Don’t you just love the little news stories that pop up from time to time, like a breath of fresh air in a soup of heavy current affairs. The latest one that made me smile last month was about a team from the University of Pennsylvania who have researched the optimal height and speed from which to pour water on to coffee grounds. What a job!
As the UK has transitioned from a nation of tea drinkers to coffee snobs, over the years there have been numerous studies into what makes the perfect cup of coffee. But I don’t need the scientists at Portsmouth University to tell me how to brew an espresso (yes, they too got paid to come up with a theory) – like many of us, I’ve done quite a lot of my own ‘research’ into what I think makes a great coffee. I know that I like a strong arabica, no milk – just a cup of black gold in its purist form (you can keep your frothy milks and fancy syrups, thank you very much!). And I know exactly where to buy my coffee from (and where I would happily frequent for a fantastic piece of cake but wouldn’t dream of ordering an espresso!).
But what I love about coffee (and what those ‘perfect brew’ studies don’t appreciate) is that there’s no right or wrong with coffee. While I might love the coffee in one coffee shop, I’m well aware that it might not be to everyone’s taste. It all comes down to opinion – like what flavour crisps you prefer, or which wine you drink.
From coffee shops to coffee roasters, I’ve turned many a stone to find my perfect cup of coffee in the Cotswolds and here are a few. Let me know if you agree!
Cracking Cotswold coffee roasters
Ritual Coffee Roasters
The team at this Cheltenham-based roastery is taking the art of roasting back to its traditional craft from, using a much-loved 1980s Samiac roaster. Every batch is roasted manually which gives greater control over quality. The beans themselves come from small producers and cooperatives, with some harvests being exclusive to Ritual, such as the exceptional La Palmapampa washed coffee from Peru. Try the much-loved Origin blend in the on-site brew house and kitchen. ritualcoffee.org
Fire & Flow
When you are a multi-time finalist in the UK Barista Championships and have featured in the ‘30 under 30 to watch in the coffee industry’, you don’t need dry scientific studies to tell you how to brew great coffee. For Callum, brewing coffee is a lifelong pleasure which he does at this Cirencester roastery along with partners Phil and Char. Together, they have developed a fantastic coffee hub, sourcing and roasting great beans and inspiring coffee drinkers to get the best out of specialty coffee. Join one of the home barista courses and brew yourself a cup of delicious Aurora. fireandflowcoffee.co.uk
Rave Coffee
Watching the Rave team at work is like watching something from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Just like their coffee, it’s intense – from the sheer number of fantastic blends and beans to the scrupulous social conscience to the frenetic but incredibly effective marketing. Rave is an assault on all your senses, and in a very good way! Their roastery in Cirencester is where you can see them in action and try the brews, but a visit to the website will also give you a good flavour. ravecoffee.co.uk
Ethical Addictions
When founder Ian Meredith set up the Cheltenham-based EA roastery in 2006, it was to make good coffee that also made a difference to the growing communities. This led Ian and his partner to develop the ‘farm direct’ concept, negotiating and buying direct from the farmers themselves and reinvesting profit back into the farms and villages. The beauty about this ethical business model is that the more the company reinvests into their growers, the better the quality of the coffee beans for your morning brew. eacoffee.co.uk, also available at the Warners store in Upton-upon-Severn.
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