Yelp Edinburgh’s Coffee Culture Quest @ Artisan Roast!

'Who knew that coffee was once baptised?' After the Elite Event at Artisan Roast in Bruntsfield, Jennie S and 25 other Elite Edinburgh Yelpers did – and a whole lot more! On a cold, autumnal September evening, Edinburgh Elites made their way to Artisan Roast – who were recently were crowned Best Coffee Shop in the UK -  for an evening of coffee culture education, and a caffeinated crash course in cupping and the wonders of V60 brewing. With the most delicious of bites from Herbie West End and bottles from Villeneuve Wine, it was a night of caffeine-fuelled awesome.
As Yelpers arrived, they settled into the newly fitted Mooch to enjoy some quiche, sandwiches, bread and dips from Herbie West End, and delightful wines from Villeneuve Wines. And what a treat they were in for.
Gustavo, the co-founder of Artisan Roast, is a foutain of all knowledge on the history of coffee and culture. Explaining how the drinking of coffee first began and where the first coffee shops came from – as late night meetings spots for revolutionaries and Soufis – tracing the movement of coffee drinking to Turkey, and finally to it's entry into Europe (only after a blessing from the Pope!)
Alex R admits 'as a bit of a History buff, particularly around the british empire in
the 18th-19th Century, I am more comfortable with the history of the
Brown Bess musket and tea trade than with coffee, so this was a
fantastic 45 minutes. I was impressed by the depth of knowledge, and the
insight of Gustavo. I would love to sit down and listen to him again!'
London, once the coffee empire of the New World, is slowly gaining that accolade back again. Without coffee, our ancestors would have all kept drinking wine, fighting and perhaps some of the most important revolutions and political and public movements may never have happened. And yes, indeed, both the tv show Friends and the super-chain Starbucks are largely responsible for the re-introduction of coffee shop culture to our modern Western world! For Gillian L, Gustavo's talk was the highlight of the evening 'he was full of enthusiasm and information about the growth of the industry and the development of coffee houses.'
With their heads filled with coffee culture facts, Lukasz the uber barista was preparing a cupping and V60 satiaty their caffeine craving with perfectly brewed filter coffee. First, with a whirlwind introduction to cupping and tasting Lukasz explained the process of cupping and how tasting notes for each coffee are written – much in the same way as for a wine label. As Sara P writes in her review, Lukasz  'seemed to love, live and breathe coffee and his passion was contagious!
And then, a surprise for some, the V60 brewing method. Rather than the steam-pressured, fast brewed espresso, a V60 takes 4 minutes to brew and it is gravity that filters and brews the coffee. With exact maths for the quantity of coffee to water, precise timing and weight, Lukasz demonstrated the coffee brewing process and the Yelpers could taste the end result – a smooth, light, delicate coffee that was smoother to drink but stronger than an espresso. 'Lukasz knowledge of coffee and its preparation was great and so
infectious, I'll never look at coffee and its preparation the same way
again!' – too right Claire L!
So what happens when you give 25 exciteable Yelpers super strong coffee in the evening? They have the best of time, and ask for more!  'What can I say, coffee is no longer just a nice coffee, it's now a cup
full of amazing history and full of passion! Passion is something that
Artisan Roast crew doesn't lack.' Indeed, Peter S.
After the whirlwind of coffee knowledge, coffee drinking, and a clear passion for all things bean and brewing, we can't say thank you enough to Gustavo and Lukasz at Artisan Roast for hosting, and imparting all their invaluable knowledge for us; to Herbie West End for the delicious food; to Villeneuve Wines for the delicious bottles for imbibing; to Robin Mair for the photies and to all the Yelpers who came and made it the evening that it was!
If there were ever a place to start a coffee revolution, it was would be Artisan Roast. Viva!

Have a wee read of all the reviews; have a peek at the photies ; find out more about the Elite events; and if you have any questions about Yelp or the Elite Squad, send me – Jenny L – a wee message on Yelp!

Until next time!

Jenny L
Yelp Edinburgh Community Manager