Cold Brew Coffee is a rising trend in town and we sure are embracing it.

You might have seen food journals, magazines, blogs and your social media feeds bursting with pictures or reviews of Cold Brew coffees. It is for sure, the new it coffee at the moment.

Why do people levitate towards Cold Brew Coffees? There are a couple of reasons. And the ones who truly appreciate their coffee will taste the robust and concentrated flavours in cold brews, while still enjoying the taste of the coffee itself as opposed to downing it like an espresso.

If you are still confused, here’s a simple read on What You Need To Know About Cold Brew Coffee.

How is cold brew made?

Coffee is first grounded, then steeped in either chilled or room temperature water for up to 24 hours. This intensifies the coffee extraction process, as you’re physically letting it ‘sit’ for a longer period of time. Same goes for slow-cooking and braising for hours and hours – you get the best out of it through the process of slow-extraction.

Typically, the coffee is then diluted to be served or poured over ice cubes.

This traditional method of serving it prevents the consumer from taking in too much coffee at a go, as the effects of drinking it directly could be equivalent to swallowing a few espresso shots at once.

We can’t say for sure how long the hype for cold brew coffee will last. But one thing we are certain about, is that we will be fans of it for a long, long time.

Well, of course, until a new and fancy way of extracting and serving coffee is invented. But until then, we will return to these places for the Best Cold Brews in Singapore.

A good cup of coffee is complex – an enchanting aroma, the right amount of acidity, a memorable first sip and a multi-dimensional body. The rising number of specialised coffee houses in Singapore has expanded our love for different coffee made from coffee beans from all around the world.

Different coffee beans have their own specific identity, and trying these unique blends is so much more accessible to us now than ever before. Admit it, a good cuppa is a glorious treat.

Here are 9 Independent Cafes & Coffee Shops in Singapore that serve great coffee.

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#1 CHYE SENG HUAT HARDWARE

Coffee enthusiasts and cafe hoppers should be more than familiar with Chye Seng Huat Hardware for being one of the most established coffee shops in Singapore. House in a reconstructed old hardware store, the rustic charm of the cafe’s interior makes for a nice intimate session for you and your cuppa. With trained baristas brewing your coffee upon order, you will be pleased with the rich aroma and complex body of the coffee served here.

150 Tyrwhitt Road
Singapore 207563
Tel: +65 6396 0609
Tue to Thu: 9am – 7pm
Fri to Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

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#2 COMMON MAN COFFEE ROASTERS

Common Man Coffee Roasters was started by the Spa Esprit Group (also the ones behind Forty Hands, and House) and has long thought to be one of the best places to have a cup of aromatic coffee. The coffee beans here are of single origins and roasted in a massive 7kg roaster – now that’s dedication!

#01-00 22 Martin Road
Singapore 239058
Tel: +65 6836 4695
Daily: 7am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

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#3 DUTCH COLONY COFFEE CO.

Dutch Colony Coffee Co. is so dedicated to serving great coffee that they have their own coffee roastery at Defu Lane, which also doubles up as a barista academy. They started with a first outlet at PasarBella, then expanded to another full cafe outlet at Frankel Avenue - which we love much better.

200 Turf Club Road Stall 67-68
Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 6467 0255
Mon to Thu: 9am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

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#4 NYLON COFFEE ROASTERS

Nylon Coffee Roasters pays homage to coffee, and offers unique blends of coffee beans from all around the world. As one of the first few cafes in the neighbourhood, it is a regular spot for coffee lovers who are after a quality cup of coffee.

4 Everton Park #01-40
Singapore 080004
Tel: +65 6220 2330
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 5.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Tue)
Nearest Station: Outram

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#5 PACAMARA BOUTIQUE COFFEE ROASTERS

What used to be OZ Speciality Coffee is now a fully revamped Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters and it is a beautiful space. Other than having a clean white interior, their coffee packs a punch.

185 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574333
Tue to Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio/Marymount

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#6 PERCOLATE COFFEE

The coffee beans used here are from one of our favourite coffee roasters mentioned above, Nylon Coffee Roasters and also Papa Palheta. We appreciate any cafe that takes their coffee seriously and Percolate – a hidden gem in the East of Singapore – certainly pays attention to detail. The cafe sits a cosy amount of just 20 people, hence it is an intimate setting for you to catch up with a friend over a nice cup of coffee.

