World of Coffee – From Coffee With Love

March 31, 2026

I was at SUBKO Specialty Coffee Roasters and Bakehouse, Dubai

From India with Love. Not the name of a new movie, but the launch of one of India’s premier specialty coffee shop brands in Dubai, which opened towards the end of 2025 adding to the already exciting specialty coffee scene in Dubai. I had heard about Subko before, as I first met their founder, Rahul Reddy, at the 2023 edition of the World of Coffee in Dubai. At our first meeting, he had kindly given me some special arabica coffee beans to take home, and I also tried their chocolate.

I was intrigued by their brand, sourcing the finest specialty coffee beans and cacao from India and close neighbours, cultivating them to create something special for the Indian coffee market.

Fast forward to 2025, and after a guest appearance at a coffee shop in London, I was excited to learn that they would be opening a coffee shop in Dubai before the end of 2025, the first Indian specialty coffee shop to open in Dubai, as far as I know.

Located at the very trendy and now popular Alserkal Avenue, I didn’t really know what to expect… another coffee shop, a roastery or…

Much more.

A coffee shop, a coffee roastery, a chocolate making factory, a kitchen, a bakery.

The Space

As you enter, they have a dedicated coffee brewing bar with a three group La Marzocco espresso machine, catering for takeaway coffee, pastries, their canned coffee and bread for easy pickup and go.

When I first went, I thought this was it but I was wrong. Wait for it.

Walking through the larger-than-life space, you are invited to view their merchandise from t-shirts, to coffee, tea and more. On the left-hand side, there’s a small office style cubicle space, where you can have a meeting, then a small Giesen coffee roasting machine, before you head to the back of the space, under the stairs, where you can watch them making chocolate and taste them too.

If you veer to your right, you’ll see them baking bread and pastries too… enticing.

Upstairs is designed to be a sit-down café, decked with its own brew bar too and another La Marzocco Strada.

The sitting area has a mysterious layout, with artwork and tables hidden in corners, so if you can’t find sitting, venture inside.

The Menu

So, what’s on offer?

With an extensive menu not just of coffee drinks, but of sandwiches, breakfast plates, pastries and dessert, you’ll be spoilt for choice as the menu literally reads like a book.

I went not just once but thrice in their first month of opening, visiting with friends and family.

Their Coffee

In short;

Their coffee is ” meticulously sourced from the Subcontinent. Crafted with precision by skilled Arabica Q Graders, each bean being handpicked from regional plantations, ensuring a journey of unrivaled quality and flavour”.

They work in direct trade relationships at origin with coffee estates and smallholder farmers harvesting and (often experimentally) processing coffees that they aim to curate into only SCA 85+ point scoring coffees” (source: https://www.subko.coffee/pages/coffee )

On my first trip, I had a cortado and a Basque cheesecake, which I enticed my wife to try on my second trip.

However, when it came to coffee, I have to confess I preferred their batch brew , using Project Pearl – but make sure you ask for it hot.

Their Food

You are literally spoilt for choice and you may get confused as to what you should eat. They have their version of shakshuka, they have delectable pastries, a multi-layered croissant, which I tried, non-coffee non-alcoholic coffee cocktails, exciting sandwiches.

I tried the Harrira Moroccan inspired chicken sandwich in their delicious sourdough, a butter chicken style sourdough sandwich, which might sound filling but was delicious, with my kids ordering it twice in one sitting.

On my third visit, my friends and I bought their delicious sourdough.

So, what else is on offer?

You’ll have to go find out for yourself, BUT honestly, I think you’ll be intrigued by what they are building as when I met their owner on my last trip, he said they still hadn’t finished their plans.

Highly recommended.

Find them at

Alserkal Avenue – Warehouse 15 – Al Qouz Ind.first – Al Quoz – Dubai (Pro tip: At the back of Alserkal avenue)

December 31, 2025

I was at WATCH House, Dubai

I’ve had many coffee experiences in 2025, some old and some new and often I wonder and perhaps I pray that one of my faves will open up in the city I live in and so my prayers were answered when I read in Coffee News that Watchhouse, London premier specialty coffee chain was opening in Dubai. Best of all, it wasn’t one of those bulletins that tells you it’ll happen in 2 years’ time, but rather in a matter of weeks and that’s what happened in November 2025. Yay!

