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The Coffeevine’s second coffee lovers’ tour

The Coffeevine’s second coffee lovers’ tour

Exploring the best places for great coffee in the center of Amsterdam - by bike

After the first successful The Coffeevine walking tour in July 2013, it was clear to me that there are enough eager coffee lovers out there to keep organizing these fun days out. Last time we were huffing and puffing and reaching dangerous caffeine levels in our blood streams by the time we reached the last place thus, to cover greater distances and to visit a very different set of specialty coffee shops, I arranged a bike tour. Maybe a bit more Amsterdam? Definitely.

When I set the date I had completely forgotten that the 1st of September also meant that the Westergasterrein would be hosting the monthly Sunday market. Consequently the area was busy busy busy but with a great vibe. I decided to start the tour at Espressofabriek because as one of the first specialty coffee shops in the city, one that also roasts its own coffee, Espressofabriek has been bringing great coffee to the city since 2005.

As the group got together I felt really honoured to welcome so many interesting and enthusiastic people, all of whom share a love for coffee that is fueled by different passions ranging from pure curiosity to the plan of opening a specialty coffee shop somewhere.

Eager coffee lovers ready for the second The Coffeevine tour - by bike!
Eager coffee lovers ready for the second The Coffeevine tour – by bike!

To kick the day off, we enjoyed a delicious Espresso from Costa Rica, which offered a slightly chocolatey taste with a lovely velvety finish and then popped upstairs to the roasting facilities of Espressofabriek to discuss the significance of the roasting process and how it greatly influences what you end up getting in your cup. Luckily, we could even see little display of beans from green bean all the way to a dark roast. After explaining the way the beans go in at the top and come out after being roasted and are cooled down, we got our bikes and got ready for the next destination: Lot Sixty One Espresso Bar in the Jordaan.

Initially, I had hoped we could all sample a lovely Flat White at this cute little place since it is owned by a coffee fanatic Aussie who works with other coffee fanatic Aussies and a few coffee fanatic Dutch guys. Unfortunately it turned out the lovely Kees van der Westen Espresso machine that normally decorates the wooden bar was currently loaned out to a new partner and the small La Marzocco replacement machine didn’t have enough steam power to make them Flat Whites. Luckily, Paul quickly took control of the situation. With his captivating Aussie way he pulled out 3 single origins and set up a little pour over demonstration. On the left we had a Brazilian coffee, in the middle a Mexican coffee and on the right a new Rwandan coffee. What I particularly loved about this part was that Paul offered a very clear guide on how to brew a perfect cup of coffee at home. 3 of my guests even got a chance to do the pour overs themselves. I think what every one was quite surprised with was how the coffees that resulted from the pour over method were so smooth and aromatic that they resembled teas. Afterwards I often heard that the Mexican coffee was the majority’s favourite.

Mike presenting his goodies
Paul presenting his goodies

Our next destination was the Screaming Beans Coffee Bar in the Jordaan. As was to be expected the place was packed on this slightly cool Sunday afternoon and there might have been some confusion as to which location we were coming to but the Baristas on duty quickly got out the Syphon and asked for a vote on which coffee the group wanted to try. The winner was the unwashed Ethiopian Lekempti. Taking a good 15 minutes to heat up and produce the coffee, the Syphon is not necessarily the best option when you’re on a tight schedule but it’s just soooo fancy. I love how the red heat lamp heats up the water and how it bubbles up and then comes back down as a delicious coffee. But in the words of the Barista: “It’s such a volatile brewing method that it always somehow comes out slightly different.” As we left, James from Screaming Beans said to me: “I am really proud of you mate. This is awesome stuff.” I almost blushed.

We continued on to our next destination, Koko Coffee & Design where we finally got to enjoy our Flat Whites. When we arrived it was only Caroline who was there and making 14 Flat Whites while also attending to other customers proved to be a bit of a mission. Then, as if I had sent her telepathic messages, Karlijn rocked up to lend a helping hand. I had tweeted her actually but I’d like you to think that I have an otherwordly connection to my coffee partners. She also showed us how to make an Espresso with the Strietman ES2, which is a rather complex wall mounted device. Koko is one of the first specialty coffee shops in Amsterdam that combines great coffee with fashion and music. Set up by two former school friends who wanted to go it alone, Koko opened its doors about 1 year ago in what is slowly but surely becoming a very hipster red light district. After the city embarked on a cleaning up mission, the area, which was home to my first flat when I moved here 6 years ago, has undergone an enormous change and Koko got in there just in time. The girls work with Caffenation from Antwerp and do both Espresso based coffees and slow coffees. After a little browse around the shop and a few slices of cake we settled the bill and headed for our last destination of the afternoon. Quartier Putain.

The beans we enjoyed at Lot Sixty One
The beans we enjoyed at Lot Sixty One

Located opposite the Oude Kerk and left to a series of red light windows, Quartier Putain is literally in the thickett of it. Their main focus is coffee but due to the link with local label Top Notch, which is located upstairs, they also host record release parties and live music. Erik and his team had prepared a few (wine!!!) glasses of two special coffees that he had been given by a friend who had recently visited El Magnifico in Barcelona. We were presented with a single origin from Costa Rica and one from Papua New Guinea. In all fairness, it’s always a bit tough when you’re the last stop on the tour because everyone is highly caffeinated but the way Erik presented the coffee was really something special. I was a bit afraid the glass might pop so maybe as an idea serve iced coffees in those wine glasses instead. Now that would be classy.

In hindsight I still cannot believe what a wonderful afternoon it was and how many people showed interest for the tour and the places we visited. I think it’s truly special to enjoy this support and I will continue with my quest to help people in  Amsterdam and beyond with finding great coffee! Thanks to everyone who came and all the baristas for entertaining the crowds. You people rock!

Here’s a list of places that we visited and the things we tasted or did:

  • Espressofabriek a shot of Espresso – Costa Rica, own roast
  • Lot Sixty One: 3 single origin pour overs, own roasts (Rwanda, Mexico and Brazil)
  • Screaming Beans: a cup of traditional Syphon – Ethiopia – Lekempti (unwashed), by private label
  • Koko Coffee&Design: Flat White – Little Green Bag, Caffeenation
  • Quartier Putain: 2 single origin pour overs, by El Magnifico (Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea)

You can find reviews of all places that were visited on this tour by clicking here

Karlijn showing off the ES2
Karlijn showing off the ES2
Demonstration of the Syphon
Demonstration of the Syphon
Having a go at doing the pour over
Having a go at doing the pour over
At Koko's
At Koko’s

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Femi
10 years ago

this is absolutely awesome! when is the next one and how do I sign up? I’d love to join

thecoffeevine
10 years ago
Reply to  Femi

Hi Femi

thanks for your comment! If you like my Facebook page you can stay up to date on all future events. There will be lots!
Regards

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