FOOD + DRINK
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE ! CONT .
Mit Milch , Hythe @ mitmilchcoffee
A specialty shop with over a decade in the industry , Mit Milch goes much further than just serving a simple cup of coffee . insideKENT spoke to Mit Milch ’ s Luke Reene to understand the ethos behind the shop . “ When it comes to sourcing coffee , we found that while there is a strong emphasis on origins on a country level , there isn ' t as much of a push of knowledge in regards to every part of the journey that origin goes through . So , with this in mind we placed emphasis on our own responsibility of being the last part of the process , a stage which can actually really undermine everything that came before if done badly ”
“ We treat our coffee with respect ,” says Luke . “ We like to build relationships with roasters and rotate roasters every month . Through that month we work our way through as many of their offerings as possible so we appreciate each one more . We are only a 12-sqm space off the high street , so it is important for us to offer the absolute best we can and pair that with a strong community basis that starts naturally with a coffeehouse , but needs to be nurtured to reach its full potential .
Being part of a great community of coffee outlets in the area , we are big believers in community not competition and spend a lot of our free time in other people ' s outlets . Some of our strongest friendships over the years have been formed with the people we serve on the other side of the bar and that really is part of the beauty of coffeehouses as a whole . They are a place for inclusion , exchanging of ideas and building relationships .”
As well as coffee , Luke tells us that Mit Milch ’ s carefully chosen snacks and cakes go down a treat too . “ Little Jack Horners ’ pork and Seville orange marmalade sausage rolls and Cakesmiths ’ incredible vegan cinnamon sourdough sticky buns are our customer favourites . Drinks wise , flat whites are the clear winner and understandably so when our non homogenised milk from Plurenden Manor Farm Dairy hits that espresso shot !”
Orchard Lane Coffee House , Sandgate www . orchardlanecoffeehouse . co . uk
Speciality coffee house Orchard Lane has become a treasured gem in the picturesque seaside town of Sandgate . Not just serving cups of coffee from the calm sanctuary that is their premises , Orchard Coffee also brings a whole host of artisan coffee-based products to the customer - even a vegan friendly coffee skin scrub ! Embracing different roasters , products and brands , Orchard Coffee stock a meticulously selected array of coffees to choose from , and along with finding your perfect cup , you will also find your perfect cake and snack . Swedish buns , brownies , tarts and one-off delights such as the peach and apricot sponge with brûlée topping make it the ultimate seaside spot for coffee and cake . As well as being experts in the coffee field , Orchard are such fans of quality and variety that they don ’ t print menus due to always alternating different , trusted brands . “ Our filter coffee offering features some of the finest coffees from the best roasters in the UK , brewed to perfection every time ,” they say . “ One day we might print a menu , but in the meantime , just ask the guys and they ’ ll fill you in !”
88