Best Independent Cafe in Vancouver: Kafka's Coffee & Tea

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A ray of sunlight came in, quietly, sprinkled all over the corner, tree shadow, light and shadow, KAFKA'S Logo oblique reflection to the wall, and next to the large boldface Immersed and Enthralled overlap, reflect. The guests are still chatting, completely unaware, their back has been warmly illuminated by this ray of sunshine, all this is sitting in another corner of my eyes, together with that piece of art, constitute the scenery in my eyes.

This cafe is called KAFKA'S, which is opened in Main Street and E Broadway, because I often come to Main Street. I know that there are all kinds of chain stores and independent cafes in this area, and every big name has a place here, and each one is more and more famous, such as 49th Parallel Coffee, JJ Bean, Bean Around the World Coffees, Matchstick Coffee Roasters, Milano Coffee, Gene Cafe, Starbucks, and Tim Hortons. There must be something special about opening another cafe in such a competitive area.

KAFKA'S has been open for just a few years, with continuous praise and repeated awards. This year, her family was named the Best Independent Cafe (Best Independent Coffee Shop) by 2017 Golden Plates. I always keep an eye on Golden Plates Awards. Every year, Georgia Straight readers vote for the most popular place to eat, drink and have fun in Dawen. It is right to eat and drink according to their guidelines!

The cafe is also interestingly named after the Czech novelist Franz Kafka (Franz Kafka), who is known as one of the most important writers of the 20th century. I guess the owner of the cafe must be his fans, so I searched the Internet for information about the writer to find out how they happened to coincide.

Here is a passage from Kafka's masterpiece Castle The Castle that I would like to share with you. Personally, I think it is both sad and poetic, very romantic.

"there is no quiet place for us to fall in love, so I hope there is a grave, deep and narrow, where we cuddle tightly, my face is hidden in your arms, your face is in my arms, and no one will ever see us again."

However, most of Kafka's works are very negative, which is related to his background and life experience. He was born into a German-speaking Jewish family in Prague. At that time, Jews were oppressed and excluded in Europe. Most of his stories were written strangely, using many fables and imaginations to give these works a unique sense of mystery. so that everyone who has finished reading the novel has a different understanding and interpretation, which is the charm of his novel.

And how does everyone feel the same when drinking coffee? The coffee here, like Kafka's works, can always be left to people's imagination. The brewing of coffee is not mechanical, and there is no only criterion for judging whether it is good or bad. Different times, places, moods and preferences will drink different tastes. Even the same coffee beans, such as their Columbia, may taste different because of water or weather this week and the week before. If after drinking a cup of body and mind is to enjoy, there is a good aftertaste, it is good coffee.

Pour Over Coffee (hand brewed coffee)

Back to the point, once in KAFKA'S, her home decoration is really nothing special, white walls, wooden tables and chairs, green potted plants, floor-to-ceiling windows, very simple, just like a supporting role, not to rob the luster of coffee. You don't have to look around and take pictures, just Order the coffee. As soon as I went to the counter, I looked up and saw the Menu hanging high, which said Pour Over (hand-brewed coffee). After inquiring, I learned that her family Pour Over is very famous and must not be missed. Instead of making expresso (espresso), I can get a close look at the barista's craftsmanship, from grinding, steaming, extracting, watching the birth of a cup of coffee step by step, which is why I later fell in love with this cafe.

The barista and I talked as we talked, and the aroma of coffee filled the air. She would tell me what to do, what to pay attention to, and what to pay attention to. I learned a lot from the demonstration in just a few minutes. As a coffee drinker, he often patronizes different cafes, but has little contact with the production of coffee, nor does he have the opportunity to learn to make a cup of coffee. Every time the barista stands behind the machine and operates, he always has a sense of distance and a bit of machinery. They operate skillfully and know everything like the back of their hand, but they have little communication with the guests. Compared with KAFKA'S, the coffee they brew gives people a sense of sameness and lack of vitality. In KAFKA'S, after watching the whole handmade process, people can't help but look forward to this cup of coffee, can't wait to taste it, and are very impressed after drinking it.

To share with you some of the little Tips that the barista taught me:

1. The water for brewing coffee is 95 degrees, which can be measured with a thermometer. The hand punch pot is Hario, because it is a fine mouth design, the water output is easier to control.

2. Steaming: pour water from the center, circle outward, and stop as soon as the water is over the coffee. The coffee will expand into white bubbles and stand for 40 seconds. When the coffee stops expanding and the carbon dioxide is completely released, you can continue to add water.

3. Haste makes waste. Make coffee patiently, inject water evenly, circle from the center to the outer circle, and operate repeatedly for about 2 minutes.

4. The coffee is ready, and now you can enjoy it! In fact, as long as a little attention, it is not difficult at all.

Syphon (siphon coffee)

Life sometimes requires a sense of ritual, and coffee is no exception. Appreciating the coffee-making process is a ritual that makes coffee making even better. After watching the Pour Over demonstration, I ordered another Syphon (siphon coffee), which is so cool to operate! It's like doing an alcohol furnace chemistry experiment.

The barista recommended to me that Syphon is a very good choice if you like to drink coffee with a lighter flavor. The principle of Syphon is actually very simple, which is to heat the gas in the pot and increase the pressure to push the water to the pot to extract the coffee, so that the coffee tastes more smooth and smooth. If you don't talk too much nonsense, let's get started!

1. Heat the pot over high fire first, and the top pot is only inserted obliquely. Curious about why, the barista explained that the water temperature is not high enough now. If you have to wait until the next pot is bubbling, the water will rise to the top pot.

2. Pour in the freshly ground coffee powder and stir it gently with a bamboo stick, not in a circle but with pressure. At this time, the barista is constantly adjusting his firepower. The firepower should not be too large to avoid burning.

3. After stirring, let sit for 45 seconds, wrap the pot with a cold towel prepared in advance, and then the coffee will flow back to the pot. The barista told me a trick: fresh and good coffee will show a bulging shape with bubbles on it. I picked it up and smelled it. Sure enough, it smelled of peanuts.

4. Pour into the warm pot and cup and you can enjoy it beautifully. It really doesn't taste that bitter. The taste is obviously fruity and there is no need for milk or sugar.

Expresso Coffee (espresso)

Sometimes early in the morning, when my stomach is empty and I want some coffee with milk, I order Gibraltar (Gibraltar) or Spanish Latte (Spanish latte), the former is espresso with milk foam, no sugar is not sweet; the latter is slightly sweet mixed with brandy, I like to go with a hot Savoury Scone, put on fresh butter, sit on the leather sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window with this book, and enjoy breakfast slowly.

Art gallery

The cafe is actually an art gallery, regularly exhibiting the works of local artists and exchanging art while tasting coffee. Every time I visit, I can see a different exhibition. Although I went there for their coffee, I have to admit that with those works of art, the whole environment has improved a lot, and I can also fake my literary style.

KAFKA'S is a combination of coffee and art. Making a cup of high-quality coffee is like creating a work of art. Do you also have the impulse to become a barista?

Kafka's Coffee & Tea

Address: 2525 Main Street,Vancouver

Tel: (604) 569-2967

Business hours:

Monday to Thursday: 7:00am-10:00pm

Friday: 7:00am-8:00pm

Weekends and holidays: 8:00am-8:00pm