136 Bedok North Avenue 3 #01-152B
Singapore 460136
Tel: +65 8259 0316
Mon: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Wed to Fri: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bedok

#7 THE ASSEMBLY GROUND

The old school interior of The Assembly Ground at Cathay pairs up nicely with the overall ambience of the place. Opened by the folks behind local men’s fashion brand, Benjamin Barker, The Assembly Ground is a great cafe and coffee house located in the heart of town, hence extremely accessible. Beside serving a decent cuppa, their matcha latte is worth a shot too!

#01-21 The Cathay
2 Handy Road
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 67333375
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

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#8 THE POPULUS COFFEE & FOOD CO.

Upon stepping in the The Populus Coffee & Food Co., any coffee lover would be enchanted by the centralised set-up. The coffee bar, with the sleek coffee machine, is a sexy one that will not go unnoticed. Watch the baristas in action, have a chat with them and they will be happy to share their knowledge about third wave coffee with you; smells are free, too!

The coffee beans are roasted exclusively by Two Degrees North Coffee Co, with 3 blends and 4 single origins at the moment.

You cannot leave The Populus Coffee & Food Co. without having a cup, that’s for sure. We’ve had several cups since its soft launch days, and never once were we disappointed.

146 Neil Road
Tel: +65 6635 8420
Mon & Wed: 9am – 7 pm
Thu & Fri: 9am – 10.30pm
Sat: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Outram

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#9 TOBY’S ESTATE

A renowned Australian coffee chain, Toby’s Estate is a popular hangout place for a good cuppa. The interior of Toby’s Estate is certainly welcoming and reminiscent of the cafes we’ve visited in Melbourne. As the main star at Toby’s Estate is their coffee, we suggest skipping the food if you are not hungry, and just settling for that glorious cuppa.

8 Rodyk Street
#01-03/04
Singapore 238216
Tel: +65 6636 7629
Daily: 7.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in Singapore.

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

After spending a day with Ryan from Strangers Reunion - who is also Singapore National Barista Champion 2011, 2012 & 2013 – to learn more about coffee, I have a newfound respect for the beverage. In order to make the perfect cuppa, there are many factors in play, and the next time you have a cappuccino at your favourite cafe, do thank the barista for satisfying your caffeine addiction.

Here are 5 things you should know about coffee.

1. Amount of foam in the coffee does not make a difference.

There are some people who are obsessed with the foam level in coffee, but it does not make a big difference to the taste of coffee. Technically speaking, there is a marginal difference, but most people are probably not able to tell anyway. Instead of being overly-concerned about foam, people should focus on the factors – coffee bean, temperature, texture and flavour – that makes or breaks a cup of coffee.

2. Latte Art

While latte art (or lack of) does not affect the taste of the coffee, it is an indicator of how serious a barista is about his trade as it reflects how good the milk is.

3. Soy is not meant to be a drink option.

Soy is actually meant for those who are lactose-intolerant, and not because it is healthier or tastes better. There has always been the debate that soy is healthier than milk, but that is not necessarily true. It is really not about comparing which is healthier, though. The problem with soy is that it masks the flavour of coffee. Full cream milk, on the other hand, does not affect the flavour. Milk is supposed to complement the coffee, not over-power it.

4. There is no need to stir the coffee before drinking it.

When milk is poured into the espresso to make the latte, it is already thoroughly mixed. There is no need to stir the coffee any more.

5. Coffee is good enough on its own without sugar.

If the coffee is done correctly, it should be sweet enough. Adding sugar actually stifles the coffee and does not allow its full aroma to be released. The barista has to put in a lot of hard work in order to prepare a cup of good coffee, so appreciate it as it is, because they know best how coffee should be served.

Also read our Beginners Guide to Coffee.

Few things could be more idyllic than sitting in a nice cafe, sipping on a cup of aromatic coffee, and reading your favourite book. The good news is, nowadays, there are plenty of places to get a cup of good coffee. The coffee trend in Singapore is picking up, with new indie cafes opening up every month.

In order to get a better picture, we must understand more about the first, second and third wave coffee movements. We had a quick chat with Ryan Kieran Tan – from Strangers Reunion, who is also Singapore National Barista Champion 2011, 2012 & 2013 – on this topic.

“The first wave of coffee took place when Italian migrants introduced espresso to the world, and the second was due to the rapid expansion of big coffee chains such as Starbucks and Peet’s that made coffee widespread. We are currently in the third wave of coffee where there is a movement to produce high-quality coffee. Coffee-speciality cafes are sourcing their beans from farms, and consumers are starting to appreciate and have a deeper understanding of what goes into a good cup of coffee.”

