Coffee in Johannesburg has always been a social thing. People sit, talk and take their time over a single cup. This week we visited three small roasters who are bringing that slow habit back to the city. Each one grinds fresh, weighs every dose and serves with a glass of water.
The owners told us the ritual matters as much as the beans. A kettle, a timer and ten quiet minutes can change a morning. Try it at home on the stoep, and notice how the day feels different when it starts slowly.
Morning ritual
Brewing at home needs very little. A simple pour-over cone, a paper filter and fresh beans from a local roaster will do. Heat the water until it just stops boiling, then pour in slow circles. Wait for the coffee to drip through before you pour the next round.
Most roasters in Braamfontein will grind for you if you ask. Tell them how you brew and they will set the grind to suit. Keep the beans in a sealed tin away from the sun, and use them within three weeks for the best flavour.
Morning ritual
Water makes a bigger difference than most people think. Johannesburg tap water is fairly soft, so it works well for filter coffee. If yours tastes of chlorine, let a jug stand for a few minutes before you use it. Small changes like this cost nothing and improve every cup you make at home.
Finally, keep the routine simple. Use the same cup, the same spot and the same time each day. Many of the cafés we visited say their regulars came for the coffee and stayed for the pause. You can build that pause at home with a good mug and a quiet corner, even in a small flat in the city.
31 Juta Street
Braamfontein,
Johannesburg 2001
