchen
Inhale & exhale bands from Yogalastics

Before giving a proper review, I wanted to try each product:

Tazamagna Coffee

Let’s start with my favorite – the coffee and really the coffee was what made me want to try one of Espresso Yourself boxes. Every month there is a different coffee feature, which I just love. I got to try Tazamagna coffee which is a family owned business spanning 70 years. It was their “Our Everyday Coffee” which is a medium roast, Colombian blend from different locations and notes of raw sugar and chocolate. Really enjoyed this blend, with a bold flavor.

B. Witching Bath Co

Sea Glass Moisturizing Shower gel from B. Witching Bath Co is amazing and I’m still busy using it. Another family owned business that has been around since 1969, and I love that they are eco friendly and cruelty free.

Snazzie Bombs

Snowflake bath bombs from Snazzie Bombs – loved the holiday theme and I’m a sucker for a bathbomb. These bombs were so cool and I still have one left over to use.

Beauty Kitchen

Gingerbread Sanitizer from Beauty Kitchen – it’s a cute travel size but the gingerbread smell is a little too sweet and overpowering for me. Makes me want to eat gingerbread biscuits all day.

Caramel Caravan Co.

Peppermint Caramels from Caramel Caravan Co. – I am not a big peppermint fan so I had my husband try it and he loved the caramel treats.

Yogalastics

Inhale and Exhale bands from Yogalastics – I didn’t know what to expect from this product so I wore the bands for a while and they are so comfy. I see you can also wear them as elastic bands in your hair which I’m definitely going to try.

Overall I loved the Espresso Yourself Box I picked and it’s really a great gift for someone or to even treat yourself, as we all need a little self love and care. Alana has done an amazing job with all the monthly boxes and I can’t wait to see what else she does.

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Looking back at 2020 and what I hope 2021 will bring

We made it, you should all be proud of making it to the end of 2020. What a strange year this has been. I’m not going to share my challenges and frustrations, as we all have experienced those. I want to share what I’m most proud of coming out of 2020 and what I hope 2021 will bring.

Looking back at 2020

This year has allowed me more time, which I am truly grateful for. This was the chance for me to focus all my energy into my coffee blog. Some of you may not know this, but I redesigned and restarted my website and Instagram account on the 28th of June 2020. I spent the entire weekend picking a preset and learning about Lightroom. My current presets are from an Influencer I follow and love – @thebirdspapya. Love her!

I researched which hashtags to use for my posts and started adding a selected set for every post. To get myself orgainsed, I downloaded an app to plan all my posts. Planoloy is the App I used, and recommended by one of my fav coffee bloggers – Ahleigh (@coffeeenut) on her blog which you can read here. It really helped me to visually see how my Instagram feed would feel and look like.

What I’m most proud of in 2020

I first started my blog and Instagram account on the 2nd of April 2019. It took me 15 months to reach 171 followers, and I ended 2020 with 578 followers after I decided to rebrand. It’s insane to think that my account has grown by 338% in 5 months.

It’s honestly amazing, and I’ve made some incredible connections, in a year that has truly been lonely. This space has been my saving grace. From there, I’ve become more confident in writing weekly posts and I’ve even started sending a weekly mailer to a handful of subscribers.

I have also moved to a new city, co-launched Future Females in North America and finally got my US drivers license. I’m truly proud of myself and what I have achieved this year. Oh and I’m now trying to learn how to ski.

What I hope 2021 will bring

I’m writing this part after watching Disney’s Soul, if you haven’t watched it, do yourself a favor and watch it as soon as you can. I’ve definitely taken life for granted. I always get wrapped up in my own thoughts with how I want things to pan out.

I’m hoping for myself that I can have a little more fun, and appreciate the small things. We are always rushing to improve ourselves, to do better and be better that we pass life so quickly. One thing I have taken away from 2020 is to value time spent with loved ones. And if all things go to plan I will be traveling back to South Africa in January.

I want to continue growing my love for coffee on my blog and Instagram, and hopefully with the new year brings about safe travel. This space has kept me going this year and I have loved every moment. I’m so excited to see what 2021 brings and all the new coffee I will try!

Some of my top posts of the year

Atlanta Coffee Guide

Single Origin versus Blend

Scottsdale and Phoenix Coffee Guide

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Single Origin versus Blend

My friend from Cape Town, Marguerite, who is also a huge coffee lover inspired this topic. She suggested I write about the difference between single origin coffee and coffee blends. Some of you may be thinking, what’s the difference? Or is Single Origin better than a Blend?

What is Single Origin?

Single Origin are beans from one location. These beans are typically more rare, as they are season dependent. Single Origin is unique in flavor and generally represents the location they are grown in.

What is a Blend?

Coffee blends are a mix of different beans from different locations. The flavor profile ends up being more consistent and well balanced, which is more appealing to majority of coffee consumers. A Blend also has a better chance of tasting delicious, if blended well. Not all Blends taste nice, I know this from experience.

Single Origin versus Blend

Single Origin

Here are a few Single Origins I’ve tried and love. From all these Single Origin coffees, each one is sourced from a single location and all have very unique flavor profiles. Almost exotic in flavor, that usually results in a bolder and robust taste.

Little Owl Coffee

This coffee is from Mario Jesus, Chota Peru
Notes of Cocoa, Cherry & Lime Zest

1A Coffee Roasters

This coffee is from Colombia, El Mirador
Notes of Raisin, Black Tea, Rich & Full Bodied

Valor Coffee

Freethrow coffee from Guatemala
Notes of Milk Chocolate, Orange Creamsicle & Caramel

Kestrel Coffee Roasters

Las Moris coffee from El Progreso, Guatemala
Notes of Tangerine, Peach & Caramel

Intelligentsia Coffee

Coffee from Colombia Pioneros De San Agustin
Notes of Golden Raisin, Apple & Molasses

Copper Door Coffee Roasters

Coffee from Brazil – Serra Negra
Notes of Pecan, Bakers Chocolate & Oak

Blends

With Blends, there is a more consistent flavor profile as the different beans from different locations end up complementing each other. Here are a few blends that I have really enjoyed. You will notice that the notes are very similar across all these blends, consisting of either Caramel, Chocolate or Fruit.

Corvus Roasters

Westerlies – Darker filter blend from Brazil, Colombia, Rwanda
Notes of Caramel, Walnut & Smooth

Roseline Coffee

Catapult Blend from Colombia & Ethiopia
Notes of Citrus, Chocolate & Caramel

Blanchard’s Coffee Roasting Co.

Banchard’s Blend from South America
Notes of Balanced, Cocoa & Caramel

Huckleberry Roasters

Sound & Vision Blend from Latin America & East Africa
Notes of Caramel, Chocolate & Fruit

Fuego Coffee Roasters

Bear Claw Blend from Brazil &
Notes of Milk Chocolate & Fruit

If you get stuck when buying coffee or are unsure of what bean you like the most, opt for a blend as a safer bet! I know the type of regions I now like my coffee beans to come from, so I tend to go more for Single Origin than Blends. Definitely mix it up and try beans from different areas to find what suits your tastebuds!

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How to make Coffee Christmas decorations

I found these cute Christmas balls at Target in the Dollar Section/ Bulleyes Playground to make my own decorations. I have been thinking for a while now what I should do with them. Then I saw on Pinterest that someone put coffee beans in theirs. So here is a quick guide on how to make Coffee Christmas decorations.

Items you will need:

Christmas balls – Buy Christmas balls at Target or any other place that has them. These were $3 for 6.
Spray paint – I decided to go for a silver and I bought this from Home Depot.
Coffee – Get your coffee beans ready.
Newspaper/ magazines – use this to protect your surface when you spray paint.
Platic gloves, to protect your hands.

How to make Coffee Christmas decorations

Step 1: If you’re using spray paint, make sure you are outside. Lay down your newspaper/ magazines on a hard surface.

Step 2: Pat dry your coffee with a paper towel, incase they are a little oily. Take a handful of coffee beans and spray them with your spray paint.

Step 3: Leave the coffee beans to dry completely. I left mine for about an hour.

Step 4: Take the sprayed coffee beans and put them inside your ball decorations.

