In praise of great coffee

I love a good coffee, there’s nothing quite like a shot of the black gold to embolden the mind and invigorate the senses. While espresso is a fine way to enjoy coffee in its own right, it’s rarely served in pre-heated cups and is too short to be a particularly social choice.

Enter the cappuccino. Often the first thing to come to mind for many coffee drinkers, the classic cappuccino comprises a strict recipe of one third espresso, one third steamed milk and one third microfoam.

This recipe is one often flouted by high street coffee chains such as Starbucks (who do however produce coffee enjoyable in its own way) and this is often to the detriment of many an individual’s appreciation of this classic coffee.

Sparking a completely different trend in Belfast at the minute is Sinnamon. A relatively young Belfast coffee franchise, Sinnamon stands apart by adhering to the proper recipe for each coffee on their menu boards. Their cappuccinos while small, are served in appropriately wide yet short cups (to preserve the milk texture) and prepared in the precise 1:1:1 ratio found in Milan coffee houses. Order a large and that ratio will remain true, albeit in a slightly larger mug.

This has the effect of bringing the bold, nutty characteristics of the espresso to the fore (as should be the case with cappuccinos) and rather than being drowned with foam, or dilute with tepid milk, Sinnamon’s creations hold that velvety texture and characteristic kick.

With smaller chains it would often be expected to see differences in quality between branches, however in Sinnamon’s case only two shops currently operate, one in Botanic and one in Stranmillis. Thus far quality is comparable in each and I would readily recommend either for a quick catch up with friends and an experience in what quality coffee should be.

Time will tell if Sinnamon falls victim to the pitfalls that plague many other establishments, however for now, it comes with my highest recommendation.