Located in a glorified pop-up district called Marsa Boulevard, which opens from 4pm-12pm, next to Dubai Festival City Mall, occupied by many local coffee and cake brands and a very few global brands is Watch house.

You’ll be glad to know that I went twice in the space of 4 days.

On my first visit I wasn’t surprised to see a long queue as I’m sure that many of the Emiratis that were queuing are quite familiar with this brand in central London.

I waited patiently with my daughter and as it was nighttime, I ordered a batch brew. There wasn’t much space to sit because it was too crowded, but we found two seats in front of their brew bar, dotted with lots of V60 brewers.

I found out later from one of the barista that they pre-dose and pack their filter coffees and place them in a freezer and just take them out and start brewing once an order is placed. As we sat down waiting for my coffee, I noticed an AeroPress champion trophy and asked, “who won this?” as I had been a judge at the UAE AeroPress championship two days back and was introduced the guy who came third.

He kindly offered us any coffee we wanted on the house and my daughter went for the matcha … (I was thinking, coffee… but you know trends and GenZ… sigh). In any case I thought, okay a flat white, so that I could sample their milk-based rinks.

I don’t know what they put in this, but it was definitely one of my favourite flat whites of the year… why? Well, I asked the manager and he mentioned the milk they used, and I thought that’s the difference, because their espresso blend, 1829 Espresso, is the same they serve in London.

The batch brew was nice too, with hints of dark fruit but then I noticed he gave me the Ethiopian instead of the El Salvador (I think) I ordered.

A few days later I met a friend for lunch at the same mall and when we finished IO realised that it was 3:30pm…. 30 minutes until Watchhouse opens. So, I strolled around and got there at 4pm prompt…. I was their first customer. I walked around, took a few shots. I was tempted to go all out and get a cake slice… who wouldn’t.

However, one of the staff suggested that a chocolate tart (last pic) will go best with my flat white, so I succumbed. My flat white was beautifully poured by one of their main baristi, hailing from Cameroon. (oops I forgot this name).

I met the head barista from Zimbabwe and he schooled me on their philosophy and I mentioned that I’ve known the brand for years and it’s my go to in London.

Another delicious experience.

I can’t wait to go back and try one of these with my wife….

Perhaps the mini-Basque cheesecake.

September 30, 2025

I was at Voyage Coffee, Beijing, China

Last month I was invited to attend a China Arab Expo in Yinchuan, a city about two hours flight west of Beijing and although I didn’t find any coffee shop there, using my aeropress for my coffee fix, I knew that Beijing would have more to offer. So, before my trip I used google to search for best specialty coffee in Beijing and guess what, Voyage Coffee came up.

So, on my second day in Beijing, I made sure that my first stop in discovering the city or should I say finding good coffee, was at the art district, 798 751 Park , where Voyage Coffee was located. Initially I was a bit apprehensive as I completely underestimated the size of this venue and not having WIFI, I panicked. However, upon entering from the main entrance, which is a pedestrian district, I saw a sign pointing to Voyage Coffee on my right… hey presto!

I found out that the main entrance was in a kind of cul-de-sac, so I had a mini adventure.

Upon entering, you are greeted with Nihao (hello in Chinese) and with a Scandinavian style interior with light brown wood and concrete – urban Nordic chic is what I call it.

They have a La Marzocco Strada with Mazzer grinders and the menu has Chinese on one side and English on the other. The café was busy with both locals and expats with some working on laptops and enjoying their coffees.

I noticed their Probat 12kg coffee roaster housed in a glass enclosure for all to see. I found out from their barista that they roast every Tuesday. I went for a flat white using their Black Forest blend, even though it was late afternoon, having not had espresso-based coffee for days and a NY style cheesecake.

Yummy. Hints of chocolate and dried fruit around the edge of my tongue and the cheesecake was one my wife would have approved off.

Before finishing my coffee, Cody, the top barista came over to offer a Kenyan cold brew coffee.

I think she noticed that I was a bit more serious than other customers when I was asking questions about the coffee earlier, plus she spoke the best English as the others were a little puzzled when I started asking about flavour profiles.

I liked it so much that I wanted to buy a bag of beans and Cody was so excited that she rushed to the back to get me one, BUT sadly they had run out. I opted for her second recommendation, an Ethiopian Mansa, because it was a natural processed.

Cody pouring latteart

I took some videos for my Instagram reels and left.

