Dutch traders spread coffee cultivation here, and in Indonesia and the Pacific in the late 17th century. Coffee from this region has a taste that is described as smooth, exotic, low acidity, andwith full body. It often has a earthy flavor.
Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles was said to be fond of his coffee, quite unusual for a Britishman, but perhaps he found his fondness after running the Dutch out of Java – where the best Javanese coffee is grown on the far eastern end of the island on five estates established by the Dutch government.
In Papua New Guinea cultivation started in 1937 with seeds imported from Jamaica’s Blue Mountain region. It’s grown in the valleys of the western highlands in the area around Mt. Hagen.
The rich soil and climate produce a mild and mellow coffee which many consider one of the world’s best. And of course, while many people credit a goat herder named Kaldi for discovering coffee, in this region the legend spread was the Arabic one, a tale of an Arabian named Omar who was banished to the desert with his followers to die of starvation.
In desperation, Omar had his friends boil and eat the fruit from an unknown plant. The broth saved their lives and their survival was taken as a religious sign by the residents of the nearest town, Mocha. The plant and its beverage were named Mocha to honor this event.
Coffee: The highs, the lows, the jitters
How about some culture with your coffee?
Thinky reviews 6 of the best cafes in Singapore
| COFFEESHOPS IN SINGAPORE: | |
| Seattle Coffee Company
Ideal for a long casual afternoon drink. |
#01-05/06/K2, Capitol Building, 11 Stamford Road
This is definitely a rare find – a place to enjoy for they probably make the best coffee in town. Their cheesecake is excellent. You won’t want to leave after a good coffee. |
| Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Another truly excellent Coffeeshop in Singapore
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Atrium at Scotts Shopping Centre
Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
International Plaza
Boat Quay
Lot 1 Choa Chu Kang
Holland Village
Parco Bugis Junction
Suntec City Mall Tower Records
Suntec City Towers 3 and 4
Tiong Bahru Plaza
Forum The Shopping Mall
Junction 8 Shopping Mall
Century Square
Serangoon Garden Village
Centrepoint
Takashimaya (Ngee Ann City) Shopping Centre
White Sands
The Promenade
Guthrie House
Chinatown Point
Siglap – 3 Jalan Jamal
Definitely the largest number of Korners around Singapore. The environment is great for a nice afternoon iced cold latte or espresso. Of course their specialty include tea too. Here’s what you can learn all about tea from them, in their guides, “The Tea Leaf Guide” and “The Bean Guide”. They have great decor, freshly made cakes and pastries, and interesting merchandises to buy. One of their specialty is the trademark ICE BLENDED, a frozen coffee drink. They also invented Herbert B Hyman Coffee Extract, the first gourmet coffee extract ever produced. Their baristas (and tea-makers) are well trained and it seems that they really enjoy their work too. Polite, friendly and of course, good coffee. And you must try their cheese cake. 12 twelve chops earns you a free coffee – and they have Rules too! |
| Coffee Club | Boat Quay – their six-storey flagship outlet
Holland Village
Siglap
Millenia Walk
Ngee Ann City
Funan Centre
East Coast Road
National Library Owned by Hiang Kie, one of the largest coffee and spice traders in Asia. Savour it in stylishy salubrious surroundings – that’s their slogan for gourmet coffee. |
| Starbuck’s
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The king of coffee, taking over the world… no matter what you say about them, pricewise, qualitywise and qeuewise, they make the best coffee of the day and have a nice refill discount… and who can resist the frappachino? |
| His Grace Cafe | 24 Raffles Place, #02-03 Clifford Centre
3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-53A Suntec City Mall |
| Banoffi Coffi | Suntec City Mall |
| Coffee Tree | #03-004, # Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall |
| Spinelli Coffee Company | Amara Shopping Center
Bugis Junction
Change Alley
Far East Square
Great World City
The Heeren Shops
Jurong Point
National University of Singapore
NTUC Club Pasir Ris
Robinson Point |
| Spinelli welcomes IMF with a twist… | |
| Sizzling Sandwich | Unit B1-10/11 Orchard Point, Orchard Road
Good coffee with knowledgeable barista. Will recommend the right coffee for the individual. Really good choices of sandwich, pastry and cakes |
| Java Coast |
Amara Hotel
Clarke Quay Funan Centre Golden Shoe Singapore General Hospital Suntec City Mall website: www.coffeecoast.com |
