After opening last summer as a one-of-a-kind shop selling top-quality coffees, Kávétársaság on Újbuda’s Sopron Road remains true to its specialized roots by offering premium caffeine boosts throughout the day, as well as occasional courses in coffee and tea. We stopped by to try many intriguing types of sublime java, and here we share the scoop about the varieties that are especially worth visiting.
Set amid a sea of office buildings on a narrow street of Újbuda, Kávétársaság’s sleek and inviting store sells coffees of the highest quality in whole-bean, capsule, and finely ground variations. Perusing the shelves, we spot eye-catching items like the brand by the son of reggae legend Bob Marley, or Jamaica Blue Mountain (currently ranked at third place on the list of the world’s most expensive coffees), and some more standard – but still excellent – varieties such as organic coffee and a classic Italian brand that has been on the market since 1948. Our top pick was the assortment produced by Sweden’s Johan & Nyström, containing beans from a wide range of unique growing areas in Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Sumatra, among others. Thanks to a nifty opening on the creatively designed packages, customers can even get a sneak preview of the coffee’s fragrance before making their purchase.A large and ever-expanding tea selection, presently comprising 38 premium varieties, is also available: the products of the aforementioned Swedish coffee roaster and tea merchant are a must, just like the wonderfully exotic Chai Latte, a spicy Indian tea made by combining tea powder and boiling hot milk – a delicious treat for colder days, especially around Christmastime. For a full list of all coffees and teas, check out Kávétársaság’s website, and while you’re there, feel free to place an order at the online store created for your convenience. Furthermore, if you’ve always dreamed of becoming a pro barista, the store has many high-tech coffee-making tools to choose from, such as professional coffee machines designed specifically for use at home.
Guests are welcome to drop by not only to expand their coffee-making arsenal, but also to get their daily fix of caffeine, perhaps in the form of a breakfast dish (599-799 HUF) with a steaming cup of their favorite brew; morning-meal options include freshly baked croissants and glasses of invigorating orange juice. To complement the permanent selection, a special item appears on the coffee menu every week (or in some instances, every few days), and seasonal delicacies are also regularly served to the delight of caffeine connoisseurs. The current specialty named Latte Piccolo tickles taste buds with flavors like chestnut, chocolate, roasted hazelnut, and almond. As Kávétársaság believes that consuming coffee should be a pleasure, which can be achieved if the customer finds the best possible variety for their exact preferences, the shop’s mission entails assisting more experienced and amateur coffee lovers in finding just what they need.
Hungarian coffee expert Zoltán Tóth is responsible for steering Kávétársaság’s professional direction, and drawing on eight years of devising and running coffee courses he now provides this educational service here, with plans to offer classes in English in the near future. The Hobby Barista (9,900 HUF) course reveals basics about coffee varieties and decoration, while Tea & Harmónia (8,990 HUF) teaches clients about tackling stress with tea, while the Cupping & Tasting (9,990 HUF) lesson provides in-depth knowledge of different coffee-making techniques.