Highly recommended when in Beijing.

I wandered around the art district as someone asked to check another coffee shop, which I didn’t find but I tried Manner coffee, which was okay and I saw %arabica, which had a cool décor but I find their beans to darkly roasted for me, so I didn’t bother.

Find them at China, Beijing, Chaoyang, 酒仙桥路4号北京798艺术区内邮政编码: 100102

August 25, 2025

Drinking Coffee in London Summer 2025 Edition

Yes, I was back in London last month in July after a family holiday in Morocco and I can’t wait to share with you my London specialty coffee adventures, especially as there were lots of new coffee shops opening and who said that opening coffee shops was a passing trend…. Hmmm! In summary, there appears to be a trend, where coffee brands from overseas like Dubai (previous post), Nairobi (yes, from Kenya, Africa) Asia and Europe are opening branches in London. I also got to revisit some of my faves, especially as they were very convenient on my way to explore London and visit friends.

The Barn Café, 36 Charlotte Street

Recently opened on Charlotte Street, just a few minutes’ walk off Oxford Street (Tottenham court road end and close to Goodge Street), Barn Berlin have decided to open a branch in bustling London – called The Barn Café (not Barn Berlin). A cozy escape, the décor is urban chic with exposed brick, with a natural feel, decked with wooden furniture and flooring to match I guess, their coffee bags too, reminding me of my coffee shop in Cape Town. They sue a La Marzocco two group linea machine with Victoria Arduino grinders. There’s some seating outside, which was perfect for the day I visited, as it was a warm sunny 30C day in London. However, I sat inside because I wanted to take pictures and videos and chat a little with their friendly staff, which I did. As I hadn’t had milk-based coffee that day, I ordered a flat white using their blend.

Well balanced.

They sell lots of their coffees, so you can drink and buy.

Spring Valley, 24 Camden Passage, Islington

I was excited to see this new coffee shop open in London just prior to my visit, but why you may ask. In short, I’ve known about this Kenyan coffee brand since 2018 and the prospect of an African brand opening in one of London’s most prestigious neighbourhood signaled to me two things, that an African F&B company have the bravery to open up in London and that a full on coffee shop will be offering Kenyan coffee on a regular basis. So, I went with my daughter on a very rainy Sunday and I was surprised about how busy the area was. More impressive, was the size of the shop. Decked with all the best gadgets that I had seen in Nairobi, like a La Marzocco Strada and Swan grinder.

I opted for a cappuccino with their dark roast, although I must confess, I would have preferred their medium roast but they had sold out already and that was at 11:30am. They also offer lots of merchandise to buy from Africa, of course and I can see them becoming a hub for the locals and British Africans too.

Frequency Specialty Coffee, 13 Camden Passage Islington

Not far from Spring Valley was what looked like a tiny coffee shop. However, as we entered up the stairs I later found out that Frequency has seating across 4 floors including a garden patio too. However, on a rainy day, we sat on the second floor as I downed my Brazilian cortado – tingling notes of dark chocolate on the outside of my tongue.

So good, that I bought a bag of their espresso beans to take back to Dubai too.

I went back later in the week with my brother and guess what, it was raining again but this time I had a V60, which was good too.

Zero to One, 19 Widegate, near Liverpool Street Station

We know that Vietnam is now the second largest producer of coffee in the World, but I’ve never been nor seen a Vietnamese specialty coffee shop before, until now – a stone throw away from Liverpool Street tube station – the hub of bankers, lawyers and the people who create wealth in London. My daughter actually recommended this spot, so I dropped by with my wife to try it out. Decked with a Kees van der Westen spirit espresso machine, operated by a friendly lady barista, I knew they meant business.

So, I opted for a cortado, using…. Guess what? A medium light roasted Vietnamese specialty robusta natural coffee bean, fermented with kefir (usually used to ferment yoghurt) – yes, a mouthful, but yes, a mouthful of goodness too. Yum!

They roast and sell their beans too, so if you fancy something different, then try them out.

So, where else did I go?

Well, I stopped over at some other tried and tested places, which I have written about before, like.

Kiss the Hippo on Margaret Street, near Oxford Street, which was actually my first specialty coffee stop. I had a well-balanced fruity V60 using Colombian Pink bourbon Arabica beans.

Urban Botanica Kennington to have a cortado, using a Rwanda natural brewed on their Kees van der Westen spirt espresso machine.

