The Albanian capital’s distinctive tradition and appreciation for espresso is seen within the metropolis’s specialty outlets.
BY MICHAELA TOMCHEK
SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE
Pictures by Michaela Tomchek
Albania is a mountainous nation, hugging the coast of the Adriatic Sea with lovely and quiet seashores. Its capital, Tirana, is nestled within the heart of the nation, with the ocean simply half-hour to the west. Ruins from earlier monarchies, pretty parks, and the Namazgah Mosque’s white stone rising within the heart of town make an enduring impression.
Tirana has a wealthy tradition, as soon as being part of the Ottoman Empire, and occasional is an enormous a part of that tradition. Cafés supply a plethora of drinks, and other people get pleasure from their patios, sipping espresso, smoking cigarettes, and chatting with pals properly into the evening. The specialty-coffee scene is sort of particular amongst cities in Europe, with three outlets particularly providing great espresso experiences.
Antigua Caffe
Wandering across the tall residence buildings adorned with hanging laundry and vegetation, you’ll quickly encounter Antigua Caffe, pioneers of the specialty-coffee scene in Tirana. Julia Bozo’s household began the corporate again in 1995, opening their very own specialty roaster. She opened her personal store in 2020 after returning dwelling from the UK to convey high-quality espresso to her dwelling. She mentions that she “needed to create an area that held numerous that means and served a deeper objective. An area the place folks couldn’t solely discover the superb number of tons of of flavour notes but in addition be taught concerning the craft and large quantity of labour behind it.”
Antigua Caffe is a real cultivator of specialty espresso in Tirana, with the store serving their very own espresso along with different European specialty roasters similar to Fjord in Berlin. Not solely is the espresso distinctive (I had a tasty Colombia Chemex), however additionally they serve some delectable pastries and vegan snacks to accompany your espresso journey.
When requested concerning the espresso scene in Tirana, Julia notes that locals sometimes favor espresso due to the Italian affect. Nonetheless, the scene is “vibrant and quickly evolving. Conventional espresso bars are a staple of every day life, and in recent times, there was a big rise in additional trendy espresso outlets. Town is doing nice in mixing its wealthy espresso tradition with new traits, creating a various and dynamic espresso expertise.”
Julia additionally notes that cafés are starting to veer away from lower-quality robustas and focus extra on higher-quality arabicas. Nonetheless, the time period specialty espresso shouldn’t be well-known in Tirana. Julia notes “that hole in consciousness is step one we have to climb. With Antigua we have been keen to alter the established order and we’re really recognized for being the pioneers of specialty in Albania, which is each an excellent honor and duty.” She additionally says that “an enormous a part of our neighborhood consists of vacationers and expats who’re already into specialty. Nonetheless, it makes us very joyful to confess there’s additionally a rising variety of Albanians who’re beginning to recognize a bit zing of their morning gasoline.”
The Espresso Lab
After wandering round and climbing the Pyramid of Tirana or in search of the Tirana Fortress, cease by The Espresso Lab for a really native expertise. Located on the Rruga Nikolla Tupe, The Espresso Lab is tucked away from the bustle of the middle of town. Beans are roasted on this store, they usually have an array of drinks to strive together with espresso, cappuccino, and one thing known as a Spicy Latte—a creamy, cinnamon-infused beverage. The Espresso Lab makes use of a U-Roast micro-roaster, and roasts a few of their very own espresso in-house; they lean towards darker roasts, most well-liked by the clientele. That is really a neighborhood expertise, sipping espresso on leather-based sofas inside surrounded by dangling lights and vegetation, or sitting exterior on the patio, listening to the occasional hum of automobiles as they go.
Folks in Tirana love espresso-based drinks, so The Espresso Lab is a superb spot to immerse your self in Albanian espresso tradition. Nibble on a cookie and loosen up as you hearken to the chatter of the neighborhood. Specialty espresso remains to be catching on in Tirana, however The Espresso Lab is an excellent option to see how locals are working to enhance the espresso scene, constructing a bridge from the strong previous to the intense way forward for espresso in Albania.
Hana Nook Café
Simply close to the bustling space of Blloku, you’ll encounter a vigorous road with loads of eating places and outlets. It’s right here the place Hana Nook Café serves its prospects, its yellow partitions greeting you as you enterprise farther down the road. The café itself is small inside, with a communal desk, native artwork, and loads of books lined up alongside the again wall. An array of pastries is displayed on a counter, and varied espresso brewing equipment are awaiting your order simply behind. And … they serve quite a lot of vegan and gluten-free treats similar to delectable truffles and peanut butter cookies. Loads of native, natural, and vegan choices promise a tasty expertise.
The store was opened in 2022 by Uarda Begaj, a neighborhood who, after spending 18 years in Berlin working as a pc scientist in AI, determined to return dwelling and open a espresso store. She craved to open a calmer café area in comparison with the same old loud spots in Tirana. “Albania has a espresso tradition of going to espresso outlets with folks, no locations to go alone. So, Hana affords books to lone patrons and workshops,” mentions Uarda, noting that “folks really feel snug coming alone, with a robust sense of belonging, prospects say it looks like dwelling … after virtually two years it’s far more than only a espresso.”
Not solely is Hana a spot for excellent espresso and a snack, it’s a place of neighborhood with locals partaking in lessons, artwork, and gathering with pals. It has a stunning patio, heat inside, and plenty of choices for alternatives to discover ways to embroider, pottery, and baking. Visiting Hana made me want I used to be a neighborhood so I might spend my time attending the occasions, making pals, and studying learn how to be extra inventive.
Uarda really tells me that half of her patrons are foreigners who determined to dwell in Tirana, and now name Hana dwelling. There’s a free workspace within the again for digital nomads, and he or she has plans to develop. By September, there can be a brand new kitchen, with brunch being supplied, the primary farm-to-table expertise for folks in Tirana. Hana can be plastic-free and low-waste. They roast their very own espresso at a roastery within the close by seaside city of Sarandë; the beans are hand-selected by Uarda, and he or she ensures the roast suits the profile her patrons search when consuming cappuccinos, pourovers, or espresso.
Hana affords espresso drinkers of all stripes an opportunity to loosen up and really feel at dwelling as they sip on wonderful espresso and eat some scrumptious native meals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michaela Tomchek finds espresso an essential a part of life and the world. She is an appreciator of the crop, the producer, and the various cafés all through the world serving lovely drinks. Presently, she writes about espresso, hoping to unfold her pleasure throughout the globe.
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