LONDON COFFEE FESTIVAL 2017: The Art of Coffee Making

April 5th 2017 at 19:00PM

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Coffee Culture is a part of being British and the craze for caffeine is sure to be found tomorrow, at the annual London Coffee Festival. Open to the public from the 7th to the 9th of April, the event showcases cupping (coffee tasting), coffee brewing, live latte art, masterclasses and a Coffee Masters competition with a £5000 prize for the winning barista. Coffee has become more than just a lifestyle in London and has formed its own rights as an art.

In a small coffee shop in Angel, Hayden Ashley, a 23-year-old Austrian traveller and world conquering head barista at ‘Appestat’, says what makes a great brew.

“A good cup of coffee is best when everything is as clean as possible,” says Hayden, who’s favourite coffee is a soy iced latte. “Don’t add sugar, sugar makes a coffee bad!”

If Hayden won the £5000 prize he would spend it ‘coffee wise’, he says, “either on new coffee equipment for a cold drip station and pour over coffees. Or I’d like to get really high end training for our baristas because knowledge is key. If they get really good training, then that can be brought to our coffee shop which would make everything better.” 

The walls in Appestat are covered with the works of London based artist Gina Seltzer. Her work combines mixed media and vintage Hollywood icons. The paintings use intense colour with black and white imagery, acrylics, paper, photos, resin, wax, beads and glitter. She uses ideas that are strong and unique, yet portray a playful approach on the feminine and modern form.  

“Nearly every month we get different art work put up in the shop”, says Hayden. “We have events and a lot of people come here for our coffee. Freelance artists and people who know the owners [can display and auction their work]. The owners love it and just want to get new art in.”

People find out about the art exhibitions through word of mouth. “All the people [in the community], the local guys are so friendly and we have social media accounts where you can find information,” Hayden says. Paintings are for sale and customers frequently buy the work.

Latte art work is a crucial element of coffee culture and at The London Coffee Festival there will be 35 minute workshops dedicated to the art alone with a promise to see ‘jaw-dropping masterpieces’, it’s an event you, coffee lovers can’t miss.

Regular customer and part time Media student Emma Carroll, filled me in on the latte art skills at Appestat. She says: “I love ordering a latte and seeing a cute heart or leaf design! Making art with the coffee’s milk not only makes it look better but it makes the place seem more friendly because they make effort rather than just serve up an order.”

Luke Western, a new customer to Appestat says: “I do think art in the café makes a difference, it makes it more ‘homey’ and having a nice-looking latte doesn’t hurt either.”

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