Step 5: Now your coffee christmas decorations are ready for the Christmas tree. Have fun hanging them in your favorite spot.

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Atlanta Coffee Guide

I traveled to Atlanta over Thanksgiving to spend it with family. I haven’t seen any family in over 8 months, and I know many of you are experiencing the same. Despite everything going on in the world, we decided to still travel. This wasn’t a typical holiday and we didn’t explore as much as we normally would have, but I did manage to try some amazing coffee spots while I was there. I’ve created a small Atlanta Coffee Guide, I wasn’t able to try every spot, but hopefully I’ll be back again to grow this coffee guide.

My Atlanta Coffee Guide

East Pole

We stopped first at East Pole to grab a flat white after landing. This was an unexpected find, surrounded by warehouses is this beautiful coffee bar.

They don’t have flat white on their menu but their barista made a great one, perfect temperature and microfoam.

My flat white rating: 10

Land of a Thousand Hills

There are a few Land of a Thousand Hills coffee shops around Atlanta, and this cafe is in a beautiful old house in Roswell. It’s actually the original Land of Thousand Hills coffee house, which is super cool. You feel like you’re walking into a cozy little cabin as soon as you enter.

Land of a Thousand Hills focuses on creating job opportunities in Rwanda, only sourcing coffee beans from Rwanda and roasting it in Atlanta. ‘Drink Coffee. Do Good’ is their motto. They also don’t have a flat white on the menu so I asked for a latte in an 8 oz. Coffee was good, the microfoam could have been a little more velvety.

My flat white: 7

Valor Coffee

Valor Coffee is a vibrant coffee shop, true to their mission “To uplift people through coffee”. We stumbled on this coffee shop in Alpharetta. Really loved how busy this little spot was, with cool music playing and people chatting. Also love the vibrant packaging and design of this cafe.

Their cappuccino comes in 6 oz so I would say they do have a flat white, but on their menu it’s just called a cappuccino.

Coffee was fabulous, microfoam was delicious and, I love the energy of this place.

My flat white rating: 10

Dancing Goats

We decided to explore Ponce City Market the one day and when we got there most spots were closed, luckily we could grab a coffee from Dancing Goats. They serve Batdorf Coffee. Batdorf and Bronson coffee roaster has been around since 1986, focusing on Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Bird-Friendly and Shade Grown coffees.

Love the Batdorf Coffee design on their takeaway cups, coffee was good, microfoam could have been a little more velvety.

My flat white rating: 7

Crazy Love Coffee

First love the name of this little spot. It’s a cafe and home decor shop. They have a gorgeous pink Christmas tree right now. Crazy Love Coffee shop opened their doors in 2017 and is a place to have a great cup of coffee and cozy spot to gather.

They also didn’t have a flat white on their menu, sadly I ended up with a very milky latte that wasn’t close to a flat white. So they need a little more practise. However, I bought a coffee shaped biscuit that was divine!

My flat white rating: 5

Xander Coffee

We stopped at Xander Coffee for a quick takeaway. This was an unexpected find while driving around Atlanta. I didn’t find too much information on this coffee shop but they did attempt to make a flat white for me.

The espresso was alittle weak but the microfoam was good.

My flat white rating: 6

Kula Coffee

Kula Coffee was our lost stop before heading back to Denver. Nested among office buildings, this little spot isn’t seeing much foot traffic so I’m glad we managed to make our way out there.

Kula Coffee has a social initiative called the Kula Project, where they empower entrepreneurs in Rwanda through a 15 month business fellowship.

Kula also didn’t have a flat white on their menu, so I asked the barista to make one in a 8oz cup. It was pretty good and the microfoam was smooth and velvety.

My flat white rating: 8

East Pole and Valor Coffee were my top two winners on perfecting the flat white. I hope you enjoyed my Atlanta Coffee Guide, leave a comment below if you have been to any of these coffee shops.

Bye for now Atlanta!

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Le Creuset’s French Press Review and how to make French Press Coffee

My friends gave me this beautiful Le Creuset French Press in Carribean Blue for my 30th birthday. I know there are many mixed reviews of this coffee product, so I wanted to share my personal thoughts. I do love the look and style of Le Creuset, and have over the years grown our collection of their products in our kitchen. So here is my personal review on Le Creuset’s French Press and how to make French Press Coffee.

First a quick review on Le Creuset’s French Press

The Le Creuset French Press is made out of their premium stoneware, which is perfect for retaining heat and is dishwasher safe. Can I get a yay! Many other French Press products have to be hand washed, which is a pain, but the stoneware material makes it easier to clean.
I have the 34 oz / 1 litre french press, which is perfect for 2-4 cups of coffee. Ideal for after dinner coffee with friends and family.
Also this French Press, like many Le Creuset products, has a 10 year warranty. WHAT!
Overall, I do love this coffee product, but mainly for making coffee in larger quantities. For daily coffee making, I do still opt for my Hario V60, you can read my V60 blog post here.

How to make French Press Coffee

Pick your favorite coffee – ideally whole beans that are freshly grounded, but bought ground coffee will also work. If you are grinding your own beans, you will need to make sure they are coarsely grounded so not to go through the filter.
Measure your coffee – I don’t measure my coffee to the tee, so to make 2 cups I usually use 3 heaped tablespoons.
Boil water – first pour some boiling water into the French Press to warm it up, then pour the water out.
Add your grounded coffee in your French Press, 3 heaped tablespoons for 2 cups of coffee. Pour about 2 cups of boiling water into the French Press and let it brew.
Stir – Using a long spoon or stirrer, stir the water and coffee till mixed.
Let the coffee brew – I normally let my coffee brew for a few minutes, and if you want to set a timer, you can set it for 4 minutes.
Pour into your fav coffee mug – Of course, use your favorite coffee mug to enjoy your freshly brewed French Press. Top up with milk, almond milk, oat milk or leave it black.
And enjoy!

Let me know in the comments below if you are a French Press lover!

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1a Coffee Roasters Review

I can’t remember who followed who first, but Brian aka “Holt Connections” and I became fast coffee friends over Instagram and he introduced me to Huckleberry one of my top favorite Denver coffee roasters. Him and his wife, Chrystal, are living my dream and have opened up their own coffee roaster called 1a Coffee Roasters in Wilmington.

This power-couple is focusing on using coffee as a force of good. I love how the name “1a” was their address in Finland and where their dream to start their own business began. I’ve been dying to try their coffee and had to wait for their new batch of coffee to be roasted. I bought all 3 of their Single Origin products as soon as I could, with a little family/ friends discount, thanks 1a coffee!

What I love about 1a’s mission is that they want to help make the world a better place focusing on sustainable development throughout the whole coffee supply chain. So here is my personal review on 1a Coffee Roasters, tasting their 3 Single Origin blends all light to medium roast.

Ethiopia – Nano Challa #8

Notes: Tangerine, Mulled Wine, Fruity and Juicy

First impressions: Super impressed with this bold flavor. I did get the sharp notes which is a result of the tangerine and fruity notes. I really like this Single Origin from Ethiopia.

My Rating: 9/10

Burundi – Nini Natural

Notes: Cooked Tart Cherry, Bright and Complex

First impressions: I’ve never tried Burundi beans before, but I got the Cherry Tart notes. This coffee roast was a little too fruity for me, so if you love a very fruity coffee, then you will love these Single Origin beans from Burundi.

My Rating: 6/10

Colombia – El Mirador

Notes: Raison, Black Tea, Rich and Full-Bodied

First impressions: I was super excited to try this Single Origin Colombia roast. I generally gravitate towards Colombia and Guatemala coffee beans. I first thought I was getting notes of almond, but that speaks to the rich and full-bodied flavor of this coffee.

My Rating: 8/10

Overall review of 1a Coffee Rosters

My clear winner is Ethiopia Single Origin, followed by Colombia and then Burundi. Honestly, really impressed with their beans. 1a Coffee Roasters is super young and small, so give 1a Coffee Roasters some love if you are looking to support small businesses.

If you like this review then you will also love my review on JavaPresse Coffee, you can read it here.

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JavaPresse Coffee Review – My First Vlog

I decided to film myself trying JavaPresse Coffee for the first time.

