Singaporeans are getting behind coffee culture and are willing to go a long way for the perfect brew. To celebrate International Coffee Day on 1 October, we’ve picked five great coffee destinations, guaranteed to inspire the coffee connoisseurs out there.
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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Enjoy the variety of coffee styles
If you’re an adventurous coffee aficionado, head to Ho Chi Minh City to discover the perfect coffee concoction. A legacy of the French rule, colonists introduced the drink to the locals in the mid-19th century. Decades on, Vietnamese coffee has its own, unique methods of preparation and presentation.
Known to be both strong and flavourful, traditional Vietnamese coffee is typically prepared with a French drop filter, which results in a dark and strong brew that is usually accompanied with sweetened condensed milk. Try some of the unique pairings, including coffee & yoghurt (Sua Chua Ca Phe) and coffee & eggs (Ca Phe Trung), which is considered to be a liquid take on the Italian classic dessert, tiramisu. Our cafe tip: Càfê RuNam – local roasters who know everything there is to know about Vietnamese coffee styles.
Wellington, New Zealand: The home of the perfect flat white
If you’re after for the finest flat white, look no further than Wellington. Arguably the birthplace of this milky coffee, Wellington’s flat whites are simultaneously energising and delicious. If you’re not familiar with this fine beverage, a flat white consists of espresso balanced with hot steamed milk, yet lacks the frothy characteristics of a cappuccino and is typically stronger than a latte.
The origins of this drink have been the subject of debate between Australians and New Zealanders for many years. Fraser McInnes, a former barista at the renowned Café Bodega in Wellington, claims to have created the drink as a result of a failed attempt at a cappuccino for a customer in 1989. McInnes blames the milk for not having enough fat to froth it properly for a cappuccino at that time. Whether or not you believe this to be the true origin story, Wellington still offers the best places for travellers to experience New Zealand’s finest coffee-culture export.
Helsinki, Finland: For those willing to travel far and wide
While Helsinki may be known to most of you for its picturesque scenery, a little-known fact is that Finland consumes the most amount of coffee in the world per capita** and is fast establishing itself as an international coffee destination. The Finnish capital is the hub of Nordic coffee roasting, and we recommend checking out Good Life Coffee in the hip Kallio district. Your coffee cred’ will go through the roof after this trip.
Melbourne, Australia: The place to be for every coffee lover
The destination every self-confessed coffee enthusiast needs to visit is Melbourne. It’s home to some of the best cafes in the world, so much so that you can even experience this city through dedicated cafe tours. With an espresso culture that has a long and proud history, Melbourne is at the cutting edge of sourcing, roasting and brewing speciality coffee, with filter-style brews and single origin espresso on many cafe menus, meaning there is something for every coffee drinker. Our tip: check out Industry Coffee in Fitzroy and caffeinate away while downing cup after cup of the good stuff.
Vancouver, Canada: Savour a cup of coffee ethically
Singaporean travellers who want to make sure that the coffee in their hands is ethically sourced should head to Vancouver to get their fix. One great example of this coffee movement, The Ethical Bean, is run by owners who not only produce a great cup of coffee, but also educate consumers on how their coffee is sourced. While quality coffee can be an expensive hobby to pursue, not many coffee enthusiasts realise that while they are paying at least SGD20 a pound for premium coffee, many farmers in developing countries get paid a fraction of that amount. Between cups, have a chat with the cafe owners, who are happy to educate you on ethically sourced coffee. Then sit back and enjoy the next cup with a little more peace of mind.
*Flight prices are based on searches made on KAYAK.sg on 20th September 2016 for travel between 1 and 8 October 2016 and are per person for a return economy class ticket. Prices are subject to change, availability may be limited or offers may no longer be available.
**Information taken from http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/top-10-coffee-consuming-nations.html
