From Caballito to Puerto Madero: Specialty Coffee Scene Tour in Buenos Aires

a “feca” to dry a tear in the jug or one chopped. The Buenos Aires coffee tradition dates back to early 20th century and although the country does not produce a single grain, it has always been a pretext for the meeting between porteños. However, everything has changed in recent years and almost parallel to the arrival of craft breweries, specialty coffee was born, offering a high quality product, with different varieties and professionally prepared by baristas.

It is that since 2019 we have seen it a boom specialized cafes in the capital Buenos Aires, that little by little they became new neighborhood cafes, thus replacing the older and classic premises. In recent years, coffee culture has broadened its horizons and is not limited to this melancholy gesture of more traditional bars.

Work the grain and its traceability, know its origin, harvest and method, highlight specific characteristics and have absolute knowledge of the raw material are just some of the keys to producing this coffee that has driven over the past decade a movement that emphasizes sustainability, traceability and fair trade. As happened a long time ago with cocoa, coffee is experiencing a revolution in terms of quality.

Corn, What exactly? The definition of “Specialty coffee” it’s actually quite simple. According to the website of the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), Coffee is considered a “specialty” when a certified coffee taster rates you with a score of 80 or higher on the 100 point scale of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Thus, if a coffee obtains a score above 80 on the 100 point scale and meets these criteria, it is by definition a “specialty”.

“It is distinguished by quality craftsmanship, from the selection of fruits in the crops to the arrival in the consumer’s cup. The public of Buenos Aires is looking for consume better coffees, enjoy a quality drink, enjoy the service of a cafeteria and take the beans to prepare in her house”, maintained in dialogue with this medium, young people Valeria Sanchez, barista and roaster, and founder of the brand new Custom coffee to Rocking horse

Argentina is starting to catch up in terms of coffee culture with what is happening in other large metropolises. Already become a gourmet nicho, coffee is positioned as a possible luxury supported by higher quality standards, in tune with a society that increasingly values ​​good eating and the agroecological movement that is taking place on the sidewalk in the face of the chemical intervention of food. Coffee included.

“The coffee is a cultural symbol of Argentines. But now, The young consumers they want to know coffees of different origins and different methods of preparation, they know and frequent a circuit of specialty coffees, and when it comes to consumption, they are much more demanding ”, said in an interview with this media Martin Cabrales, heir to the country’s most important coffee empire.

12 proposals that offer a unique sensory experience

Foam

One of the novelties of the Colegiales. With options for all tastes (good coffee, tea, traditional pastries, vegan and gluten-free), This new coffee treasure is crossed by design and architecture. They serve coffee from Nicaragua roasted by Port Blest. A more: its huge sun terrace.

Where? Zapiola 1514, Collegiate churches

Custom coffee

It opened amid the coronavirus pandemic, in a location where a classic neighborhood tailor shop from 1975 operated. Its owners, Valeria and Santiago, have renovated it but have preserved all the history of the place. The new specialty café area in the district of Little horse, very close to Centennial Park, It not only houses a coffee machine, cups and a counter with baked goods; too some old irons, scissors, a sewing machine Standing singer and even a mannequin wearing a suit bag has its place.

Where? Av. Díaz Vélez 4674, Caballito

Altar

A coffee that mixes pastry, plants and tarot. Yes, tarot. Altar combines specialty coffee with tarot cards and plants. The coffee is Fire toaster, a mixture of Guatemala and Dulce Capricornio (Brazil). The planets have aligned to create this window of the good palace.

Where? Céspedes 3065, Collegiate Church

RVR Cafe

RVR It is located in front of a clothing store. He was born with the idea of ​​creating a dining experience that highlights the experience of coffee and croissants. This atypical but delicious cafeteria offers a seasonal menu that is renewed according to the products available depending on the season. They offer a careful proposal that favors production with good quality agroecological raw materials, with option gluten free and vegan.

Where? Malabia 1148, Villa Crespo

The black

The black transports you to typical Parisian cafes. Here they devote themselves almost exclusively to coffee, but there are savory options for midday or late at night. Of course, they have the famous croissant y pain au chocolat.