If you like any of my JavaPresse Coffee reviews, you can use my Affiliate Link to buy your favs!

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My thoughts on JavaPresse Coffee

“JavaPresse was born out of our passion to help people transform their coffee ritual into a meaningful moment… and it evolved from there.”
Raj Jana, CEO & Founder

Launched in 2015, JavaPresse mission is to improve the world for the better and focus on making happiness a reality. So I had the opportunity to try 4 of their coffee products, light, medium, dark and single origin coffee blends and here is my personal review:

Extra Mile Light Roast

Extra Mile Light Roast is JavaPresse’s Signature blend from Colombia.

Notes: Mild Citrus, Deep Chocolate and Juicy Mouthfeel.

First Impressions: Really surprised with how bold this light roast tasted. I got the notes of the Deep Chocolate, finished with the Mild Citrus.

Rating: 9/10

Happy Place Medium Roast

Happy Place Medium Roast is a blend of Guatemala and Colombia.

Notes: Praline, Mild Berry and Smooth Chocolate.

First Impressions: This is a very smooth medium roast. First sip, I got the Smooth Chocolate notes.

Rating: 7/10

Power Hour Dark Roast

Power Hour Dark Roast is also a blend of Guatemala and Colombia.

Notes: Dark Chocolate, Caramelized Sugars and Smokey Smooth.

First Impressions: Personally, I find dark roasts sometimes very intense. But the combination of notes really brings out the dark chocolate taste which makes this a drinkable dark roast.

Rating: 6/10

Rising Champion Single Origin

Rising Champion Single Origin is from Ethiopia – Nensebo, West Arsi and Sidamo regions.

Notes: Blueberry, Vanilla Bean and Almond.

First Impressions: I don’t normally like fruity notes but wow I was surprised with how much I liked the Rising Champion Single Origin. First sip, you’re hit with the Blueberry notes making it a very refreshing coffee to drink.

Rating: 8/10

I would definitely buy the Extra Mile Light Roast again, as I normally don’t go for light roasts but I liked how bold this coffee tasted. Then my second preference would be JavaPresse’s Single Origin Rising Champion, as I was pleasantly surprised with how refreshing the notes of Blueberry makes this coffee.

Overall, I am really impressed with all of JavaPresse Coffee beans and here is an Affiliate link to buy coffee from their site if any of the coffee I just mentioned interests you. Please note, that if you use this affiliate link, I do get a little something if you buy any of their coffee. Let me know what you think of their coffee if you buy any!

Read my previous blog post here.

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Is a coffee subscription worth it?

With us all working from home on a more permanent basis, the need to have a high volume of coffee supply has become an important factor in my household. I have had a few times when I was on the last few beans and no new coffee on hand. So I decided to sign up for a monthly coffee subscription and share if a coffee subscription is worth it.

I have tried Native Coffee Club for 4 months now and I’m loving this subscription. Native Coffee Club was founded in 2018 by Jake and Margaret. Being new to Denver, I wanted to first support and second to learn about all the amazing new coffee roasters around Colorado. This coffee subscription, only partners with local Colorado roasters. As an added bonus, you get a free drink card to visit the coffee shop.

You can pick between a Single Origin ($22.99) or Blend ($19.99) Subscription, and you can have this delivered every week or up to every 8 weeks. If you don’t have a grinder, you can opt for your coffee to be grinder. So far I’ve tried coffee from Corvus Coffee, Color Roasters and Unravel Coffee.

There are many other coffee subscriptions out there and if you already know what you like, many coffee roasters offer their own subscriptions. But if you’re not sure what you like, I would highlighly recommend joining a coffee subscription, so you can try different coffees from different roasteries. Overall, I totally feel that having a coffee subscription is worth it. This is also a great Christmas present for someone who loves coffee.

Some other coffee subscriptions I’m aware of right now:

Other coffee subscriptions

Honey & Roses Coffee Co.

Honey & Roses Coffee Co. is a market place for coffee roasters in the United States, partnering with over 40 different coffee roasting partners. All coffee roasting partners have similar missions, focusing on fair trade, organic and ethically sourced coffee farming. I have used them a few times to order different brands but they also offer a subscription. You can read up more about Honey & Roses Coffee Co. subscriptions here.

Local Grind SA – for my fellow South Africans

Local Grind SA has just launched in South Africa, and was created to support small coffee roasters during the current pandemic. I haven’t yet tried them but a friend of mine has just started and it sounds like it’s going great so far. You can find out more about their subscriptions here.

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Aeropress – How to use it and make perfect coffee

There is definitely no shortage of coffee brewing tools in my home. I’m basically collecting different brewing products, it’s becoming an obsession. When I saw the Aeropress, I was very confused with all the different gadgets and parts, it seemed very complicated. There’s about 8 parts instead of 2 for the normal French Press. But after learning how to use the Aeropress, it became super easy to use. This is my personal review on the Aeropress and how to use it and make the perfect coffee everytime.

First what is the Aeropress? Similar to the French press but a more no fuss coffee brewing tool. It was invented by Alan Adler who wanted to make the perfect cup of coffee consistently.

Steps to making the perfect cup using the Aeropress

Boil your kettle, I’ve read a few other posts that say you should leave the kettle for a minute after boiling then use it
Assemble your Aeropress, place the filter in the filter cap and screw it onto the Chamber
Put your mug on the scale, and add the chamber onto the mug
Put the funnel on the Chamber and use the scoop to add the coffee
Finely grind beans and weigh about 15 grams/ 1 scoop for 1 cup of coffee. If you want to make 2 cups, use 30 grams/ 2 scoops
Then pour the water in till it gets to the first line, and stir the coffee with the stirrer
Continue to pour the water till it gets to the number you want, I usually go to the top number, to make 2 cups
Then put the plunger on and press until you have even amount of coffee between 2 cups
Follow with topping up with more hot water
Total brewing time should be around 2-4 min.

Benefits of using the Aeropress compared to the French Press

Way easier to clean – just screw off the lid, and push out the coffee into the bin
Can take it anywhere with you – it’s light and durable, made from plastic so won’t break. Camping no problem!
Makes amazing coffee in seconds – recommended to brew 4 minutes, but if you can’t wait you can just pour the water over the coffee and press.

Aeropress items

Filters
Chamber
Plunger
Filter cap
Filter holder
Funnel
Stirrer
Scoop

You can read about my other coffee brewing tools here – The Best Coffee Products – Aeropress, Chemex, and Hario V60

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Scottsdale and Phoenix Coffee Guide

Last week I traveled to Scottsdale for a mini vacay. This trip was planned to celebrate my birthday and it was also the first time I was back on a plane since March, which was super surreal. I’ve never been to Scottsdale and the best way to describe it is Mini LA.

I managed to try 5 different coffee shops while there, so I thought I would create a Scottsdale and Phoenix Coffee Guide. All the below recommendations are from other coffee lovers who follow me, so thank you to everyone who shared their favs.

I stayed at The Scott which I would highly recommend staying at, as it has a lot to offer and is really close to some amazing restaurants and coffee shops. The hotel wasn’t at full capacity which made getting a spot by the pool really easy.

I would say, The Canal Club in The Scott, needs to improve their barista skills. Tried to order a flat white, and after a few attempts asked for a cappuccino, which was a big disappointment, especially as they have photos on Yelp showing gorgeous flat whites with smooth microfoam. Their lack of coffee skills did make me explore the coffee scene in Scottsdale and Phoenix more, which was a positive!

Scottsdale and Phoenix Coffee Guide

Cartel Coffee Lab

Cartel Coffee Lab is really close to The Scott, only a 16 minute walk. I ordered a flat white and it was a really good one. I wanted to share a bit more about the brand and history but couldn’t find that information to share.

Flat white rating: 8

Berdenas

Berdenas is also really close to The Scott, quick 18 minute walk. I ordered a flat white and their avocado toast. I went back again for another portion of their avo and toast, it was that good. Loved the decor in this shop, it’s so bright and welcoming. Their flat white was delicious, using beans from Sweet Bloom Coffee, a roastery I really like and based out in Lakewood, Colorado.

