An Edible Voyage

October 2021 Despite Italy's reputation for excellent coffee, being a flat white sort of a girl, I'm generally not taken with Italian coffee, finding espressos too intense and cappuccinos too weak and frothy.  Pappare, in Bologna's historic centre, did come up trumps with an excellent cappuccino though.  Not only that, the display of croissants was particularly exciting, with white and dark chocolate stuffed charcoal croissants balanced by the nuttiness of sesame, alongside pistachio cream, and vegan dark chocolate and raspberry.  And there was definitely no shortage of filling.  One might be forgiven for thinking there was too much chocolate ganache stuffed in to my croissant as every bite caused another blob too ooze out, but really, can there ever be too much filling?!  They also offer hand brew coffee, as well as savoury pastries, sandwiches, and more substantial brunch/ lunch. Find Pappare on Via De' Giudei. Another coffee that really has to be tried once b...

April 2021 Some may say it's ridiculous to plan my entire trip back from Scotland based on the opening days of a coffee window...but that's how I roll!  Having missed out on visiting Hatch during my last trip to Newcastle, I thought it would make the perfect journey break on my way back south.   From a former parking attendants cabin surrounded by Northumbria University, Mark serves up expertly crafted espresso based beverages, having fallen in love with coffee in Melbourne.  Local roasters Colour Coffee, the roastery behind Pink Lane Coffee, provide the beans, and even the Acorn Dairy organic milk is from just down the A1 near Darlington. Find Hatch on the edge of the Ellison Place car park.

March 2021 There are 100s, possibly 1000s, of places to buy a coffee in Newcastle, but how to find the great amongst the good? Let me point you in the direction of   Pink Lane Coffee.   With a café that oozes cool on, you guessed it, Pink Lane, this speciality coffee roasters is dedicated to sourcing and roasting the best single origin and responsibly sourced beans from growers around the world. With their rotating filter coffees, as well as all the espresso-based classics, there’s something for every mood.   And with their white, milk and dark hot chocolate options, even non-coffee drinkers could be persuaded to venture in. Find Pink Lane Coffee on Pink Lane, almost opposite the central station.

March 2018 If you're craving a good espresso-based coffee, there are a couple of places where you can get your fix - Karakol Coffee in Karakol, and cosy Bublik in Bishkek.