WatchHouse (Fitzrovia and Bond Street branches) to have delicious banana bread and batch brew and on another occasion, a flat white. I love the interiors and the attention to detail by the staff at this brand and you can usually can’t go wrong when you visit them. Did I mention that they have a loyalty customer app too?

The Shed at Clapham South underground station, who now use Assembly coffee (previously it was Caravan) for a quick cortado.

2 Love to Coffee House (St Johns Road, Clapham) Two for my last coffee fix, which was a flat white using their espresso blend – a delicious end to my London coffee adventures.

June 30, 2025

London Stop Over: Three Coffee shops

Always on the hunt for new coffee experiences when I stop over in London, I discovered two new places and share with you one of my to-go’s.

2 Love Coffeehouse, 89 St John’s Rd, London SW11 1QY

Located at the intersection of St Johns Road and Battersea Rise and almost 5-6 minutes’ walk from the busy Clapham Junction railway station is 2 Love Tea and Coffee – but their coffee offerings dominate their menu. I’ve actually been here a few times, as if I manage to sneak out of the house before the plan of the day has been agreed to, I can get a good flat white. As you enter, you are greeted with an array of cakes on your left-hand side that only those who hate cakes will ignore. I must confess, I have ignored these on a few occasions but have succumbed to their red velvet and carrot cake on others too.

London cakes

I usually stop here for a good flat white and often buy coffee to take back to Dubai too.

They have their own blends for espresso-based coffee but offer and sell Monmouth coffees and other London based roasteries too.

The Coffee Guild, 106 Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6AJ

On the occasion of our sons’ master’s graduation and after a long day with no specialty coffee, I was pleased to see this coffee shop on our way to the celebration dinner across the road. Whilst everyone walked onto the restaurant, I had to stop to get something, after spotting the La Marzocco Linea espresso machine – I sound like an addict… In any case it was worth it, a double espresso, just to get me through the rest of the day.

On our way back after dinner, my brother couldn’t help himself and ordered a latte and I bought a bag of their espresso blend.

Two things really stood out for me at this coffee shop.

First, when was the last time a coffee shop was open in England after 6pm? I can only think of one, Watch House in Bloomsbury, London. Puzzled, I asked the owner and he said they stay open until 11pm… yes, you read that right. I am almost positive that no other coffee shop stays open in England this late.

Secondly, the owner and his other staff were so friendly that I almost wanted to award them “the happiest coffee shop in England”. The joy they had in serving coffee and telling me that they open until 11pm was so amazing.

Highly recommend.

Treelogy Coffee, 50 Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, London W2 6LG

I must confess when a friend of mine from London suggested we meet here for coffee and a catch up, I was a bit sceptical – probably because of the name. I was on the verge of recommending somewhere else but because I knew we had a short window, I decided to look them up instead.

Yes, I saw pictures of latte art, but I wanted to know more. So, I got there a little earlier than my meeting to scan the place out. Unlike most London coffee shops, expect the elegant and sophisticated Watch House, most London coffee shops look very neighbourly, but this one looked very corporate as it was located at the bottom of a newish office block next to the newly revamped Paddington railway station. After observing the barista and checking out their coffee offerings, I ordered a cortado.

It was delicious and probably I shouldn’t judge a coffee shop by its flooring…. Ha!.

April 30, 2025

The Best Specialty Coffee in an Airport

Does the title of my post sound audacious (bold) ?

Perhaps, but although I don’t travel as much as I did during my regular trips to Africa, working for the UN, transiting through Dubai and London, as well as Johannesburg, I can tell you that I never had a pleasant coffee experience to the level of what I am accustomed to in specialty coffee shops and in my home.

It was always painful for my palate after working tirelessly for a week in a foreign country and rushing to the airport either in the early hours or late evening where all you wanted was just a good cup of “specialty” coffee – no, not just coffee, but specialty.

So, late last year, after speaking at an international conference on land degradation in Riyadh and avoiding hotel coffee, I noticed that I was dropped off at the new Terminal 4 at king Khalid airport. As I walked into the gate area, after security, I noticed a huge Starbucks right in front of the departure gates area – my heart sank – but before I could scream, I looked to my extreme right and noticed a familiar sign…

Camel Step

A smile came across my face

Yes, you may have heard about them as I blogged about them when I highlighted the best ten places to drink specialty coffee in Riyadh back in 2021.

