There is undoubtedly a cultish aspect to specialty, third wave or ‘artisan’ coffee, writes Charlie Ellis.
Certain cafes are revered; the best baristas venerated; the leading roasters worshipped. Cult Espresso (104 Buccleuch Street) is a playful nod to this. Spurtleshire has been deeply infiltrated by the specialty sect.
Artisan Roast were one of the pioneers of specialty coffee in Edinburgh.
Having started in 2007, they now have four shops across the city and a well-respected roastery in Peffermill.
Their first shop, on Broughton Street, remains popular to this day. It’s somewhat unique among ‘serious’ Edinburgh coffee spots, with an unusual vibe.
Edinburgh’s New Town is widely seen as an architectural achievement of the highest order. It’s also seen as a manifestation of the way social divisions have been embedded into Edinburgh’s DNA.