Full of Beans: Roasting Plant Coffee Launch
3-minute read
Does London really need another coffee shop? Well yes, actually, if it’s Roasting Plant Coffee.
The Borough High Street store is a real triumph. Part convenience, part theatre, but all flavour. STORMBRANDS ventured out to the launch party last week, and we’re all totally sold. We’re a varied bunch; discerning connoisseurs, the highly caffeinated, and entry-level rookies, but we all left impressed and full of beans.
It’s unusual to describe a busy coffee shop as theatrical. Enter, the Javabot, a patented coffee roasting machine. The Javabot facilitates the creation of ‘the only fresh in all of London’ with a flourish of winding tubes and blue lights. The company has enjoyed success across their USA sites and are now digging their roots into London. I’m glad to report that the Javabot has both style and substance. We all tried different coffees and played around with various blends, enjoying watching our chosen beans shoot through the various tubes arranged across the ceiling and walls of the store.
Coffee blending is both an art and a science, but here it feels accessible, due in part to the team who are always on hand to advise, without any performative coffee snobbery. Just real people, serving real good coffee. We were encouraged to explore in a cool, relaxed environment and it felt great to see the creation process, presented to us in such a – quite literally – transparent and engaging way. It’s a real treat for the senses.
Respect to the craft, the coffee suppliers and their customers is refreshingly tangible, the staff warm and sincere. It is clear that they are both excited and proud to be on the front line, and rightly so! My favourite? A mug of the 100% shade-grown, full ‘n thick roast from the Kopepi Ketiara Coop in Indonesia. Founded by a woman, produced by women, and 100% traceable, it’s arguably as ethical as it is tasty.
The food does not play second fiddle to the coffee by any means. Honourable mention to the vegan New York Deli toastie. The lovely barista told me it was one of his first and it was delicious, perfectly capable of winning over even the most ardent omnivore. Kudos! Worth the trip alone, I had two.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for the transatlantic team, here at Storm, and wish them every success with their UK launch. Roasting Plant Coffee can be found at 4 Borough High Street SE1 9QQ, and its doors opened on the 16th January. Better make this your regular, quick sharp.
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