Where? Bonpland 1173, Villa Crespo / Virrey Loreto 3302, Colegiales

Coffee us

This corner of Belgrano could be part of the best international cuisine, with nothing to envy the most remarkable cafes. Its founder, the architect Fernando Iglesias Molli, was inspired by the café of Nordic culture and opted for a minimalist perspective for the facade of the place. On his page he defines himself as “passionate about architecture and coffee traceability”.

His star drink: “Öss Ten”, Cold coffee – cold drop from Nicaragua -, ginger ale, lemon, ice and sea salt. From the gastronomic offer, a delicious Banana pudding, or a toast with fresh cheese. Cafe al paso is a great option and the street bar is great for the warm season.

Where? Franklin D. Roosevelt 1894, Belgrano / Migueletes 1041, La Imprenta

Jisu

With a different architectural proposal, JISU, located in Puerto Madero, looks more like a public square than a specialty cafe. Since opening its doors, the place inspired by oriental culture has gone viral on social media due to the surprise generated by the design of its place, which It doesn’t have tables or chairs, but beds, plants, tiles, and concrete.

The foundation that the idea of ​​opening the premises was inspired by Jeju Island in South Korea and In addition to looking for space to have a Buenos Aires aura, they also wanted to give it little touches.

Where? Mariquita Sánchez de Thompson 367, Puerto Madero

Three

Agustina Roman, one of the women who know the best coffee in the country and former head of roasting at Grandmother, is now 100% dedicated to this personal project. In the bright corner of Teodoro Garcia and Cramer, This cafecito al paso opened on January 1, 2021 to kick off the year with a delicious coffee.

The strengths of his pastry: the red velvet biscuit y the Cinnamon.

Where? Teodoro García 2806, Colleges

Live coffee

It lives is a café specializing in Palermo Hollywood which combines Artisanal pastry shop with very good service, delicious coffee and an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Jonathan and Vanessa, Its founders, serve the premises and offer varieties of hot coffees such as cold specialties and Colombian hot chocolates.

“In Colombia, specialty coffees aren’t that old either. Six years ago, we wanted to bring this concept to Buenos Aires. At first we brought Colombian coffee, with medium / high acidity and hints of chocolate, as quality was not available here. We have always been very open. Without mistreating the coffee or neglecting the practices, we listen to the customer and try to give them what they want, ”he explained. Jonathan a Infobae.

Where? Costa Rica 5722, Palermo

Cigaló

It bears his name carajillo or cigaló in Catalan language, a drink made from coffee and cognac or other distilled beverage. It is usually served in a small glass and is typical of Spain. This project was born four years ago in Villa Urquiza and, at the end of last year, it spread to Colegiales and Palermo. Each has their own identity, but the same protagonist: filtering methods.

The proposal is completed by homemade pastry, daily production and signature drinks. The menu does not forget the famous matcha tea no with vegan options since almond milk coffee up to one vegan pumpkin pudding.

Where? Holmberg 2004, DOHO / Virrey Olaguer y Feliú 3405, Colegiales / Malabia 1575, Palermo

Kissaten Tostador

Kissaten Roasting pan takes up the oriental inspiration in the broad sense. Japan It is one of the markets that favored the third wave of coffee, as they call this phenomenon of almost a cult for the search for quality in each of the processes. The kaizen, and concern for the environment, in every detail, and in aspects of production and service are its core values.

Where? Arroyo 826, Retiro

LAB Toaster

A truly coffee roasting laboratory high quality which uses six different filtering methods. And in addition, it develops micro-lots with an exclusive design for the entire gastronomic sector.

“The type of grain It is essential to bring quality to the drink, knowing the origin and its transformation is the key to be able to apply a differentiated roasting ”, he assured. Infobae Alexis Zagdañski, its founder.

LABORATORY It is not only a cafeteria, but they offer amateur and professional courses for baristas where they pass on their knowledge and passion for coffee.

Where? Humboldt 1542, Palermo

Photos: Instagram

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