Interesting read! Yes, Hong Kong's espresso culture is underdeveloped and both the beans and coffee used are among the limiting factors. There are a few places in town that have been recommended by members here that I have yet to try.
Starbucks and PCC both have pretty atrocious coffee. I do know of a place in Wanchai that serves Illy coffee, but again, pre-ground, prepackaged stuff shipped all the way from Italy doesn't hold a candle to fresh roasted and ground beans. I'm personally a French Press kind of guy, mainly because I like to be able to taste the origin characteristics in my single origin beans, which are lost when coffee is roasted to the level used for espresso. My beans are always freshly roasted (never more than two weeks from roasting) and ground right before brewing.
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19-09-2007, 11:56 PM #11
Last edited by jayinhongkong; 19-09-2007 at 11:58 PM.
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20-09-2007, 12:17 AM #12
Well if you ever want to try some coffee's that I am more in tune with, and both suppliers I am about to mention will roast the morning that they despatch your order. So with airfreight and logistics considered, you'll have 3 day old roast, and for 30% less ( inc the freight ) than what they sell branded pre packaged rubbish here.
www.havana.co.nz Paul is NZ's best roaster, and a pretty accomplished barista, being the original owner of Fidels cafe in Wellington, well known in NZ as the best cafe in the country.
Next, www.amanti.com.au Bernard Goston is one of the best, and a favourite of mine, I get friends who live near his office to send me 1.5kg tins of his genius. But he'll probably supply you online.
The thing that you notice most about both of these companies, is they are not in it for the money, they do what they do because they are brilliant at what they do, and what they have contributed within the coffee industry, by maintaining traditional standards... They are also responsible, for why StarBucks in AUS/NZ, and the like, arent really doing that well there, compared to HK, where Starbucks just exploded onto the scene.... While HK is obsessed with brand names, and while the landlords squash any chance for dedicated small high quality cafe practitioners to get the opportunity to promote their coffee skill, I doubt that HK will ever be a cafe mecca.. its just not their bag.... Sometimes you just have to accept that the culture dictates how things are here, allowing those of us who yearn much better, to buy our own equipment, import our own coffee from credible specialist roasters, and make our own cup of heaven
.Last edited by Skyhook; 20-09-2007 at 12:23 AM.
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20-09-2007, 01:41 AM #13
Funny that you posted up about Havana. I've been in touch with them recently about getting some of their Cuban coffee. Supposed to be outstanding. Unfortunately, they won't ship a pound to HK, but they do supply a cafe in Beijing.
1.5 kg tins eh? I never buy more than a lb at a time, simply because I hate the loss of aroma that occurs over time. I have a 14 oz bag winging its way over from Costa Rica right now (http://www.cafecristina.com). Doesn't get much fresher than that. Roasted right where it's grown.
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20-09-2007, 09:30 AM #14
You gotta use your head bro, encourage the company that you work for to buy an office grade coffee machine, and buy the coffee you like OS at a good price and use what you need for home. Something for the office suggestion box
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As long as you take responsibility for the cleaning of that area and fill the bean hopper up Jay, you will be popular in the office... Excellent Morale boost.
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20-09-2007, 09:38 AM #15
Considering I work from home, the only person who needs convincing is me.
I have my own burr grinder and I have no desire for a coffee machine at this time. I have a maid to clean the 'area' and I get freshly roasted coffee weekly, so I'm doing alright.
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