Coffee in New Zealand

[ackers]

Just got back from an extended holiday in Dunedin on the South island. Every where I went I had a superb coffee (excluding the usual high street vendors), even the mobile units miles away on a remote beach took the time and trouble to brew a good cup. The place that really stood out was called The Strictly Coffee Co, its in a side street off the Octagon. It's only small and seems to have a dedicated clientele, they roast their own beans in the back of the cafe so you get that evocative smell of fresh beans as soon as you walk in. They don't serve food except for the usual muffins, no loud background music, just a nice place to relax and have a good coffee.
The worst place was when we had a couple of days in Los Angeles on the way back, not only is it the worst airport in the world, but LA seems to be the training ground for Starbucks baristas.

[Raf]

You didn't go to Peet's or Urht Café in LA (Santa Monica)? I had semi-decent espressi there.

[fiend]

I'm trying to refrain from talking about the coffee here, as it is a European forum after all, and it seems mean to go on about it. Mind you, NZ has suprisingly good economic and cultural (if not geographic) reasons for joining the EU.

Perhaps I could just talk about the weather and local microbreweries. Right now it's got to be about 30 degrees or more, and I'm about to get myself a Monteiths Summer Ale.

[Joris]

Perhaps I could just talk about the weather and local microbreweries. Right now it's got to be about 30 degrees or more, and I'm about to get myself a Monteiths Summer Ale.

Yeah yeah, rub it in.... we're freezing our *sses off here....

[ackers]

Raf, we were in the Anaheim district, I suppose I am being a bit unfair to the coffee scene in LA as I only sampled a couple of places. To tell the truth I spent 2 days walking around like a zombie, I've been to the bottom of the world a few times but always went via the Far East, this time we went via the good old US of A and got hit by jet lag big time.

Fiend, I tried to buy some green beans to bring back with me but when I asked all I got was blank looks and a 'why do you want green beans when I can roast them for you'. Is there a home roast culture out there or are you a one off.

Sorry, have I gone off topic, does it need moving to the Off Topic forum.

[leecb]

As another NZer I can tell you I never really came across home roasting in NZ tho' that may have changed. Cafe culture is really a recent phenomenon there, but it has been taken to the proverbial heart like there is no tomorrow!
In around 1990 (I think, maybe a little earlier) the rules were changed allowing cafes to have outside seating and the whole coffee thing took off.
But NZ is a culture well suited to small enterprise which suits micro-roasters well, most people have access to good quality roasted coffee, and there are not that many chains.
I'm not sure they even have Starbucks (probably being hopeful there!)
Off now to watch Chelsea finish hammering Everton...

[fiend]

Funny you should mention green beans, as I am in the process of trying to find some right now for a friend. Like you say there are plenty of boutique roasters, usually with their own blend, but often with a few single origins. Unfortunately they don't usually give much of a 'back story' on the beans, and I am distrustful of anyone who sells 'Kenyan' as a single origin. Perhaps I've just been spoiled by the bean merchant up north that we don't mention by name.

If you're curious about what you're missing out on, and thought the only reason to go to NZ was for the LOTR, then here's a few random links:

http://www.espressoworkz.co.nz/edencoffee.htm
http://www.alturacoffee.co.nz/shop/Coff ... n3AyQ.html
http://www.venicoffee.com/

[Trebor]

Funny you should mention green beans, as I am in the process of trying to find some right now for a friend. Like you say there are plenty of boutique roasters, usually with their own blend, but often with a few single origins. Unfortunately they don't usually give much of a 'back story' on the beans, and I am distrustful of anyone who sells 'Kenyan' as a single origin. Perhaps I've just been spoiled by the bean merchant up north that we don't mention by name.

If you're curious about what you're missing out on, and thought the only reason to go to NZ was for the LOTR, then here's a few random links:

http://www.espressoworkz.co.nz/edencoffee.htm
http://www.alturacoffee.co.nz/shop/Coff ... n3AyQ.html
http://www.venicoffee.com/

mate where did you live! I haven't found better coffee since leaving NZ!

[Trebor]

Just got back from an extended holiday in Dunedin on the South island. Every where I went I had a superb coffee (excluding the usual high street vendors), even the mobile units miles away on a remote beach took the time and trouble to brew a good cup. The place that really stood out was called The Strictly Coffee Co, its in a side street off the Octagon. It's only small and seems to have a dedicated clientele, they roast their own beans in the back of the cafe so you get that evocative smell of fresh beans as soon as you walk in. They don't serve food except for the usual muffins, no loud background music, just a nice place to relax and have a good coffee.
The worst place was when we had a couple of days in Los Angeles on the way back, not only is it the worst airport in the world, but LA seems to be the training ground for Starbucks baristas.

have just finished the last of my coffee I brought back from Strictly coffee. boo next time you are in dunnos follow moray place around to Mazogram - even better!