In terms of coffee, Portslade has grown dramatically over the last couple of years. It is probably no coincidence that has coincided with Small Batch moving their roastery from Goldstone Villas to Wellington House around the same time. Although a number of coffee houses have opened up, Small Batch is the only roaster in the area, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see others follow suit.
To say that Wellington House is spacious is a bit of an understatement, there is a full sized shipping container in the middle of the warehouse. Most of the real estate is taken up by equipment, but there is ample seating.
The first thing you’ll notice is the smell of coffee roasting, which is obviously a bonus to any coffee lovers, and watching the roasting operation in action while enjoying the same beans is something worth savouring.
On a sunny day, the outside seating is lovely, with a nice view of the river Adur. The smell of the coffee roasting mixing with the fresh air is a treat to all the locals and visitors alike.
Situated on the Brighton and Hove border, as you enter The Flour Pot at Seven Dials you’re greeted with a bright and clean layout, with a wall of pastries and bread on one wall, and seating spreading across the shop-front windows on the other.
On their espresso machine they offer The Flour Pot-roasted beans, which creates notes of nuts and plums and with outside seating, warm blankets and great coffee, this is a great spot to watch the buzz of businesses and the local schools go by.
The Flour Pot Kitchen is a slightly different take on a traditional Flour Pot shop; as well as the usual breads, pastries, and cakes is a full menu offering artisanal pizza and seasonal dishes.
This new offering straddles the line between a traditional cafe and a fully fledged restaurant, slowly transforming from one to the other as it gets later in the day.
Sitting right on the beachfront, there are few better places to spend a summer’s afternoon. This was, luckily, the time of year we tried a double espresso there, and drinking it while looking out at the sea was a wonderful experience. The new Flour Pot roast is full of dark fruit flavours, with a slight sourness, and hint of dark chocolate.
At this point, The Flour Pot are a Brighton institution and one that seem to be able to turn their hand to anything. From baking, to a new hot kitchen establishment, as well as coffee roasting, they seem to be getting everything right so far. We hope that it continues!
Tucked away on Ship Street is The Lanes Coffee House, and when we say tucked away, we really mean it. This delightful coffee house is much larger than it appears from its two entrances on the outside.
With two separate gardens, one as you approach the back entrance, and one hidden away at the back of the shop, this is the Mary Poppins bag of coffee shops.
Offering both great coffee and friendly staff, this hidden gem is well worth seeking out.
Home to one of the best bakeries in Brighton, The Flour Pot are always looking to improve their artisanal offering, including their coffee selection.
This culminated early on in 2018 when the bakery began roasting their own coffee at Small Batch’s Wellington House. Moving on from their previous coffee supplier, Caravan Coffee Roasters, The Flour Pot’s house blend now offers a sweet aroma with cherry flavours and a silky mouthfeel. Once cooled it comes to life, creating notes of nuts and especially caramel. It is a sweet espresso which perfectly matches their focus on pastries and their baked offering.
As the company continues to expand, with the addition of a new seafront-based shop in 2018 and their Potland Road store in 2019, as well as further plans for 2020, it is exciting to see the direction The Flour Pot are heading in.
With an already large following across the city it is very encouraging to see that speciality coffee is still at the forefront for players as big as The Flour Pot.
Moksha is a true family run, independent cafe and, since first opening its doors in 2007, has had numerous transformations in becoming what it is today.
Although the food may be taking a more prominent role than the coffee, the coffee offering is still of a high standard. A range of hand brewed options are available, and the V60 we tried was everything a hand brew should be: light, delicate, and delicious.
The filter coffees complement the usual espresso options, which are made with beans roasted in nearby Littlehampton.
Dough Lover is more than just a place you’re not allowed to bring your laptop. The food is expertly crafted, with a focus on the finer details. They have their own milk making machine, which they use to create their own organic nut milk.
The coffee they serve is worth trying, with or without nut milk. Their house blend is from Taylor Street Baristas, and they often have a “Wild” guest roast option. Ask what is currently available on offer, just don’t ask what the Wi-Fi code is.
Sitting just off the Fiveways crossroad is The Flour Pot’s Preston Drive store. Situated in a calming residential area, you’re greeted by a window filled with fresh artisan bread and, once inside, you see the familiar sight of The Flour Pot’s checkerboard tiles. Unlike most Flour Pot premises, however, this one is cosy and homely rather than airy and light.
The room stretches and uncurls like a slinky spring as you move past the worker’s station, as the back end of the room opens out into a comfortable spot to relax with a coffee and one of The Flour Pot’s pastries, cake or freshly made sandwiches.
The double espresso we tried had a big mouthfeel with notes of nuts and berries. Made using their very own Flour Pot blend, roasted by the company themselves, the coffee is bold and works perfectly alongside their selection of sweet goods.
Away from the flurry of central Brighton, this coffee shop is a recluse, perfect for the local residents and those looking to get out of town for a peaceful coffee break.
Up in Kemptown sits Portland, a charming little coffee shop that can be easy to miss. We spoke to the owner, Philip, who said it had been recently refurbished and that he had a vision for it to be an informal space for people to meet, work, and relax in. It’s safe to say that he has achieved this, with the walls adorned by works from local artists and craftspeople for sale, and regular art classes taking place in the space.