Flat white rating: 9

Songbird Coffee & Tea House

Located in Phoenix, so it is a bit of a drive to get to from The Scott. Songbird Coffee & Tea House is in a beautiful historic house built in 1904. As a small business, they focus on supporting other small businesses, only sourcing their beans from Cortez Coffee Roasters in Tempe.

Flat white rating: 7

Sip Coffee and Beer

I decided to walk to Sip Coffee and Beer which was a 30 minute walk from The Scott. Sip Coffee and Beer was born in 2014 and focuses on community and bringing people together. I decided to order their Cold Brew with Almond milk. The brew was very fruity in taste, which I don’t really like so I found the cold brew a little too light in taste with notes of fruit. But I can see the appeal of this spot and how bustling it can be.

Cold brew rating: 6

Maverick Coffee

I was really excited to try Maverick, and walking in I saw they had a Flat White on their menu. I thought, yes this is going to be a good one, but I wasn’t paying attention and instead got a latte. I could taste that the coffee was good so if you are a latte lover, then you will like their coffee. Or maybe they might think a flat white is a latte!?

It was also in a 12 oz cup, where a typical flat white should be around 5-8 oz. Anything more than an 8 oz is considered a latte. I did write a post about the difference between a flat white and cappuccino. You can read the post here. Maybe I should include a latte definition!

Flat white rating: 5

Spots to eat at and menu recommendations:

These are some of my other fav spots we ate at and wanted to give a shout out to:

Grimaldis – Amazing pizza, I had their Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Franco’s Italian Caffe – Romantic Italian Date, also order one of the Chef’s specials
Berdenas – Perfect Avocado on Toast
The Montauk – Amazing mimosa

This was really a week to switch off and drink as much coffee as possible. I love going to new places and finding the best spots. My fav was Berdenas, Cartel Coffee Lab, Songbird, Sip and Maverick.

Leave a comment below if you have been to Scottsdale or Phoenix before and if you’ve been to any of the places I’ve just mentioned.

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Is Nespresso worth it?

Nespresso was the beginning of my coffee journey. My family bought me one for my 23rd birthday and that was about 7 years ago. I have since moved on to other coffee brewing tools such as the V60, Chemex and Aeropress, you can read this blog post here. But the convenience and quality of Nespresso is what made me love using this machine and worth it for me.

I was away for the weekend and our hotel had a Nespresso machine so I thought I would write up why I still love it. I enjoy the ritual of grinding my own beans and being fully responsible for brewing my coffee right now, but just popping a pod in and turning on a machine is sometimes just what I need.

First, let’s talk about the Nespresso look and design…

Design

It’s a very sleek and stylish machine, so it fits in well with any person’s home no matter their style.

That’s one of the things I loved about it! It fitted in perfectly with my kitchen.

Nespresso pods

There are a variety of different flavors to cater for everyone’s tastes. I love the sleek packaging the pods come in. Beside that, the customer experience is amazing where you can sample pods to decide on which flavour you like which is perfect for novice coffee drinkers.

Quality

The Nespresso pod is made out of Aluminium which seals the coffee flavors, making each pod consistent in taste. I honestly never had a bad nespresso.

The aluminium can then be recycled and reused for new pods. So let’s talk about Nespresso’s recycling program.

Sustainability

Nespresso has introduced their recycling program, and back in Cape Town I actively took part. It was super easy and I just dropped all my used pods in the store whenever I needed new pods.

I would however try and incentivise more Nespresso users to recycle their pods, as I’m sure not everyone is taking up this initiative. It’s just so easy.

Convenience

I’m not going to lie, you can get a pretty decent espresso in seconds.

I was heartbroken that my Nespresso machine couldn’t work in the US as South Africa has a higher voltage but then I experimented with the Chemex which lead to the V60.

I would highly recommend Nespresso if you’re looking for convenience. Right now I’m still happy with my morning coffee rituals but it was nice to enjoy using the Nespresso machine from the weekend.

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Is coffee good or bad?

Is coffee good or bad for you? For many, coffee has become a ritual. It surely is a ritual for me, a way to take a break during a hectic work day, and a moment to share with friends and loved ones. So how much coffee can you actually drink in a day? I have been wondering if I drink too much coffee… and maybe I do.

My typical day starts with a V60 in the morning, around about 7/ 7:30am, then at about 10am I make another cup. To get out the house and take a break from work, I’ll find a cafe to get a flat white or a cold brew from. Then my last cup comes in around 3pm just to give me that extra boost to wrap up my day.

The recommended daily consumption is 3 to 5 cups a day. Or 400 milligrams of caffeine according to a New York Times article, you can read the full article here.

As an added bonus, according to an article by John Hopkins, there are some added health benefits to drinking some delicious coffee.

Drinking coffee helps to lower your chances of:

Getting diabetes
Experiencing heart failure
Getting colon cancer
Experiencing Parkinson’s disease
Getting Alzaheimers
Getting a stroke

Other added benefits:

Healthy liver
Dark roasted coffee helps to keep your DNA in tact

Overall, drinking good quality coffee helps you to live a longer and healthier life.

You can read the full article by John Hopkins here. If you missed my last post, I discussed why you should support local brands, you can read the full post here.

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Why I support local coffee brands

Why should you support local or think about supporting local coffee brands? This has been on my mind a lot lately. A friend of mine back in Cape Town shared a news article about how the coffee industry is nearing a global crisis. This was the perfect time to discuss this topic and you can read the full article here.

Many of us don’t often think about where our beloved coffee beans come from. If you’re a true coffee lover like me, you know that coffee comes from very humid climates such as Mexico, South America, Africa, India and even Vietnam. Many of these countries rely heavily on coffee farming to survive.

Over the years these farmers have been underpriced significantly leading to increase in poverty. And now climate change is impacting these coffee farms. Scientists are predicting that by 2025, coffee farming will be cut by half. Drinking coffee has grown in popularity with giant coffee chains paving the wave but with that, coffee farmers have been negatively impacted.

Fair trade

There are many smaller local coffee brands who are trying to support farmers financially which has turned into the fair trade branding. I know that larger brands are also doing this. Fair trade aims to support the coffee community by improving equity, respect and community. If you want to show support for these coffee farms, try and find coffee brands that support Fair trade.

More than ever, smaller coffee brands need our support. So if you can, buy beans from your favorite local coffee store. I’ll be here trying to support all Denver’s local coffee stores.

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San Francisco Coffee Guide

So I decided to list a few of my favorite coffee spots around San Francisco and provide a short coffee guide on my favorite coffee spots.

1. Saint Frank

Saint Frank San Francisco — Saint Frank on Polk Street

First up is Saint Frank. This little cafe is definitely one of my favorite coffee spots in San Francisco, mainly because they can make a delicious flat white. You can get a takeaway or sit in their cute little cafe, and their patries are also delicious. So if you have time, grab a pastry and flat white, and enjoy their outdoor seating.

2. Wrecking Ball

Who wouldn’t love a cafe name like Wrecking Ball. I miss this little cafe in the Marina. It’s the perfect stop to grab a coffee and continue walking and shopping on Union Street.

3. Dynamo Donut + Coffee

Dynamo Donut San Francisco — Dynamo Donut + Coffee in the Marina

Third on my list is Dynamo Donut + Coffee. This was a regular spot I stopped at when I went on my weekend walks in the Marina. It’s a beautiful scenic route where you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and walk up to the Palace of Fine Arts. Highly recommend getting one of their donuts.

4. Home SF

And last on my list is Home SF. You have to try their Birthday Cake Latte. It will make you extremely happy with all the colors and beautiful latte art. Also if you’re a fan of avocado and toast, you should definitely treat yourself.

Hope you enjoyed my short San Francisco coffee guide. Leave a comment if you have any questions.

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When can we start saving the planet again?

Many are thinking, what is going to be the lasting impact of single use coffee cups during COVID. If that isn’t on your mind, it sure is on mine. It’s been months now since bringing your own reusable cup has been banned from coffee shops. Everytime I get a takeaway coffee, I’m reminded that this could have been in my own reusable cup. So when can we start saving the planet again?

