Coffee culture

I enjoyed a really friendly neighbourhood McMillan coffee morning yesterday. It was great to meet some new locals and the cakes were delicious and of course, merited a generous donation but I have to say, the coffee wasn’t great. I feel somewhat confident in saying that as I have just returned from a week’s stay in the capital of coffee, Seattle. There really is a coffee shop and/or restaurant and/or bakery with coffee service on every corner and more. With all of its districts, Seattle stretches far and wide with hundreds of small scale micro-roasteries brewing, mixing and serving to satisfy the appetites of the fast growing techie population as well as us curious visitors. And goodness, the coffee is good. Everyone knows that the Daddy of the long tall latte, Starbucks, was born in Seattle. I’ve warmed to their story having visited their original 1970s store in Pike Place Market as well as their Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill. Having gained large scale loving (and some loathing) around world, Starbucks have had to up their game in the city of their birth to complete with all the enterprising and inventive new coffee kids on the block. The small guys led the way, telling everyone about their ethically sourced coffee from traceable origins, concentrating on quality rather than quantity. Even though we didn’t drink much Starbucks coffee, preferring instead the novelty of the independent barista, it was good to learn more about Starbucks sourcing and roasting, their conservation accreditation scheme and support for coffee farmers around the world. Anyone for a Hazelnut Bianco Latte or maybe a Cardamom Long Black? Crikey, no thanks! These days, mine’s a single source Americano with a splash of hot milk on the side.