Hello and thank you for joining us!
First off, we wanted to say a big thank you for your support since we launched GC.
So far, we’ve uncovered over 50 specialty coffee spots in Hong Kong through reviews and features. Your feedback has been both encouraging and inspiring, keeping us motivated to continue unearthing the unique stories behind each cup of coffee.
While our Instagram feed has a natural focus on aesthetics, we’re excited to broaden our reach with a monthly newsletter. Here, we'll share our discoveries in the realm of specialty coffee and delve into relevant topics to the coffee lifestyle. We think that understanding the context of coffee elevates the entire experience, making coffee tasting much more mindful and enjoyable.
If this resonates with you, make sure to subscribe to our mailing list to stay in the loop with our content (scroll to bottom).
Our August Features
In the heat of August, we explored the less commercial neighborhoods of Kowloon and presented 4 specialty coffee spots with old Hong Kong charm. Our summer visits ended up being discoveries of more 'third wave' cafés that beautifully combine 'old Hong Kong' interiors with quality coffee.
These places are great examples of how exceptional coffee experiences in Hong Kong can be found in the most unexpected of places.
For example, Allez Coffee stands out with its retro decor in the residential neighborhood of Shek Kip Mei. Tai Wo Tang in Kowloon City is a reimagined traditional Chinese medicine store with rich cultural context, previously less accessible until the recent opening of the Tuen Ma MTR line. Not to be overlooked is Halfway Coffee in Mongkok, a busy spot consistently teeming with tourists, a creatively repurposed 'old Hong Kong' space to reflect an affinity for the local coffee lifestyle.
The Poll
We asked for your favorites among our August features. It was neck and neck but Halfway Coffee and Tai Wo Tang prevailed.
Our Take
At Tai Wo Tang, we tried a hand-drip coffee from Onyx Coffee Lab.
Onyx has a strong presence in Hong Kong. Their offerings can be found in various cafés, including popular places like Black Sugar. The signature skull icon, brightly colored packaging and bold messaging made a strong impression when we first learnt about it a few years ago.
Founded in 2012 by the husband-and-wife duo Jon and Andrea Allen, this Arkansas-based roastery in the U.S. has steadily built a devoted following by consistently winning global awards.
More details here.
In the past eight years, the Onyx team has consistently placed in the top five in the U.S. Barista Championship. Co-founder Andrea Allen even snagged the first place in the 2020 barista competition and secured runner-up in the 2021 World Barista Championship.
We found Onyx’s coffee sourcing philosophy, dubbed ‘Relationship Coffee’, particularly interesting. According to them, this approach accounts for 70% of Onyx's offerings.
To summarize, they have an established process to ‘cup’ coffee, and only buy beans scoring 86 or higher by industry standards. They also follow a set of principles in the procurement process focusing on transparency, fairness and ethical practices.
Onyx focuses on light roast beans like many other roasteries, but in our experience, they have been relatively easy to brew, making it a great choice for beginners new to home brewing.
Subscribe to GC
Did you enjoy this month’s content? Subscribe to our mailing list below to make sure you don't miss out on our future updates.
Comentários