I’m by no way the perfect advocate of sustainability and reducing my carbon footprint. Honestly, I have often forgotten to bring my reusable cup with me many times. I have tried my best to use it as much as I can – when I remember. I even started traveling with one during long flights and many work trips.

In late June, the Guardian released an article stating that over 100 scientists from 18 countries are trying to reassure the public that the transmission of the virus, when using reusable cups, is not likely and won’t increase your chances of getting it. This conclusion comes from evidence that highlights that the virus is mainly spread from inhaling droplets instead from surface contacts. You can read the full article here.

I know that we are all hesitant to get back to “normal” as there is still so much we don’t know about this virus. But I’ll be the first one to bring in my extremly clean reusable cup as soon as coffee shops start allowing it! Who is with me?

If you prefer making coffee at home, I’ve written a post about making the perfect cup of coffee using the Hario V60. You can read it here.

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How to make the perfect cup of coffee at home using a Hairo V60

In last week’s post, I shared the three coffee products that I’ve used in the past. Right now, I’m using the Hario V60 every day and loving how easy it is to use. I wanted to share how you can make the perfect cup of coffee at home using a Hario V60 or another brewing product.

If you are a coffee enthusiast like me and want to make the perfect cup of coffee, this is what you’ll need to do.

How to make the perfect cup of coffee at home

You will need:

A kitchen scale

Freshly ground coffee/ already grounded coffee

Goose neck Kettle/ normal kettle

Hario V60/ another pour-over brewer

And the coffee mug you love the most

Steps to make the perfect cup of coffee at home using a Hario V60

I have a Baratza Encore Grinder and it’s currently set on 16, so I always grind coffee fresh. If you don’t have a grinder, you can still use already grounded coffee. Just make sure that the ground is finely ground.

Remember to turn to the kettle on to start boiling the water.

Now it’s time to measure your coffee, place your favorite coffee cup on your kitchen scale, put your Hario V60 or another pour-over on top of your coffee cup, insert your filter, then turn the scale on.

I personally prefer a stronger coffee taste, so I measure 17-18 grams of coffee. Once the kettle is boiled, slowly pour the hot water in a circular motion. The secret here is to remember to pour slowly and that is why having a Gooseneck Kettle is perfect as it allows you to have more control with how you pour the water. If you don’t have a Gooseneck Kettle, don’t worry, just remember to pour slowly.

I usually pour the water in until it’s about halfway filled in the Hario V60, I then allow it to seep through and then pour water over again slowly and in a circular motion. This whole process shouldn’t take longer than 5 minutes.

Top off with your favorite milk option – whole, almond, oat milk, or enjoy it as black coffee.

I would love to hear how you make your coffee at home, leave a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram @frecklesandflatwhites.

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The Best Coffee Products – Aeropress, Chemex, and Hario V60

Turning your home into your office has some peaks, but I do miss grabbing a flat white on my way to the office. Even with coffee shops opening and offering outdoor seating, I’m really enjoying making coffee at home.

My coffee brewing tools and products have expanded from the Aeropress to the Chemex to the Hario V60. I honestly didn’t know so many different brewing techniques and products were out there. Here is my take on using these three coffee products.

Aeropress

Back in Cape Town, we got the Aeropress as a wedding gift. If you are a fan of the French Press, then you will love the Aeropress. It’s also prefect to travel with and an extra bonus is that it’s way easier to clean than a French Press.

You don’t need to let the coffee brew as long as a French press, allowing you to make your coffee faster. You can see from the photo, that the Aeropress branding has rubbed off, this is to show how we have used this product excessively over the years. Personally, I love the Aeropress.

Chemex

When moving to San Francisco in 2018, I bought the Chemex as a gift for my husband. Secretly, I bought it for me. I didn’t know too much about the Chemex but it was great to make multiple cups of coffee with, compared to the Aeropress. Making Chemex coffee has a number of steps, which began a morning routine in our home.

From grinding the beans, placing the filter, soaking the filter, adding the ground coffee, and slowing pouring the boiled water in a circular motion to brew the coffee, what a better way to start your morning. Traveling with a Chemex isn’t really feasible as it’s made from glass, but when having friends or family over, this is the perfect coffee product to use.

Hario V60

We then decided to take our coffee experience more seriously and unskilled to a Hario V60. I loved using the Chemex but when I wanted a quick cup of coffee, the Chemex wasn’t an option.

The V60, similar in brewing to the Chemex, has some key differences. Mainly, it allows for a quicker coffee brew as the filters are slightly thinner than the Chemex filters. The V60 design is smaller and easier to transport than a glass Chemex product, perfect for that weekend getaway.

I’m mainly using the Hario V60 everyday now and really enjoying it. We even bought another V60, so we can make two cups of coffee at the same time.

Personally, I love the Aeropress, Chemex and V60. Each coffee product highlights my journey with coffee and how I’ve evolved my coffee preferences.

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Coffee in Italy

After my trip to Paris, I was eager to plan my next coffee destination. I was also planning a wedding so 2016 was out for a coffee excursion. In 2017 my husband and I decided to travel to Italy. We were meant to go to Vietnam but some amazing flight deals to Italy popped up, and we couldn’t resist. I was excited to experience the Italian Coffee Culture and drink my way through coffee in Italy. On the agenda were Venice, Florence, and Bologna.

Similar to Paris, it’s recommended that you drink coffee with milk in the morning and in the afternoons, move onto espressos or black coffee. You can read about my Paris Coffee Experience here. In Italy, coffee is meant to be drunk in the morning and after dinner. Italy is known for their coffee, creating the espresso and cappuccino, that many of us love today. There is so much coffee history here and the social aspect of drinking espresso and having a pastry is a ritual in many Italians’ lives.

Italian Coffee – Espresso or Cappuccino

My personal coffee preference is a flat white, which is not a known coffee item in Italy. I’ve written a post on what a flat white is and you can read it here. During my time in Italy, I would alternate between an espresso and a cappuccino.

If you don’t already know, espresso is a method of pushing, commonly known as expressing, hot water through grounded coffee. It’s more concentrated and has a creamy consistency at the top. I generally drink espresso with half a teaspoon of sugar, as it can be rather bitter for me. A cappuccino, traditionally, is a single or double shot of espresso, then steam milk is added and to finish it off, topped with frothy milk.

Venice

First on our Italian coffee experience was Venice. I’ve been to Venice before when I was 16 but traveling as an adult is a completely different experience. We ate our way through all the pasta and I grew to love Aperol Spritz during this time. We were only there for 3 days and I decided to find one top-rated coffee shop, which at the time was Caffé del Doge.

Caffé del Doge Venice — Caffé del Doge
Venice 2017

It took us a while to find this little cafe, nestled down one of the small cobble ally ways, but what a find. I ordered a cappuccino, I think it was after 11 am, first Italian coffee sin. But it was a delicious cappuccino, single espresso shot with frothy milk. I actually ended up buying their beans to take home and it was the only bag of Italian beans I bought while there.

Florence

Next on our Italian adventure was Florence. Italy was experiencing a massive heatwave when we were there, so drinking hot coffee wasn’t a top priority. We did manage to eat as much Gelato as humanly possible. As we were staying in Florence for 4 days, I found two coffee spots, Ditta Artigianale and Pasticceria Nencioni.

Ditta Artigianale Florence — Ditta Artigianale
Florence 2017

Ditta Artigianale was in this beautiful Italian building, in the centre of Florence. It is also a micro roastery, that was born in 2013. The setting and cafe was charming and I had high expectations. I was a little bit disappointed with the cappuccino, it wasn’t the best I have had in Italy so far.

I started following Emiko Davies, a cookbook author living in Florence and she had this beautiful post on Pasticceria Nencioni so I had to try it. Their pastries were delicious but their cappuccino was sadly average.

Pasticceria Nencioni Florence — Pasticceria Nencioni
Florence 2017

Bologna

Our last stop was Bologna, we only stayed here for 2 nights. I’ve never heard of Bologna before our trip, and I didn’t know what to expect. Bologna has one of the oldest universities in Europe and is mainly a student town. We had some of the best pasta dishes in Bologne and many Aperol Spritz.

