Smell the coffee

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Posted at 4:23PM, 29 May 2008 by Holly Jones - Former researcher, bbcgoodfood.com

I, like many, am hooked on the smell of a fresh pot of coffee but am frequently disappointed by my order at a coffee house. Horrible airy froth and luke-warm milk, don't, in my mind, equal good value for money. Urgh!

However, over the last few years, coffee has moved on. And so has our knowledge. We now know the difference (well nearly) between a latte and an Americano. We know it's an Espresso, not an expresso (come on, we've all done it). We know that we can get, half-fat, soya, chai, caramel shot, or a mocha - and that's just to start - I haven't ever quite figured out what a Macchiato is.

But is it good coffee? Not always. My pet hate is over-frothed milk and warm coffee that needs drinking before you've even sat down. Most coffee now seems Americanised, cheap chains with Italian names that make novice coffee drinkers think that's the best coffee can be. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I want an authentic Italian coffee with an aroma to tease my senses.

So when I heard that a new, all Italian coffee shop was opening, I wondered if I would be faced with yet another watery, warm cappuccino? Or would it actually be anything special?

This isn't something you would walk into Starbucks and order. This was like a magical dessert in a glass...

Well actually, yes. Ca'puccino is an all-Italian company that has just crossed the channel and opened in Harrods. Initially this put me off, Harrods is such a tourist trap. But having not been for a while I found it quite a magical experience. The food hall alone is worth a visit.

Ca'puccino is a small coffee house situated in the basement of Harrods and is the real deal. All ingredients are shipped in from Italy and coffee is sourced from independent growers, giving the small chain flexibility to go with what tastes best. Specialising in authentic coffees from Italy's different regions, Ca'puccino has some stunners to choose from. The Bicerin from Turin which was enjoyed by Italy's first Prime Minister; The Bacio di Dama which means lady's kiss; and my favourite - the drinkable Tiramisu. Wow.

This isn't something you would walk into Starbucks and order. This was like a magical dessert in a glass. Creamy mascarpone, with a savoiardo biscuit floating on top, dusted with cocoa - which you get all round your mouth. All floating on top of espresso. Yum.

But it's not all fancy coffees. They also make the perfect cappuccino - made by the champion Italian barista. There are no frothy, air-filled cups here - just beautifully creamy coffee. All accompanied by traditional sandwiches and pastries to die for. I am dreaming of going back and losing myself in their hazelnut ice cream - it was perfection.

If you are a true coffee lover and are in London, I'd recommend it. Rest your feet, grab a menu and try your best to decide what to have. Bellissimo.

Comments

Elaine

30 May 2008, 5:48AM
Elaine

Good coffee is certainly hard to find in London, and in most other British cities. I think the problem is that most of the coffee on offer is from large chains, so there's often a lack of passion about the product - they're just churning it out. I lived in Australia for a few years, where there are very few coffee/cafe chains in the cities - in fact there were many local protests when big chains tried to move in. Most cafes took pride in their coffee and it was consistently good. My tip in London is the aprostrophe cafe in St Christopher's Place. Quite small but never had a bad coffee, and it's a little haven from the bustle of Oxford St.

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Andrea

30 May 2008, 10:00AM
Andrea

I know I might be accused of being biased but I absolutely agree with Elaine that the coffee in Australia is across the board is so much better. Baristas really take pride in their coffee, and a substandard brew is not tolerated! There's a place in Soho called Flat White - it's featured in the latest issue of olive mag - and it's run by Aussies and it's good! Look forward to trying out the new place in Harrods, sounds fab.

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Gayns

30 May 2008, 6:04PM
Gayns

The Monmouth Coffee house is a great little coffee shop on Monmouth Street in Covent Garden. They roast their own coffee and it is a little haven away from the bustle of shopping.Always worth seeking out - the best coffee house I have ever come across!!

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James

2 June 2008, 4:08PM
James

The best cappuchino I've had outside was in Harrods too - at one of the bars in the food hall (before ca'puccino came).

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Stuart

5 June 2008, 2:10AM
Stuart

A well timed article, Holly! I've gained a new appreciation for coffee since I arrived in Melbourne. In this city Starbucks is to coffee what McDonalds is to fine dining. Nowhere else in the world do people take their coffee so seriously. I mean *nowhere*. Nowhere else are baristas venerated in such a manner, do office workers grind beans at their desks or is freeze dried coffee is the source of such distain. Nescafe? Bah humbug! Unless the milk has been warmed to perfection, the coffee ground correctly and the foam smooth and creamy, it's not worth drinking! For a great coffee, try Degraves Espresso or Pellegrini's Espresso Bar. :)

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