REPUBLIQUE is a specialty coffee shop in the heart of Stellenbosch. With a French flair in the ambiance and light snacks, Republique brings the artistry of coffee and tea to you. “Join us for a cup of coffee from our mod Bar or experiment with an alternative brew from our slow bar. We also offer loose-leaf tea, matcha and so much more. Come and meet our baristas and enjoy relaxing in the beautiful space we created for you.”
The beauty of this was that we decided to include this Taste Stellenbosch visit as a spontaneous, last-minute addition to the itinerary. We were seduced by the coffee pairing options being offered, and it was a good breakfast idea. Or second breakfast as the case may be.
What we weren’t expecting, but we appreciated, was the cupping experience they gave us. From Wikipedia, because gods forbid I use Google’s AI result: “Coffee cupping, or coffee tasting, is the practice of observing the tastes and aromas of brewed coffee. It is a professional practice but can be done informally by anyone …A standard coffee cupping procedure involves deeply sniffing the coffee, then slurping the coffee from a spoon so it is aerated and spread across the tongue. The coffee taster attempts to measure aspects of the coffee’s taste, specifically the body (the texture or mouthfeel, such as oiliness), sweetness, acidity (a sharp and tangy feeling, like when biting into an orange), flavour (the characters in the cup), and aftertaste. Since coffee beans embody telltale flavours from the region where they were grown, cuppers may attempt to identify the coffee’s origin.”
Being someone who likes coffee but is far from being a coffee expert, I am useless at cupping. Baristas look at me with such sadness when I confess to drinking instant at home. It’s good instant, okay? Same as when I’m getting a facial and asked about my skincare routine, which does not include expensive products. Elmarie Rabe, however, GM of Stellenbosch Wine Routes and avid coffee drinker, approached this with great enthusiasm. Her vast wine tasting experience didn’t hurt either, when it came to detecting flavour notes and aromas. We were guided by Shalom, who had the answer to every question and explained things in an easy-to-understand way.
Afterwards, we had two of the Taste Stellenbosch specials: Single Origin Batch Brew (black coffee) with a rich creamy cheesecake for R100; and artisanal simple ham and cheese toastie and flat white for R110. Other options are the Barista’s Recommendation (cortado and pourover) and pastry (R150), and carrot cake and Nigiro loose leaf Earl Grey tea (R95).
Republique is in Andringa Street, and with its pavement tables, gives a Parisian vibe. Inside there are card and board games, and items for sale, like art (and coffee of course). I was enchanted by the solo traveller (we surmised this from the wheelie bag he had with him) who was sat outside in the morning sun when we arrived, and enjoyed his coffee for the whole time we were there, before heading across the road to the bookshop (where we were also going). For me, that’s what Stellenbosch embodies. It’s not far from Cape Town but I feel like I am very much somewhere else, farther from home, like a tourist but one who has been there often enough to feel relaxed in the otherness. I love walking around the town, with its wine and coffee bars, tiny restaurants, galleries and boutiques.
There’s no need to book at Republique but see here for more info, and here for the Taste Stellenbosch offer.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bianca Coleman ©