Le Petit Cafe was the last coffee cafe on our Italian coffee culture experience. It was one of the hottest days in Bologna, so I ended up opting for an iced cold brew coffee paired with a delicious pastry. The cafe was bustling and we sat at the counter drinking our coffees and cooling off. This was the perfect end to us making our way through coffee in Italy, one coffee at a time.

Le Petit Cafe Bologna — Le Petit Cafe
Bologna 2017

I loved exploring Italy and eating and drinking way too much. I can’t wait to go back and see how far the coffee culture has changed. There is definitely a shift in the coffee world, people are starting to value where beans come from and how they have been farmed. We are moving away from commercially driven companies that dominate on a global scale to more localized and specialized roasteries.

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Coffee in Paris

With more time on my hands, I’ve been reflecting on why I love coffee so much. And why I associate traveling with coffee. It really all began in 2015 when I was drinking coffee in Paris and taking the whole cultural experience in.

I am by no means a coffee expert, I have definitely become more of a coffee critic. Which I never use to be. Back in university, between classes, I would grab instant coffee with 2 sugars. Don’t judge me, those terrible cups of caffeine got me through 4 years of university.

The coffee culture in Cape Town, South Africa started to boom around about the time I graduated. My first job was about an hour’s drive away but there was this amazing coffee shop called Deluxe Coffeeworks. I would always stop there on my way in, not going to lie this habit was expensive and still is. They made a fabulous flat white every time. This started a new ritual of my day, where I had to have a flat white in one hand and laptop in another.

I’ve always enjoyed having coffee, as I associate it with shopping trips with my mom and sister. We would always refuel with a Seattle coffee and catch up sessions with my girlfriends over the weekend, and spontaneous dates with my now-husband. Now that I was working and earning my own money, the desire to travel kicked in. My appreciation and love for coffee grew over this time and my first trip overseas was Paris.

Coffee in Paris

The Parisians definitely excel in fashion, food, wine, art, and architecture, sadly coffee was not on that list in 2015. Among all the Parisian cafés, I managed to find one that made exceptional coffee and even sold their own beans. I see now that things have slowly changed, according to a blog post by Emily Manoco, you can read her blog here. I’m delighted to see the adaption of the coffee culture in France. This makes me want to go back even more and I was meant to be traveling to France later this year, but sadly that has been shifted to 2021.

Notre Dame Paris — Notre Dame
September 2015

What I learned about Parisians and their coffee, is that they only have milk with their coffee in the morning. It’s strongly recommended that you drink your coffee without milk and opt for espressos instead, in the afternoon. Many cafés have 5 different coffee options:

Café – which is basically an espresso, you can have a single or double shot.
Noisette – Is a café (espresso) with a drop or two of milk. Noisette is French for hazelnut, and the name came about as the milk turns the coffee into a hazelnut brown color.
Allongé – Is a café (espresso), topped with extra boiled/ hot water. This then makes the espresso diluted and not strong in taste.
Filtré or Café Américain – This is just filtered coffee.
Café Crème – Is café (espresso) with warm milk.

La Caféothèque de Paris

After researching online for the best coffee spots in Paris, I found La Caféothèque de Paris. This little café, close to Notre Dame, had a very unassuming appearance but what a hidden gem. I honestly had the best Parisian flat white since arriving in Paris and I can’t wait to go back. Sadly while writing this post I realized that I have lost all my photos of Paris. Luckily I posted on Instagram and Facebook. I know it’s the memory that really counts but in a world where we live through photos, it was still a little sad.

This experience really fueled my love for travel and learning about different cultures take on coffee.

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île de païn café – one of the best coffee spots in Knysna

I was chatting to my sister the other day and I floated the idea of her guest writing on my blog. She jumped to the opportunity and decided to write about île de païn. This little Parisian inspired café, situated on Thesen Island in Knysna, brings back so many fun memories with my family, who I miss so much right now. Spoiler alert, they make pretty great flat whites too. Here is my sister’s view on île de païn’s flat white making skills.

Say hi to my sister, Natasha…

Hello, my name is Natasha and I live in Cape Town, South Africa. I am a Grade R teacher and mother to two pugs and a cat. I love traveling and trying new things and am also a coffee addict like my sister.

During the lockdown, I have been juggling online teaching, cleaning, online workouts, and cooking. A never-ending cycle of repeat activities. As one does, we resort to looking back on what life was like before lockdown. The ability to meet friends for a coffee, or travel anywhere, which seems so far out of reach right now. I started thinking about my last long road trip, which was my honeymoon. It was along the Garden Route in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Garden Route Honeymoon

My new hubby and I stayed in one of my favorite towns, Knysna. This town is very special to me as it holds so many childhood memories. Memories of my family and I camping when I was much younger. In the harbor of this town, on Thesen Island, is this gorgeous little Parisian café – île de païn, which has been open since 2002. My dad actually took us there first, where my sister and I couldn’t yet drink coffee but instead had their hot chocolate. If you are not a coffee lover, their hot chocolate is honestly one of the best I’ve ever had.

Now that I’m older and live on coffee to survive, we had to make a stop at île de païn as this is a tradition in our family whenever we are road tripping. This is what I thought of their flat white…

île de païn flat white

The coffee was a medium roast, which is the best kind to have. I treated myself to a chocolate croissant, as I find it always enhances the nutty notes of the coffee when you have something sweet.

île de païn’s microfoam was incredible, creating a smooth and velvety cup. The temperature was perfect and ready to drink once served.

Personally, I think coffee always tastes better when you have a beautiful heart leaf design. I love how they have their own cups and saucers, creating a beautiful finish to the coffee presentation.

As soon as you enter this café, you are surrounded by the laughing, chattering sound of friends and family, creating a lovely little hustle around you. Thinking back, I really miss that type of background noise that can be so soothing at times. You are also greeted with the incredible smell of freshly baked bread, as well as friendly waiters. Overall, creating a warm environment to enjoy your coffee and baked treats.

My hot tip would be to always go for the chocolate croissant and if you feel like spoiling yourself, their takeaway re-usable KeepCups are a perfect size. These KeepCups are also a great gift for someone special. It would be amazing if île de païn did something extra special, like give a small treat on the side with your coffee. Besides that, I’ll give île de païn café flat white a rating of 9.

Flat white rating: 9.0

Lockdown tip: île de païn is open for orders and pickups of their amazing pastries and bread.

Still not sure what a flat white is, read my blog post – So what is a flat white?

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San Diego Coffee Shops

I wasn’t sure I wanted to write about my trip to San Diego with everything that is going on, but these coffee shops deserve to still be recognized. Thinking back, it was one of the best trips in America thus far. This was a very spontaneous trip, as our friend from South Africa was coming all the way here for a conference so we booked our flight last minute and early on Valentine’s Day morning, we were on our way. Besides exploring the coffee scene in San Diego, we fitted in a hike to Potatoe Chip Rock, went to the Zoo, and tried a few Breweries.

Portal Coffee

Portal Coffee was our first stop. This cafe was a great little place to work from and if you’re a fan of avocado on toast, you have to try theirs. Ended up having two flat whites from Portal Coffee and so far it was a great start to the San Diego coffee scene exploring.

James Coffee

Next up was James Coffee. This place is rustic and charming, set within a market in Little Italy. They have chessboards set up as tables which I really loved. There are even pieces to play with, so we ended up playing a few rounds while enjoying some great coffee. I love the cup and saucer that my flat white came in.

Manzanita Coffee

We hiked up to Potatoe Chip rock, which was a local’s recommendation. I haven’t been on a long hike in a while and normally, I make sure we have coffee in our Stanley. This completely slipped my mind, so I had to find coffee after our hike. We stopped at Manzanita Coffee and what a hidden gem. I really enjoyed their coffee and also found out that they practice sustainable farming methods, which was interesting to learn.

Bird Rock Coffee

Bird Rock Coffee was across the road from our Airbnb, on Morena Blvd. They were busy with renovations so they only had takeaways as an option. I had to take a work call so my husband had to take the photos, he did a pretty good job. Loved their coffee and look at that micro-foam!

