CoffeeBeer >> Double Shot Buzz >> Husk
I’m back, after another trip to the US, and with several new coffee columns to write. But before I start on those, I’d like to mention one more place in Sheffield.
Way back at the end of April, I made a point of checking out a coffee shop I’d only recently heard about. Located near the junction of London Road and Ecclesall Road behind Waitrose, Husk Coffee is located in a small beverage-orientated road, next to the Beer Engine pub and a couple of doors down from a cat cafe, Tabby Teas.
After two previous tries, first on a Thursday when their hours suddenly changed to being closed on Thursdays, and next on a Friday, when they had suddenly switched that and were closed on Fridays instead, I persisted and successfully found the cafe open. Sadly, as I had intended to have a bite of lunch here before work, there was just one guy working that morning, and he said they weren’t doing food that day. But at least I had a coffee.
My Cortado was served in a sensuous glass, on a wooden tray with a card next to the demitasse spoon which specified detailed coffee notes. So my coffee on this day was Mug Shot from the Sul de Minas region of Brazil, a Yellow Catuai varietal, with beans grown at an altitude of 150-1800 MASL, produced by a co-operative, and the tasting notes suggested Hazelnut, Golden Raisin, and Milk Chocolate. I was a bit disappointed that they didn’t tell me the shoe size and eye colour of the particular grower, but hey, you can’t have everything...
My coffee was very smooth and extremely light, a bit lighter than I would have preferred, but I have to admit it was of very good quality. (Personally I would have gone for something with more of a dark chocolate tasting note myself.) The coffee is roasted by Crankhouse Coffee of Exeter down in Devon. They do batch brew coffee as well, and the menu said that today’s choice was washed Mexico, with tasting notes of Physallis, Red Grape, and Toffee. And if you’re a sweets fan, they sell some gorgeous looking pastries by Cake Smiths of Bristol. Personally, I’d like to stop in again when they’re serving food, as the toasted flatbreads and "buddha bowls" sound really nice.
The cafe itself is small, casual, and pleasant, with a water jug and glasses on the counter like in proper West Coast coffee places. For pleasant days there is a big bench out front on the pavement, next to the NOT STARBUCKS sandwich board that points to the cafe, which offers a spectacular view of the back of Waitrose. And there were some obvious regulars in the place, all of them young hipster types on this particular day.
According to the owners, Husk is named after the part on the outer layer of a coffee bean, which they see as something seemingly worthless with the potential to produce something delicious. All I can say is I’m glad that somebody figured that out a long time ago, because where would Life be without Coffee?
Speaking of seemingly worthless substances that can become useful reminds me of a recent short WhatsApp conversation with my Bay Area friend about his cat’s thick coat of fur:
When I arrived home from my trip, my cat Artemis wanted lots of attention and was happy to be combed; so I took the opportunity to catch up on nearly two week’s worth. I ended up with enough to provide winter coats for a dozen hairless cats. Or you could order a copy of the book I gave my adopted brother Kim a couple of years ago, Cat-Hair Hats for Cats: Craft Fetching Headwear for your Feline Friends. Perfect! I have a copy of Crafting with Cat Hair, but it suggests mostly simple projects like finger puppets and coin purses. This book looks much more creative.Related Links