Chances are, if you’re in London, you’re a coffee drinker. If you’re reading this article, I suspect that coffee – be it instant or specialty – might be a routine part of your life. Perhaps you’ve already heard of London’s third wave coffee, too, but have you ever stopped to consider that the coffee you drink might not be the best for you, the people involved, or the environment? In this article, we will cover three great reasons why you should make the conscious choice to switch.
WHAT IS LONDON’S THREE WAVES OF COFFEE?
In a nutshell, the first wave of coffee refers to commodity coffee – think Nescafe or Kenco – which are, generally, of the lowest quality, and are designed solely for convenience. The second wave is made mass market by cafes like Starbucks, where drinks are widely flavoured, and though customer experience is honoured, the beans themselves are not the main focus. Third wave coffee, on the other hand, sees coffee making as artistry, giving particular care to sourcing as well as brewing, and most importantly, treats every person involved, from farmers, baristas, to customers, with equal importance and dignity. Ready to know more?
WHAT IS THE THIRD WAVE COFFEE MOVEMENT?
London’s Third Wave coffee can be found in the newest generation of roasters (like Shaman) and these are just some of the marked differences:
1. EMPHASIS ON FLAVOUR
When it comes to wine, many might know that grapes from different vineyards have varied aromas, taste, and quality – but what about coffee? What if coffee beans are also similarly nuanced? 3rd wave coffee is an exploration of just that. At roasters like Shaman, coffee is rich and flavourful. Beans used are also organic, minimally processed, and thus, without any additives harmful to your body. And just like sampling fine wine compared to house wine, you’ll never want to drink another cup of instant coffee again!
2. ORIGIN TRANSPARENCY
As before, third wave coffee roasters use coffee beans that are traceable, not only to its place of origin, but also to their growers, who, in the past, are never treated with human dignity or given a fair wage. Third wave coffee aims to change just that. Now, with every cup purchased, a fair amount goes directly to the farmer’s pocket. Furthermore, these beans are sustainably grown with minimal impact on the environment. Customers of third wave roasters can rest assured that the coffee they drink is the most socially responsible choice. At Shaman, we use beans from origin coffee, a certified B-corporation, spearheading origin transparency in the coffee industry.
3. MANUAL BREWING METHODS
From pouring over cones to French presses, brewing coffee is an art. Third wave coffee shops give baristas the credit where it is due and a platform to explore their creativity, build expertise, and accrue authority. Every cup is made with passion by someone who truly cares about you, as their customer, and the coffee they serve. Read more about our baristas’ stories, here.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIRD WAVE COFFEE?
Why not pop by one of coffee roasters and speak to our friendly team members, or try a cup for yourself? We would love to hear from you!