Communal Coffee

Communal Coffee is my dream coffee shop, from the decor to the merchandise to the amazing coffee. I wanted to buy everything in the shop. We stopped here to grab something to eat before we caught our flight back to San Francisco. This little shop was bustling as it was Monday and a public holiday – President’s Day. I wish I was living in San Diego so I could just sit here all day, and drink all the flat whites.

Which San Diego Coffe Shops are open right now

I had a look at all the coffee shops I visited in San Diego and currently Portal Coffee, James Coffee, and Communal Coffee are offering takeaways. Look at their Instagram pages for more details on how to order and when they are open.

Manzanita Coffee and Bird Rock Coffee are temporarily closed but you can order coffee beans on their website, check out their Instagram pages for more information.

It feels forever since I’ve been able to work form a coffee shop, and I’m sure many of you are feeling the same. But hopefully, we will all be able to work from our favorite coffee shops again very soon.

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Denver Coffee Spots

This is the second time I have visited Denver and I wanted to really explore the coffee scene. I ended up trying four coffee spots while in Denver – Crema Coffee House, Black Eye Coffee, Novo Coffee and Huckleberry Roasters. These Denver Coffee spots were either close to my location or recommended by others who have the same love for coffee as I do.

Crema Coffee House

I have been to Crema Coffee House before as it’s close to my office so I headed back there again. I was in desperate need of a good coffee after traveling from Atlanta the night before. After chatting to the barista, the beans that they were using, that morning, were from a Seattle based company. I didn’t catch the name, but it’s a brand they use in-house. Seattle is still on my list of must-see destinations and I’m hoping to make a trip there soon in 2020.

So onto Crema’s Flat White… I might be a little biased here as I hadn’t had a good coffee since leaving Atlanta, so it just hit the spot. I’ve started thinking more about why coffee makes me happy and I’m looking at delving deeper into that, at a later stage, but at that moment I needed something to get my mind ready for a full day of work at my head office after 3 intense days of traveling and networking.

Crema was bustling when I arrived on a Thursday morning, loved the energy on a cold winters day in Denver. Overall, this is the second time I’ve had a great flat white here. I’ll give them a Flat White rating of 8.

Crema Coffee House Flat White rating: 8

Black Eye Coffee

Later that day, I ended up going to Black Eye Coffee. I didn’t realize this little spot has a pretty epic history which ultimately leads to its brand name. If you love a back story, check out their site and learn more about this cool spot.

I was with my husband, so we decided to sit and enjoy our coffee, turning it into a date. I ordered a Flat White but it was a little too milky for me, I think it was more of a Short Latte. Besides that, the coffee was still good and I can see why people love this little cafe. Black Eye Coffee gets a Flat White rating of 6.5.

Black Eye Coffee Flat White rating: 6.5

Novo Coffee

There was a Novo Coffee spot close to our hotel, so I went there on my last morning in Denver. It was still snowing so a short walk later, we were inside a warm cafe and ready for some coffee.

I finally brought my camera with me, so I was testing out different settings, managed to get this one good shot after multiple takes. It was early on a Sunday morning so it was nice and quiet in the cafe. They have a Cortoado on their menu so I asked if they could make a Flat White. Loved that they tried, but the Flat White came out more like a Cortado. The coffee was still great though so I will give Novo Coffee House a Flat White rating of 7.

Novo Coffee House Flat White rating: 7

Huckleberry Roasters

Huckleberry Roasters was recommended by a coffee lover on Instagram, so I was adamant to make it to this spot. We ended up stopping here after skiing on Saturday. Denver had just gotten fresh powder from the snowstorm and everyone in and around Denver was heading to the ski resorts. After a very early start to the day, 4 hours in traffic and a few hours of skiing, I was craving an afternoon pick me up.

We headed to the Huckleberry Roasters cafe on Pecos Street. My flat white was made with a single origin from Guatemala, that has been honey processed. Never heard about honey processing before, so I research it and learned that it’s the way the coffee is picked. After the coffee skin and pulp has been removed, it’s not washed but goes straight into being dried, keeping some of the leftover pulp from the coffee fruit on the bean allowing for a sticky sweet flavor to come out once processed. Loved learning something new. Their flat white making skills are on point and this was one of the best flat whites I’ve had in America so far. Huckleberry Roasters gets a Flat White rating of 10!

Huckleberry Roasters Flat White rating: 10

Denver has a really amazing coffee scene and I can’t wait to explore more coffee spots in Denver. Out of the four spots, Huckleberry Roasters was my favorite so far. Now onto the next coffee…

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Cat and Cloud Coffee in Santa Cruz

Cat and Cloud Coffee shop is a cute little cafe in Santa Cruz. We stopped here on our way back from Los Angeles. I’m a cat lover so I was instantly drawn to the brand name.

Of course, I ordered a flat white. The beans that I had was from The Answer range, a blend of Central America (mainly Brazil) and Africa (Ethiopia). I’ve really loving these types of blends creating a very bold taste.

This coffee stop marked the end of our family holiday and it was a great place to end off on. I’ve been dragging my family on my coffee journey through the past month from Tahoe, Monterey, Los Angeles, Santa Barbra and now Santa Cruz. If you’re heading to Tahoe for the weekend, you can see where to stop at on the way up in this blog post. If you’re in Los Angeles, check out these spots in Venice Beach in this blog post.

Cat and Cloud Coffee Rating

Loved the energy of this little cafe, it was extremely busy when we arrived but the barista took her time with our coffee. The microfoam was great, and mentioned already I liked the blend of coffee beans from their range.

The cafe is quite small so I would recommend grabbing a coffee to go. If you’re lucky and can get a little table, then it’s a great spot to sit and enjoy the coffee. We were six people so we just grabbed a coffee to go. I did ask my family’s option of the coffee and they felt it was the best they had so far in California. Cat and Cloud Coffee get a rating of 9.

Flat White rating: 9

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Best coffee spots in Los Angeles – Venice Beach

For our family trip, we decided to explore Los Angeles and all I could think of was finding the best coffee spots to try. We stayed in Venice Beach and there were 3 coffee spots close by – Intelligentsia Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee and Menotti’s Coffee.

Intelligentsia Coffee

We only got to Los Angeles around 6pm and it was a long drive from Monterey. My husband actually found Intelligentsia Coffee as they were still open when we arrived. We unpacked quickly and headed down to Intelligentsia Coffee.

I loved the layout of the cafe. The coffee is made in the middle, with all the tables and chairs facing inwards. We ordered a Flat White but instead got a Cortada. I’m not the biggest fan of a Cortada but besides that, the coffee was really good and it was just what I needed after a long day of traveling.

Blue Bottle Coffee

I have tried Blue Bottle in San Francisco before but my family hadn’t, so we decided to grab a coffee here before heading to the beach. The coffee was great and even though there was a long queue, we got our coffee relatively quickly. I really enjoy Blue Bottle coffee, but every time I’ve ordered from the spot in San Francisco, I’ve always had to wait for a while before getting my coffee, it’s never a quick grab and go.

Menotti’s Coffee

We stopped at Menotti’s Coffee to grab a coffee for the road, before leaving Los Angeles. I was excited to try this spot because my parents and husband had already been. The coffee was good, but I think the baristas were having a bad day. I tried to ask about the coffee and learn more about the brand, but they weren’t very talkative.

Flat white rating

Out of the three coffee shops, Intelligentsia Coffee is definitely the coffee shop to visit when you’re in Los Angeles and down at Venice beach. It is also a great spot to work from or just stare at the baristas making coffee all day. Their Flat White was more a Cortado, but the coffee tasted great and I loved the atmosphere of this spot. Still wondering what a Flat White is, read my blog post on it.

Flat White rating: 7

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Best coffee spots in Houston

Over Thanksgiving weekend, my husband and I visited Houston. My cousin lives there with her husband and their beautiful baby boy. I slowly explored the coffee scene in Houston last year, but this time, I came prepared with a list of a few places I wanted to try.

Tiny Boxwoods Coffee — Tiny Boxwoods flat white

Our coffee journey started at Tiny Boxwoods. We went there for brunch and I was pleasantly surprised with how great the coffee was. If you have read my post on Starlings, a Cape Town based breakfast spot, you would know that I’ve struggled to find a breakfast spot in America that serves great coffee with breakfast. I think I’ve found this in Houston!

