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This month, Jersey’s anonymous, independent, unpaid and unrepentant food critic turns his attention to assessing the island’s coffee houses.
Harry Smiles had this to say, ahead of his return to the office…
Jonathan Larson had the right idea when he included ‘cups of coffee’ in the list of ways to measure a year in ‘Seasons of Love’. Making a cup of coffee is one of the first things I do when I get up and we’ve all had one of those days where it all seems to go downhill, after something in the brewing process goes wrong.
One of the things I’ve missed the most whilst working from home - apart from the company of my colleagues - has been regular visits to local cafés for a cup of joe. I obviously know I can get my caffeine supply from the comfort of my own home (yes, I know how to handle a kettle without burning myself) but wouldn’t you agree there is nothing like a professionally brewed coffee?
There are many places in Jersey to get your coffee from, but as we all know not all coffees are created equal. As we all look forward to coming back to the office - hopefully this month - I have been thinking about which coffee and cafés I have missed the most...
Cooper’s has been a firm favourite of mine for a while now. Their coffee is excellent and so is their food selection. I am by no means a coffee expert, so wouldn’t know where to start in describing it, but there is definitely a nutty aroma floating in there that tickles my tastebuds in the best way.
For me, a good coffee does not stop at the brew - I cannot stand black coffee. You need just the right amount of steamed milk to let the flavours shine whilst enjoying a light touch of froth. I am personally partial to lattes and, for the days I am feeling fancy, cappuccinos, and both require a particular alchemy between steamed milk and foamed milk. (Before you ask, yes there is a difference between the two and yes, you can definitely tell!)
Having worked as a barista myself, I envy the skills of the baristas at The Yard because I would never have been able to serve a perfect latte like the one above. Can you feel the fluffiness of this milk froth? It was like a little cloud in my mouth!
Dandy’s in Colomberie has saved many of my ‘remote working’ morning slumps by providing decadent cappuccinos like the one pictured.
You know what’s my favourite thing about a cappuccino? Scooping up the foam at the bottom of the cup after I have drunk the last of my coffee.
Dandy certainly have nailed the milk foaming process and there’s never a short supply of foam to enjoy.
Another one of my favourites, which I haven’t visited in far too long, so long I have no recent pictures of their amazing coffee.
I love their coffee, I love their chai tea, I love their hot chocolate, smoothies and every other of their drinks, as well as their cakes, sandwiches and the cups themselves (yes, I am sad like that, but I really like their design).
We are lucky to have so many different places to get our coffee fix from and this is only a small selection of my faves, and there are probably many more to drink from still. I have sung my praise for The Deli previously, but I would be remiss not to mention them as they definitely deserve an honourable mention, as well as ‘Barista by the Beach’ which has one of the best views in my book.
So many coffees, so little time.
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