This month, we will be telling you where to find the best coffee joints in town. For those of you who always aspire to be a barista, we will be asking cafe owners to share some insights on how you can work towards your dream. Also, you can expect articles on things that you should know about coffee, and how to make coffee. Before we get started, you can read our Beginners Guide to Coffee.

Join us on our journey – on instagram, twitter and facebook – as we search for the perfect roast.

Jewel Coffee at 1 Shenton Way has quickly become one of the more popular coffee boutiques in the Central Business District (CBD). If you love coffee, and work in the area, there’s no reason not to visit the cafe. It is quite the ideal location to meet your clients or stop by for a coffee break.

Jewel Coffee
1 Shenton Way #01-07
Tel: +65 6636 9452
Mon to Fri: 7am – 9pm
Sat: 8am – 5pm

Henry Congressional is a pop-up cafe by the folks behind Smitten Coffee. The coffee place is located in the quaint Holland Grove, and it will only be there till 31 Dec 2012. So, if you have been wanting to visit it, make sure you make the trip soon.

Besides serving coffee and tea, Henry Congressional also has a good range of beer. In addition to that, you can also find proper food like sandwiches ($7), cakes ($3/4), cookies ($3), and savour scones ($5).

Henry Congressional
44 Holland Grove
Tel: +65 9107 7547

Wed & Thu: 8am – 10pm
Fri: 8am – 12 midnight
Sat: 10am – 12 midnight
Sun: 10am – 10pm

There is nothing better in the world than the smell of freshly grounded coffee beans permeating through a room, the sound of steam as it shoots through the nozzle of a Zagato and the first taste of liquid gold as it passes your lips, settles on your tongue and slides down your throat. Some people drink coffee for the caffeine, some for the flavour and most (like me) for both reasons.

For the regular coffee drinker, this post is probably worth skipping because you would already know the basics (like the components that make up a caramel macchiato for example). For the slightly amateur, here’s the beginners guide to coffee. And no, a “frappuccino” is not considered coffee.

Espresso (ehs-press-soh)
A full-flavored, concentrated form of coffee that is served in “shots” – made by forcing pressurized, hot water through very finely ground coffee beans. This is usually ordered and drunk within 10-20 seconds upon receiving as it tends to oxidise relatively quickly. Perfect for a quick wake-me-up.

Macchiato (mah-kee-ya-to)
An espresso shot topped with a dollop of foam.

Caffe latte (kaf-fey lah-tay)
One part espresso, three part steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. I personally am not a fan of lattes because I think the milk to espresso ratio mutes the flavour of the coffee. This drink however, is perfect for milk lovers.

Flat white
Exactly like a latte but without the foam. Some people don’t see the purpose of having foam, for that reason the flat white is the perfect choice.

Americano (uh-meh-ri-kan-no)
One part espresso, three part hot water. Kind of like a diluted espresso shot.

Cappuccino (kap-ooh-chee-no)
A cappuccino is like a latte with half the amount of milk replaced with foam. Many wonder what the difference is between a cappuccino and a latte. The only thing is the amount of foam – a capp consists of the same amount of foam as milk.

Piccolo (pee-ko-lo)
Often mis-spelt as as “picollo” “picolo” or “piccollo”. This is an anglo-american invention and is basically a miniature latte served in an espresso glass.

Espresso con panna (ehs-press-soh kon pah-na)
An espresso shot topped with whipped cream. This is also known as the Vienna Coffee and it’s drunk through the creamy top. A very popular beverage in Italy, usually taken after dinner with desserts.

Mocha (mo-kah)
An espresso shot, steamed milk, chocolate syrup (places that serve quality mochas use high grade chocolate couvertures (eg. Valrhona) instead of chocolate syrup) topped with whipped cream. And if the barista decides to be nice, a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Cafe breve (kaf-fey breh-vay)
A shot of espresso, steamed half & half and foam.

Magic (meh-jeek)
A ristretto*, three ounces of milk & a thin layer of foam. The “magic” is a slang that was coined by Australians and has been recently popular in our local indie coffee scene.

Other useful coffee “terms”

Skinny (or low-fat) : a beverage made using non-fat or skimmed milk

*Ristretto : an espresso shot that takes twelve seconds to pull and is “sweeter” than a full shot (a regular shot takes twenty seconds)

De-caf : shots made using decaffeinated coffee beans

Half-caf : one shot of regular, one shot of decaf.

These are probably some java terms worth knowing. I mean, you never really know when you might need to impress someone you meet at say Starbucks. Coffee is always a good conversation starter. Words by Jolene Koh, photographs by ladyironchef