After brunch, we stopped off at Catalina Coffee for a flat white before heading home. I chatted with the Barista about the beans and they normally mix 2 types of beans but for the holiday season, they have created a mix of 3 blends – Guatemala, Mexico and Costa Rica. It was amazing!

The next day, we ventured to Boomtown Coffee. Loved that Boomtown’s menu had illustrations and descriptions about each different type of coffee they can make. Boomtown’s Coffee description of a flat white is flat milk, which turns out is another name for micro foam. I did find their flat white a little weak but their almond croissants were pretty delicious.

On our last day, we stopped at Retrospect Coffee Bar. This was definitely a hidden gem in Houston. If you go there, you have to order one of their pancakes. I had their savory pancakes but instantly regretted it when my husband’s Nutella and banana one came out. The savory pancake was delicious but if you’re looking for a yummy treat, have one of their sweet pancakes.

I loved that everywhere I went in Houston, flat whites were on the menu. Overall, Catalina’s Coffee was the best flat white I had in Houston during my, with Retrospect Coffee Bar coming in second place.

Catalina’s coffee

Why I loved Catalina’s flat white…

I loved the thought that went into mixing 3 different types of beans and how the aromas complement each other creating this amazing espresso taste.

The microfoam was beautiful and velvety, with the temperature of the coffee being just perfect. Loved the presentation of the coffee, the atmosphere was quiet but that could be because it was over Thanksgiving.

Service was super quick and really appreciated that the barista took the time to tell us about the coffee, while still making other customers coffee.

Overall rating for Catalina’s flat white: 8.5

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Best coffee spots in Cape Town

Bean Authentic

This little coffee shop is a hidden gem in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. Firstly, you are hit with the smell of beans roasting as soon as you enter Bean Authentic. Secondly, the owner is also there serving customers and ready for a chat about coffee, which I absolutely love.

In October, I was back in South Africa and managed to meet one of my oldest friends there, to celebrate her engagement over a cup of coffee. It couldn’t have been a more perfect place to catch up and drink some fantastic coffee.

How does Bean Authentic stack up in their flat white making skills?

Flat White Review

I love the taste of the Bean Authentic beans. The beans haven’t been over-roasted and I can taste the creamy, nutty bold flavors in every sip.

The microfoam is extra velvety and never over foamed. The temperature is always just right and I can drink my coffee straight away and don’t have to wait for it to cool down.

On presentation, I love a cute little latte art heart which Bean Authentic is great at making. Can’t stress enough how bustling this little cafe is, which makes the atmosphere of this little shop so incredible. And knowing that the owner is there talking to his customers really plays into the “authentic” nature of this place.

The service really ties into the atmosphere and you are always made to feel welcome. For me, something special here is how I know that each cup of coffee is made with such care. There is so much passion going into this little Northern Suburb store. That’s why Bean Authentic gets a Flat White rating of 10. I can’t wait to visit when I’m next in Cape Town.

Bean Authentic Coffee Flat White — Bean Authentic Flat White Coffee

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Equator Coffee Flat White Review

Finally, I am getting round to write about Equator Coffee and my flat white experience. I am fascinated with brands, so Equator Coffee’s brand is quite intriguing with Equator as the brand name and a tiger as the brand logo. After doing some online desk research, I couldn’t quite figure out the history behind the brand name, but I did find out that Equator Coffee is a local San Francisco brand, which I love!

When first moving to San Francisco, I ended up buying decaf Equator Coffee beans, just because I loved the striking red packaging and tiger logo on it. It was a great purchase, as I loved the decaf beans. And yes I do drink decaf in the evening, don’t judge.

So does Equator Coffee make a good flat white? Sadly, their flat whites are pretty average, but I’m hopeful as I know they have good quality beans. My husband said that he had a pretty good one, so maybe I will get lucky one day.

On taste, Equator Coffee beans are vibrant and strong. Their flat white ranking comes short on their microfoaming skills. The temperature was extremely hot and I had to wait a while for it to cool down before taking my first sip. The Equator cafe I go to in the Marina is always busy, so the baristas are just pumping out coffee. As a result, the microfoam ends up being over foamed and you don’t get that silky smooth latte art presentation. Service is quick and if you’re looking for something to nibble on, the vegetarian egg sandwich is great!

For now Equator Coffee gets a flat white rating of 5.

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Saint Frank Coffee Review

It’s the first time that I’m celebrating Labor Day weekend in San Francisco and it’s been a great weekend so far. We started off celebrating with new friends over dinner at our place, then decided to take a very easy Sunday. I’ve wanted to try Saint Frank Coffee for a while now and finally decided to mission there.

The weather has been surprisingly amazing over the last few days, so my husband and I decided to walk to Saint Frank Coffee on Polk. Based on first impressions, it’s a great little spot to have a coffee and work or catch up with friends. But can Saint Frank Coffee make a flat white?

1. Taste

I was exhausted from rushing around yesterday getting our apartment ready for guests and hosting, that I was in desperate need of a double shot of espresso. Saint Frank Coffee made my Sunday with their espresso. It tasted as if the beans were a dark roast, but I’m not 100% sure.

2. Microfoam

Saint Frank’s micro foam was perfect, super velvety and creamy while drinking.

3. Temperature

I found the temperature of the coffee a little too hot but then I was able to enjoy the coffee for longer.

4. Presentation

The cafe was quite busy so to avoid keeping customers waiting, our latte art was a bit rushed. I’ve noticed that since using my Keep Cup, baristas struggle with the design when it’s a wider surface area, but I will take great-tasting coffee over a perfect latte art design.

5. Atmosphere

From walking into the cafe I loved the energy. I would definitely come and spend a few hours in this cafe, working and getting my caffeine addiction sorted.

6. Service

To be expected, the shop was bustling but service was fast. The baristas were friendly and attentive which I loved.

7. Something special

The pastries looked delicious. I need to go back and try their mini cakes.

Flat white score

Saint Frank Coffee gets a flat white rating of 9.5 and is the best flat white I’ve had in San Francisco so far.

Flat White rating: 9.5

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Starlings Flat Whites

I love a good breakfast and all my family and friends know this about me. Back in Cape Town, my weekends were always filled with an outing to a cute little breakfast spot with great tasting flat whites. It’s a little different here in San Francisco, as a breakfast outing is swapped with brunch and the great tasting coffee is replaced with Mimosas or Bloody Mary’s. Look I’m not complaining but every now and then I want a damn good flat white to kick off my weekend just right. I was recently back in Cape Town and visited one of my favorite breakfast spots, Starlings. So how did Starlings flat whites measure up…

1. Taste

I actually don’t know what coffee beans Starlings use, but that double shot of espresso is too good to be true.

2. Microfoam

The microfoam was super creamy and velvety, you can tell that the barista knows what they are doing.

3. Temperature

I’m not the fastest coffee drinker, so I do normally like my coffees to be slightly on the warmer sides. Starlings flat whites are not warm enough for me but that’s just me.

4. Presentation

When ordering a coffee, you’ll get it in the mix and match Le Creuset cups and sauces, which makes me even more obsessed with how gorgeous the presentation is. The latte art is big and aims at covering the whole cup surface.

5. Atmosphere

I love seeing families and friends catching up over breakfast and amazing coffee. This spot is perfect to meet a friend and have a great catch up over coffee. If you want a quiet spot, this is not the place.

6. Service

Service is on the slower side and the last time I was there, we got our coffee drinks quite far apart from one another, and when you’re dying for a coffee while your friends drink theirs, you do get a little jealous.

7. Something special

Starlings have some delicious cakes and pastries, but they should think about adding a mini rusk with their coffees. If there was a mini rusk with my flat white, I would probably be stuck there for hours.

For those who don’t know, a rusk is a South African biscuit that is first baked then dried. If you’re ever in South Africa, you have to try one. I’m missing not having rusks here but I do need to bake my own.

Starlings flat whites are one of the best I’ve had in Cape Town. Maybe next time I visit I’ll get a mini rusk with my flat white… hint hint

Flat White Rating: 8.5

Still not sure what a flat white is, you can read my blog post here.