Why airplane coffee tastes terrible, and what to drink instead

The world is a much smaller place than it was even just a decade ago, and with cheaper flights becoming the norm thanks to companies such as Ryanair and easyJet, airplanes are becoming almost second homes to people all over the globe.

One major problem with air travel has always been the apparent low quality of food and drink when cruising at 30,000 feet above the ground.

None of this is more prominent than with our beloved coffee, tasting weak, slightly sour and just all around unpleasant. But why does it taste so poor whilst up in the air?

…continue reading Why airplane coffee tastes terrible, and what to drink instead

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Tuesday the 25th April 2017

Society Install: Mad Hatter, Matlock

Matlock’s newest hotspot for cocktails, food and of course quality coffee is now open!

Slap bang in the middle of the small Derbyshire town, this is the perfect place to come for espresso martinis and more before, during or after your night out.

Primarily a coffee shop, the cool location and cosy surrounds make this a a great place to come with your family or friends no matter the time of day. …continue reading Society Install: Mad Hatter, Matlock

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Monday the 24th April 2017

Costa charge man £599 for a cup of coffee

We get that artisan coffee shops are going to cost us more, but coffee chain Costa? The company that pioneered the doubled handled mug for larger cups of cheap coffee?

Unfortunately, the high street chain served up an eye-wateringly large bill for one unsuspecting customer after a trip to the Costa at the Royal Surry County Hospital.

51-year old Paul Harris, popped into the Costa Coffee store at the Guildford hospital for a quick caffeine boost whilst visiting his son and ended up being charged a whopping £599!

…continue reading Costa charge man £599 for a cup of coffee

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Friday the 21st April 2017

Clear coffee: Never worry about staining your teeth

A brand new bottled coffee (yes we wholeheartedly disagree with ‘bottled coffee’) has hit the market and it’s (almost) as clear as water!

Obviously taking aims at that portion of coffee drinkers that was to a) take their coffee with them and b) like their coffee cold; this Slovakian import has been taking social media by storm in the last few weeks.

But we wonder…is it actually any good?

…continue reading Clear coffee: Never worry about staining your teeth

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Thursday the 20th April 2017

Why adding salt to your coffee makes it taste less bitter

For most coffee drinkers the addition of sugar helps improve the taste (we are wholeheartedly against adding sugar – but understand that some like to add a little softener), but we often get asked about the addition of salt.

As more people are becoming ‘coffee-educated’ or ‘coffee-aware’, we see trends emerge as to how the general public consume the drink.

Whilst it might not be commonplace, more and more coffee-drinkers are starting to add a little salt to their espresso/Americano/Latte to gain a slightly different drinking experience.

…continue reading Why adding salt to your coffee makes it taste less bitter

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Wednesday the 12th April 2017

UK Coffee Week 2017: A celebration of British caffeine culture

UK Coffee Week is now upon us, is it seriously a whole year since we last celebrated the UK coffee industry and the work done to help those achieve their caffeine creation aspirations?

For those unaware, UK Coffee Week is a nationwide fundraising initiative where we as trade professionals, coffee operators and customers can join forces and celebrate the growing British coffee culture, all whilst raising valuable funds for the communities worldwide that help us create the coffee we all know and love.

…continue reading UK Coffee Week 2017: A celebration of British caffeine culture

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Monday the 10th April 2017

Society Install: Le Deli, Harrogate

Based upon our classic interpretation of the iconic French deli, Harrogate’s Le Déli is prominent on the town’s Beulah Street pedestrianised shopping area.

In-between all manner of shops, cafes, bars and more; the pretty Parisian inspired eatery is perfectly placed to catch passing footfall.

…continue reading Society Install: Le Deli, Harrogate

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Monday the 10th April 2017

Espresso spread: Probably the best thing you can now put on bread

Within weeks of hearing about a Japanese firm releasing a coffee butter-based coffee spread, we have a step up in the caffeine-spread stakes. This time in the form of Espresso Spread.

Many of us in the UK tend to choose to forgo breakfast in favour of a hot drink, so the combination of a caffeine fix with a light breakfast bite might just be up a lot of people’s street.

Combining coffee and food isn’t exactly a first, but being able to spread espresso onto your toasted bagel could be our next fixation.

…continue reading Espresso spread: Probably the best thing you can now put on bread

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Friday the 7th April 2017

Society Training: Café Leep

Often we get a great mix of businesses, enterprises and even charities coming to our Sherburn-based training centre, our Barista training course is designed to help anyone and everyone get started on a caffeine creation journey that ends in coffee creating confidence.

We welcomed a group of volunteers at local enterprise – LEEP1 – which helps adults with learning disabilities learn valuable life skills whilst working in a supportive and inclusive environment!

Our group were left in the capable hands of our Master Barista Dominico, who took them through all the phases of espresso-making and speciality coffee… …continue reading Society Training: Café Leep

Last updated by Damien Wilde on Wednesday the 5th April 2017