I ran there as fast as I could to get my specialty coffee fix, which was I needed after an early start (my flight was at 9am, so I left the hotel before 7am).

Camel Step have been a mainstay for specialty coffee in Saudi Arabia for a while and source good coffees. They use a Dalla Corte espresso machine for their espresso-based coffees and sell snacks, pastries, cakes and coffee beans too. On my second visit,

On my first visit, I ordered a flat white.

Wow! Look at the latte art here.

I’m not sure about other specialty coffee shops in international airports but based on the above, I’m willing to bet that this is the best latte art at an airport, as not many baristi I have come across do this on a daily basis.

On my second visit, I also ordered a flat white too.

I also couldn’t resist picking up some Kenyan arabica beans, which I have been brewing on my Hario V60 recently and its delicious. I should highlight that if you buy a bag of coffee beans, they will give you a complimentary cup of black coffee (not a milk-based – I asked and they said no.

There’s also a small sitting area, which gets occupied quickly.

So, if you happen be transiting through King Khalid international airport, Riyadh and are lucky to be in terminal 4, I strongly recommend that you pop over toe Camel step for your specialty coffee fix and I think you won’t be disappointed.

What a great way to start your journey and day, good coffee.

March 31, 2025

VOTED TOP 50 COFFEE BLOG IN THE WORLD

I just wanted to thank Feedspot for letting me know that based on their analysis and data I’m in the top 50 coffee blog in the world… Yay!

If you don’t already know, I’ve now been blogging for almost 18 years and August 2025 will officially make it 18 years. Initially back in 2005 I started dreaming about opening a café and thought before I do that, I want to know everything there is to know about coffee. So, I started reading whatever books I could get hold off and was an avid reader of Coffee Geek – back then the number one coffee blog in the world. I even attended coffee conference (very few back then) and met James Hoffman, newly crowned World Barista Champion then and other champs to learn and quiz them about coffee. After amassing so much knowledge, I thought “why don’t I share this with the world” and that’s when I launched FROM COFFEE WITH LOVE – a testimonial to coffee writing you a letter about how to love the coffee bean.

Eventually in 2010 I did open a café in Cape Town called Escape Caffe, which I ran with lots of help and support from my wife for about 3 years… but that’s another conversation or perhaps a book. In any case I’ve written an entrepreneurial mindset course based on my experience, which covers soft and hard skills, financial planning, the secrets of running a coffee shop and more.

Top 50… wow!

I was at World of Coffee Dubai 2025

With Martin Wolf and Cypher Roastery staff

It always gets bigger and better in Dubai when it comes to events and the World of Coffee 2025 Edition followed suit. I only had the opportunity to attend one of the three days but still didn’t get to experience all the halls, perhaps that’s because I over COFFEE’D myself and lost count after my tenth cup – The emoji of distress 😫 comes to mind. In summary WOC Dubai is truly becoming a global coffee even and is here to stay by the looks of it, featuring all the coffee tools, suppliers, coffee farmers you can think off together with world champions gracing the stage and preparing coffee for you. Nevertheless, here’s a quick round up of my adventures;

Meeting Martin Wolf

Crowned recently as the World Brewers Champion, Martin used to make coffee for me at my fave coffee shop in Vienna, Austria, Balthasar, so not only was I pleasantly surprised to learn that he would be visiting but that I bumped in to him (pic with him at the top of my post) but that he got to brew coffee, which I got to taste again. What did I learn? That he uses the WDT for filter coffee (post on my Instagram).

Geisha Coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda Coffee Farm

The first time I tasted coffee from this world-famous coffee farm in Panama, which was award the most expensive coffee back in 2011, I had my café in Cape Town. The memory of that cup still lingers with me – jasmin earl grey blue flowers – sounds crazy but what an impression. So, I was happy to see the farmers brewing coffee at the Espresso Lab Stand and got to taste not 1, but 3 cups of coffee between naturals and washed…. YUM!

Bluewater

Wandering around near the competition stage, I bumped into Alexander from the company, who is based in Dubai and can be seen at Roast Trip in al Quoz. In summary as over 90% of coffee is water, getting the water right is paramount, so I was happy to chat and learn more about their new technology, which removes impurities, adding Swedish minerals, allowing you to alter TDS amongst other things when brewing your coffee. For example, you can alter the minerals for espresso or filter. As you know, with more water being used for filter, the water quality is very key. They also offer their device for the home too (tempting once I get a bigger pay cheque). Incidentally they won best new product of the year.

