Anyone who loves coffee and is extremely serious about it would tell you that the normal coffee chain’s cuppa Joe doesn’t quite cut it.
Coffee enthusiasts know that quality does not simply arise from a pretty presentation (although that certainly matters). True coffee aficionados will care about the whole experience of coffee; from bean origins, to the way the coffee is made, to the quality of the equipment.
These are establishments that offer coffee subscription services, and sell a variety of coffee equipment and products, to allow for a continuation of the curated coffee experience from the comfort of one’s own home.
Relationships are the core of Nylon coffee’s story and philosophy. This is clearly carried through with their origin trips to build stronger ties with their workers and partners every year. With an emphasis on transparency along the coffee chain, they reveal where each blend is sourced from, the regions in which the beans are cultivated, the conditions in which the coffee seeds are processed, and the altitude at which they are grown.
This plethora of information comes with the express purpose of highlighting that origins and seasonality of bean growth and harvest can affect the taste of the coffee itself. Their rotating menu and filter coffee subscription service surely work to showcase this fact.
For the circuit breaker period, Nylon coffee also released two brewing guides on their IGTV in which they featured a few of their coffee products and how to use them.
#01-40, 4 Everton Park; tel: 6220-2330
Let’s switch this up a little and talk about Japanese specialty coffee. From a homeware store selling Japanese crafted home products, this establishment, founded by former Goldman Sachs banker, Yozo Otsuki, became an international coffee business with a focus on Japanese crafted coffee and equipment. They now have 25 branches all over the world.
With a claim that Japanese mentality and care toward the art of coffee matches no other, Kurasu specialises in the Japanese way of coffee. Their beans are roasted in Japan by artisan roasters, and they sell specially design coffee equipment that bear the signature clean and minimalist style.
#02-01 Odeon Towers
(Read also “The Coffee Lover’s Complete Guide To Becoming The Home Barista You’ve Always Wanted To Be“)
PPP Coffee’s philosophy of “connecting people with coffee” comes as no surprise given its extensive and meticulous effort in providing information and education about coffee to Singapore and Malaysia. PPP Coffee offers an immersive experience in coffee.
From the coffee itself, to equipment, to ingredients, to origin information, to subscriptions, to recipes, to posters and books, PPP Coffee seems to truly encompass what coffee culture. One can even gain certification in various coffee skills by the Specialty Coffee Association by taking one of PPP’s courses.
#02-19 Funan; tel: 6299-4321
Much like their name suggests, Homeground Coffee Roasters is an establishment founded by brewers dedicated to spreading that message that “The best brew is by you”. They believe that the best cup of coffee is one that is individually curated to suit one’s own taste, and their mission is to go along on that journey of discovery.
As such, Homeground offers a wide variety of coffee products from drip bags, to filter coffee, to expressos, to specialized brewista kettles, to their own concentrate series, and even origami drippers that come in different colours. Everything on their website encourages one to experiment with their own coffee experience, including providing a variety of brew kits, brew guides, and subscription services for both filter and espresso coffee.
475 Joo Chiat Road; tel: 9027-2665
Ever wanted to know all the skills of coffee making, without having to get a job as a barista? Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) Academy has got you covered. Not only does this company produce and sell good coffee, but they also teach you how to make it as they do. At the CMCR Academy, there are many workshops for both the knowledge and practice of coffee, teaching latte art, fundamental barista skills, and cupping.
Common Man focuses on the wholesale of coffee, making sure every aspect of the process is up to standard. This includes quality control systems for roasting, strong relationships with companies that hand-build their espresso machines, and even cups that are specifically designed for the specialty coffee industry.
#01-00, 22 Martin Road; tel: 6836-4695
This article was first published in The Peak.