Portland serve Small Batch Coffee on espresso, a smooth and classic choice for Brighton. The coffee has notes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts, with a great mouthfeel. They have a choice of single origin on filter, and a selection of teas and sandwiches on the giant blackboard that covers the entire right hand wall.
It may be hidden away, and a bit of a walk from the centre of town, but if you find yourself in Kemptown you should do yourself a favour and seek Portland out.
The UK Barista Championships are taking place at the end of February right here in the heart of the city at the One Church. With The Plant Room’s Kat Cockram taking part, she’ll be representing Brighton’s blossoming scene in the process. We decided to catch up with the local coffeehead to talk UKBCs, pre-show nerves, the local scene and plenty more…
Hi Kat, can you tell us about your background? To put it simply, I’ve always worked in coffee – from my first paid job when I was 17 in London, to my current job as Head Barista of The Plant Room in Brighton at 21. I fell in love and I’ve been borderline obsessed with getting as much knowledge and perfecting my skills in all aspects of the industry since.
You mentioned your role at TPR, what are your responsibilities? My current role as Head Barista involves me training our current staff to perfection, dialling in and sourcing delicious coffees and basically being a badass barista 9 to 5 – it’s an awesome job with an awesome crew.
So, you’re taking part in the UK Barista Championships this year, what stages did you have to go through to get to this stage? Every competitor has to sign up for a heat, usually there’s about four of them dotted around the country. Within each heat, up to 13/14 competitors have to make two single shot espresso and two single shot milk beverages and serve it to two sensory judges (who will judge your actual service and drinks) whilst having two technical judges watch every move you make. You also have a Head Judge that watches what everyone else is doing and judges the judges and myself. Did I also mention you have to do this all in seven minutes?
If you’re lucky and score VERY well, you could make it into the top 14. These baristas go into the semi finals to compete for the top six spaces for the finals. I was one of the lucky ones and placed 12th in the UK, meaning I was placed in the semi finals for the UKBCs.
I hear this isn’t the first time competing at the UKBCs, what have you learnt from previous attempts? Third times a charm, right? Practice, practice and practice and also to learn from mistakes and advice. Honestly, I’ve always believed criticism is a way to reflect and perfect, however it’s made me realise how to go for the top places and practice for my sets. Sometimes you might have missed a tiny piece of important information that would cost you 10 points during your set – it’s nearly happened to me multiple times!
What can you tell us about your preparations for the big day? My set is focussed on sustainability and how we, as baristas, can focus on good coffee that’s good for the planet. I’ve got a really delicious coffee that I can’t wait to use
Do you have anything exciting planned that you can tell us about? Well you better come and watch at One Church at 9:50am!
Photo by Sam Luck Photography
On a scale of 1-10, how nervous are you? If I wanted to sound cool then a four, but in all honesty a solid eight. I have huge stage fright, plus I am against some of the best baristas in the country! It would be foolish not to be nervous.
What will the judges be looking for in the coffee and yourself? Delicious and perfectly dialled-in espresso and for a role model within the coffee community. They want someone to compete for the United Kingdom at the World Barista Championships, so they want someone to represent what an amazing coffee culture we have. It’s big stuff.
Does the fact that it is taking place at One Church in Brighton add extra significance for you as a Brighton-based barista? More than you think. It’s my home and I know for certain that a lot of my friends I love are going to come and see me. I want to be the one who’s crowned a champion in Brighton. *sighs* What a dream!
What do you enjoy most about the Brighton coffee scene and where do you see it heading? It’s the next big scene for sure! There are so many good roasteries, cafes and baristas down here. To be perfectly honest, if I did or someone else did, win and be from Brighton, that would make the scene boom down here. I’m excited for the future!
Do you intend to enter further competitions this year? Nah, I need a break. No matter how much I love competing, everyone knows I’m a ball of stress and anxiety near comp time. I’m going to hold off on any additional competitions until I’ve won a UKBC – hopefully!
What’s the strangest question a customer has ever asked you? “Have I ever tried camel milk?” is definitely up there. To be honest I’ve lost count.
What’s your passion aside from coffee? I love to cook. My boyfriend will tell you it’s probably like being in an episode of MasterChef, whenever I am in the kitchen at home. I like to go extra. Also have a massive love for music and yoga as well.
Do you have any advice for baristas just starting out? Really jump for all the opportunities you can get! Do as much reading and studying and practicing as you can! Grab your Head Barista and stay after work to work on your tamping skills, read a blog post that Barista Hustle or Mat North wrote. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to be up front!
If money was no object, what one piece of coffee equipment would you buy? An Ikawa. No wait a Kees Van Der Western Spirit! No maybe the Ikawa. Actually could I get a kitted shop perhaps
Where can people find you? Probably yodelling at some coffee bar, or stuffing my face with great food. Either way I’m around.
For more information on the UK Barista Championships and how you can attend, visit scauk.coffee
To follow Kat on her journey through the UKBCs, follow her at @katcockram
For more information on The Plant Room please visit tpr.coffee
All photography is by the incredible Sam Luck Photography and to see more of his work visit @luckysamphoto or @brewedinbrighton
