There’s one thing Capetonians are renowned for and that’s “grabbing a quick coffee”. It’s our way of connecting and socialising in a relaxed environment with good brews and conversation.
In our final episode of Brews and Views, we do a little coffee run and convo with the baristas at the RLabs Coffee Trailer, a convenient stop to fuel your morning caffeine injection or a pick-me-up during the day.
RLABS COFFEE TRAILER
As we step into the trailer, mist from froth and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeates the air. This is the inviting atmosphere of the cosy trailer where we meet RLabs champion, Ainsley Petersen who tells us more about what he does in this space.
He says the trailer’s focus is much less a business and more “a point of contact for the community”. This cafe on wheels is a place where you can find out what Rlabs, the organization, has to offer and how you can be a part of what it brings to the Westridge precinct.
Ainsley quickly brews some coffee for our host, from premium coffee beans which he says forms part of a small percentage which gets exported to the rest of the world after Japan. So if you are lucky enough to get a little taste of that 20%, know that you are part of a select few who get to enjoy such a high quality coffee blend.
Ainsley expertly explains the difference between a smoother and darker blend of coffee. These distinct differences in taste and aromas, offer a superior blend for all types of coffee-lovers. Whether you prefer a silkier slide on the taste buds, or a titillating hit of something dark and deeper, this trailer offers exactly what you’re craving.
Next time you’re in the area, drop by the Rlabs Coffee Trailer to get a caffeine experience unlike any other.
Now every Sunday morning, in true Cape Town tradition, koesisters and coffee are standard. Take a walk with us to a Westridge local, whose family has been making these yummy Malay sweet treats for generations.
AAISHA MICHAELS
Aaisha Michaels is a local entrepreneur who has koesister making skills running in her blood. Koesisters are a traditional malay sweet donut-like bake, with a blend of aromatic spices, mixed into a dough and then deep fried until golden brown crisp on the outside with a warm flavourful soft centre.
Aaisha’s grandmother taught her and her siblings the art of making koesisters, and by continuing to make them, she has helped her keep this tradition alive. When asked why this treat would make an amazing cuisine experience for tourists coming to the region, she replied: “koesisters you only find in Cape Town, you can’t find it anywhere else.”
Her koeksisters have travelled across South Africa to places like Port Elizabeth and Pretoria. She gives us a demonstration on the baking process and effortlessly handles the dough with precision that comes from years of experience. The end result is a soft, plump, golden puff of deliciousness coated in simple syrup and coconut sprinkles.
By the looks of our hosts’ faces, there’s no doubt that Aaisha’s koesisters are well worth the wait.
If you stop by Cape Town whether as an international or national tourist, make sure to sample one of our gastronomic treasures, the Cape Malay koesister.
FLEET COFFEE COMPANY
We dive deeper into the coffee making industry with Cheslin Grobbler, the CEO of Fleet Coffee Company, which is a roastery and coffee distributor among other things.
Cheslin describes Fleet as a company which focuses on expanding the skill set of their workers so that an employee doesn’t only earn a salary but is set up with a life-long resource from which to draw inspiration.
In 2015, Cheslin and his business partner were inspired to start a business that ensures the people from their community are financially stable as he believes that financial insecurity is one of the main social ills in our community.
Cheslin explains how coffee is rated from entry level to premium. Here at Fleet, they play around with origins from Ethiopia, Guatemala, Colombia and Brazil. They have two blends: The Captain is for the premium blend drinkers and the Sailor is for those who want to gulp more than one cup a day.
Having more than one cup a day seems like a stretch, but not according to Cheslin as he boasts about how his employees create a rapport with their customers that makes you want to drink more coffee. He has set up a welcoming space and has curated an identity for his company, which makes Fleet a sought after hang-out spot for coffee-drinkers.
What makes this coffee company so tempting to the tourist is the interaction between customer and staff and also employee and employer. Cheslin believes without healthy and respectful interaction between each other, people won’t be drawn to enjoy inhabiting the space. After all, it is the stories of the people behind the coffee machines that add that character to what would otherwise just be a regular coffee spot.
The stories of these young men in the community which resonate with his own, have motivated Cheslin to give back meaning and hope to their lives. Fleet is more than just a business but it is a way of reconnecting with those who have had to fend for themselves without the luxuries some of us had growing up.
Fleet has sites mainly in the Winelands, Western Cape region and you can follow them on their social media platforms under Fleet Coffee Company.
If you are looking for a place in which to spend your money on good quality coffee but also pay it forward to the hardworking and inspiring staff, Fleet Coffee Company is one of the best places to do so.
So we come to a bittersweet ending of this season of Brews and Views. From local galleries, to cultural hotspots, community upliftment programmes and local entrepreneurs, our team thanks you for following us on our enriching excursions to find neighbourhood treasures, until next time!
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