Ligre Espresso Machine

The owner, Lina Gronbach, reached out to me prior to WOC to ask me to visit their stand and check out their Ligre Youn espresso machine with a difference. She introduced me to their slick design, made with satin-finished anodized aluminium and which one could easily be mistaken as an automatic coffee machine, but the sleek wooden handle portafilter gives it away. Brewing can be done with just a few lever buttons at the top with options for both manual and automatic on offer and an “uber” style milk technology that froths perfectly micro foam too. A very aesthetically pleasing espresso machine costing just under EUR5,000 with its patented technology, and grinder to pair. Lina showed me how to use the machine and prepared an Italian style espresso. Growing in popularity in Germany amongst serious coffee snobs, it has already won gold at the German Design Award and the iF Design Award – no surprise there.

Coffees galore

I was happy to meet Khaled the Siphonist, whom I follow on Instagram and who was on hand to brew coffee using …. You guessed it a Siphon.

I also stopped over one of my fave coffee roasteries, Cypher, where I had their Palestina Coffee as my first milk based coffee.

I invited a friend of mine who is thinking of opening a coffee-based business to enjoy the atmosphere, which he did.

We wandered across many stalls including Kiss the Hippo, Grandmother, Subko and many more.

By far the largest stand was a coffee brand from Saudi Arabia, The Black Knight, where I met the CEO, who gave me not one, BUT 4 bags of coffee to take away. Very generous and customer focused no doubt.

So, that’s my round up of WOC2025 and I am already looking forward to the 2026 version, where I hope to attend more than one day insha’allah.

December 26, 2024

DRINKING COFFEE IN KIGALI, RWANDA

When I was invited to attend an international health conference for African ministers in Kigali, Rwanda in December, I was excited not just for the discussions ranging from preventative healthcare to AI and digital health but also for discovering another coffee country for the first time. Naturally, I ensured that my bookings allowed me to spend at least one full day after the event to check the sites, erm! By this I meant coffee shops. Prior to boarding the plane, I checked things to do in Kigali and was pleasantly surprised to learn that visiting Question Coffee was under the top 10. So, as soon as the conference finished on Thursday evening, I planned my Friday accordingly with the hotel, where I was able to lease a nice SUV for 3 hours for about $15 to visit at least two coffee shops.

Question Coffee

This is probably Rwanda’s most famous coffee shop with two branches in Kigali. It is billed as a social enterprise, supporting women coffee growers and receiving support both from Mastercard Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. It trains people in the coffee business, sources and roasts its own coffee too.

As my hotel was located in the more upmarket part of Kigali, known as Kiyovu, I headed to their newer branch in the neighbourhood, located at House number 31, KN 41 Street. In summary it is a converted house, which hosts a little enclave on the left as you enter, where their coffees are on sale, together with brewing gadgets.

Also on the wall, is a guide to their coffees based on growing region in Rwanda, cooperative processing method and brewing guide with flavour notes, so think dark chocolate, citrus, sweet, fully washed, ideal for aeropress and Hario V6o, which equals Mayogi, which is what I bought for my friend and I.

After leaving the enclave area, you can enter the main brewing area, decked with filter brewing equipment and a two group La Marzocco Linea espresso machine.

I was attended to by who brewed my cortado. After which I went onto the balcony and sat down to drink my coffee like an escapist.

In having a brief chat with the barista, who was very helpful, I learnt that Question Coffee have a much larger branch where you can witness their roasting operation and much more.

Kivu Noir

Located at 2 KG 668 Street, I‘m guessing this is also located in a nice area, although a little further away from Question Coffee, as I noticed impressive looking apartments amidst the construction of a few more. The driver also informed me that this area hosts some of the nice restaurants too. Entering this place, you could tell that the budget for the décor was generous. Located on a hill side – after all Rwanda is also known as the land of 1000 hills – this place was obviously popular with a few expats, with people on their laptops chatting with their friends or colleagues and artsy people too. As you enter, you are greeted with comfy chairs and some African art and books dotted around.

For coffee heads, you are greeted with a black Victoria Arduino Black Eagle espresso machine twinned with grinders too, with busy barista trying to get orders correct.

