Home Archives - Independent Coffee Guides

Five destination coffee shops to visit, ASAP

Five fantastic destination coffee shops across the UK where you can drink top-notch brews in amazing locations

The interview: Holly Kragiopoulos of North Star

Holly Kragiopoulos, co-founder of North Star Coffee Roasters in Leeds, tells us about the impact lockdown has had on her business

Where to get takeaway coffee

Want to know where you can pick up an expertly poured flat white? We’ve rounded up the speciality venues offering takeaway brews, beans and more

Sustainable Champions: Yallah Coffee

Just who should be responsible for coffee practices being sustainable? We explore the issue with Richard Blake, founder of Cornwall’s Yallah Coffee

Sustainable Champions: Dark Woods Coffee

In the next chapter of our Sustainable Champions series with KeepCup, we talk eco “cherrypicking” with Dark Woods Coffee co-founder Ian Agnew

Coffee market crash

The market price of coffee is at an all-time low. What’s going on? Kathryn Lewis asks if speciality coffee could be the solution

Sustainable Champions: Hasbean

In the next instalment of our Sustainable Champions series with KeepCup, we talk sourcing, recycling and consumption with World Barista Champ Dale Harris

2019 new openings: Northern England and the Midlands

To celebrate the launch of the huge new North, Midlands & North Wales Independent Coffee Guide, we rounded up the region’s fresh openings for 2019

Scotland’s most ‘grammable coffee shops

More pictures of flat whites than friends on your phone? Check out Scotland’s most ‘grammable venues from the new Independent Coffee Guide

England’s most ‘grammable coffee shops

Camera roll filled with ‘grammable coffee shop interiors? These Independent Coffee Guide venues guarantee social media success

Edinburgh Fringe Festival coffee guide

Heading to the Edinburgh for your fill of comedy and arts? Make sure you’re expertly caffeinated with our Edinburgh Fringe coffee guide …

14 new coffee shops to add to your Ireland hit list

Planning a caffeine-fuelled road trip across Ireland? These are the new coffee shops to add to your hit list

Indy Coffee Box

Tour the incredible speciality coffee scene from the comfort your kitchen with the Indy Coffee Box

The ultimate uni essential

Know someone off to university this September? Forget an A-Z, the most useful gift you could give them is an Indy Coffee Guide

The future of coffee

From experimenting with processing to diversifying traditional coffee shops, meet the businesses brewing the future of Irish caffeine culture …

UK universities: a coffee buff’s guide

While it’s good to base your uni decision on teaching credentials and career opportunities, choosing a location with a solid speciality scene is of equal importance to any caffeine-savvy students

Sustainable Champions: PS Coffee Roasters

For our third interview in the KeepCup Sustainable Champions series, we catch up with the brothers behind PS Coffee Roasters

Eco game-changers

From weigh-your-own lunches to slurping beer from a KeepCup, the speciality community is getting creative in its ethical efforts

What makes a great barista?

Experience, knowledge and ability are the holy trinity, but what separates a good barista from a truly great one? We asked the pros …

A coffee with … Lilla Valter

Lilla Valter, Scottish AeroPress Champion and Habitat Cafe barista, talks first times and pet peeves

Sustainable Champions: Dear Green Coffee Roasters

In the second of our Sustainable Champions series with KeepCup, we talk to Lisa Lawson, founder of Dear Green Coffee Roasters

Sustainable Champions: The Wildcat Cafe

In the first of the Indy Coffee Guide x KeepCup Sustainable Champions series we talk to Deanna Laforet, owner of The Wildcat Cafe in Fort William, Scotland

Right here, right now

Change has been the only constant in the coffee sphere since the Indy Coffee Guides were launched half a decade ago

10 ways to be a more ethical coffee drinker

Keen to be kinder to the planet without kicking your speciality habit? Squeeze in these swaps and your conscience will be as clear as that filter

Regions on the rise

Playing it safe with the Ethiopian single origin option? Get ready for fresh flavour notes thanks to a new batch of coffee growing regions

Fresher’s guide to tasting coffee

Want to swot up before your first cupping sesh? We asked Paul Meikle-Janney, coffee guru and co-founder of Dark Woods Coffee, for the basics

Green coffee

With ethical bean sourcing and a quality-over-quantity approach, the speciality movement is leading the way when it comes to sustainability

Beyond the beans

With rents skyrocketing and rates heading the same way, coffee shop owners are finding creative ways to utilise their cafe space after hours

Ditching the disposables

Boston Tea Party took a bold leap last month and introduced a blanket ban on single use cups at its 22 cafes across the South West

The barista’s little black book – Scotland

Ever wondered where the pros go for a ‘spro on their day off? Or where your fave barista fell in love with filter? We got the deets from some of Scotland’s most experienced espresso slingers

You’ve kitted out your kitchen with the latest brewing gear, nailed a killer Chemex recipe and sussed out the steam wand, but are you ready to roast beans at home? We roped in a few industry insiders to find out what it takes

Wild coffee

Grab an Edinburgh or Glasgow city map, stick a pin in at random, and if it doesn’t land near a speciality coffee shop, consider yourself unlucky. But often overlooked is the growing crop of indies pushing quality coffee in the wilds. We spoke to three cafe owners about serving speciality in the sticks …

The rise of the career barista

Fifteen years ago, if you said you were a barista you’d be pegged as a wig-wearing lawyer. The term ‘barista’ may no longer be confused with ‘barrister’ and being an espresso slinger has a certain hipster panache, but what’s it like being a professional shot pourer?

Category: Home