{ i love coffee festival }

The Klein Karoo winter is not something to shrug at. Despite layers of coats, scarfs and handskoene (gloves) - zero degrees at 7.30am is never an ideal way to start a work day. Mornings like this all I crave is a strong cup of joe. I remember rainy varsity days starting with a tall cappuccino from Vida in Kloof Street before hopping a Jammie Shuttle, and being wide awake just in time for my 8am lecture. Sadly those student days are long gone, along with the coffee (if you know of any hidden quality coffee joints in the Klein Karoo - please direct me!).

These thoughts lead to one of the many reasons why I'm excited to drive back to Cape Town this weekend. Beyond my regular caffeine fix, I'm definitely attending the i love coffee festival at the Neighbourgoods Market, at the the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock this Saturday 30 July. Along with the usual Neighbourgoods Market fare of fresh foodie goodness, expect some of the best coffee South Africa has to offer, an ideal cure for a potential Saturday morning hangover. There's also the opportunity to learn a bit more about the process of roasting, cupping, and alternative brewing methods from local roasters - always interesting and important to know where what you're consuming comes from, and in this case, how it makes it's way to your coffee machine. Just another reason to buy local!

Check out i love coffee's blog here. Regular posts profiling hip new coffee spots, aficionados and baristas make it a must read for anyone who appreciates their java. I particularly enjoyed a little post entitled 7 reasons why coffee is way cooler than tea - good for a chuckle. Looks like I'll be on a not so mild caffeine high all weekend!


Images: i love coffee