I liked their unusual cups and their attention to detail in pouring latte art.

I walked out to take in the view and waited for my double espresso as I had already had a milk-based coffee.

Also on offer at Kivu Noir is food and cakes and temptation got the hold of me, as I ordered what looked like the largest slice of lemon cake I’ve seen in a café to take away. Upon leaving I chatted with the head barista, Jummah, who had previously been working in the UAE, so we exchanged notes and he said that both Kivu Noir and Question Coffee were the best cafes in Kigali.

So, if you happen to visit Kigali, I recommend these two coffee shops to satisfy your specialty coffee thirst.

October 30, 2024October 30, 2024

I Was at Caffe Culture 2024

Wow! do you know the last time I attended this event? 2008 – 16 YEARS Ago. That sounds crazy BUT it’s been a while since I’ve been in London during this event.

Okay let’s rewind to 2006, when this event was launched. Back then it was the first and only coffee business event of its kind, where all businesses involved in setting up a coffee shop attended to show case their products from espresso machines, grinders, cups, spoons to tea suppliers, latte art classes and even cakes, plus there were lots of lectures on setting up and running a café. It was also the place that I met not one but TWO WBC champs, James Hoffmann (before he started Square Mile) and Stephen Morrisey – read more here. In fact, it was during my attendance at these events that I got the encourage to show my LOVE and set up my first and to date, only café – ESCAPE CAFFE, back in 2010 in Cape Town. So, you can say that this event has a special place in my Coffee heart.

Fast forward to 2024 and upon arriving in wet, rainy and cold London on 1 October – international coffee day – I knew that even with just 4 hours sleep on the plane I had to attend. So, off I went to the Business Design Centre in Islington. First up, the venue was a lot smaller than the original venue at Kensington Olympia, so when I walked in, I was a little underwhelmed, thinking where the people at …… Secondly, there were not that many world renowned espresso machine suppliers like before – I saw Rocket and Dalla Corte but I’m guessing this might be a sponsorship thing as before, there were a few brands on display. Thirdly, not many stands had people trying to give you coffee bags or free coffee like before.

However, they still have lectures by top experts and I missed the key ones like the one on “the 5 pound cappuccino” – we already have this in Dubai but for the UK it will be a shock.

However, all was not lost, as I met some coffee people and had some deep conversations as follows;

Barbara of Goldbox Roastery and Goldbox Dubai, who I had seen recently in Dubai and also here son, Luca, who won the UK brewers championship twice.

2. Kanye, Head Roaster at Kiss the Hippo, whom I had met earlier this year in Dubai. We chatted for a while and he made me two delicious coffees using their Fruitopia blend on the Eversys (a very expensive automatic machine made famous by Blank Street). Wow! the coffee really tasted like peach, yummy!

3. Tim Ridley, who interviewed me for a job in coffee in London way back in 2012 and started the now discontinued Department of Coffee and Social Affairs (the best name for a coffee shop). When he saw me he said “now here comes someone who knows how to taste coffee better than me…. Hmmm!). Tim knows a lot about the coffee business scene and so I was really intrigued to learn a few secrets from him…. Shhh!

4. Last but not least, Maxwell Colonna-Smalls, former UK barista champ, coffee expert extraordinaire and owner of Colonna Smalls. He was selling his latest book on “the business of specialty coffee” at a discount and signed, so I grabbed a coffee of course and got an espresso from his stand too.

What else did I do?

I got a flat white from a special dairy farm, Brades, where they produce milk with 4% fat content – now that’s rare and if you don’t believe me, next time you buy full fat milk, look at the fat content.

I also got some coffee bags from Dark Wood coffee owner/director, Paul Meikle-Janney, who has a long list of accolades, who has been involved in the World and the UK Barista Championships from the very start, as a Head Judge for both the World Latte Art and the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championships (after being a competitor and coming third in the World in 2006). As a board member of World Coffee Events in 2011/2012, he helped to organise the World Barista Championships. (source: darkwoods coffee website).

After about 3 hours, it was time to leave and get something to eat as I was all caffeineD up and had had some great conversations too.

In summary it was great to be back after 16 years and to see the evolution of the event but I think with so many coffee events like the London Coffee Festival, Caffe Culture has evolved to be a space for coffee B2B but still draws some coffee nerds too.

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