Rich Coffee. Rich Culture.
Discover the Essence of Africa
Located in the vibrant heart of Umhlanga, Kwazulu-Natal, African Roots combines 100% premium single origin coffee paired with delicious African inspired food to bring you a cultural experience. Our goal is to promote Africa’s beautiful countries, different traditions, colourful cultures and stories - one cup at a time.
ESTablished in 2016 | Coffee shop in umhlanga
African Roots Cafe Restaurant
Hey there, coffee aficionados!
Welcome to African Roots.
Our story started began 2016, with a simple dream: to introduce premium coffee and healthy cuisine that celebrates our beautiful continent. We’re all about crafting an unforgettable cafe restaurant experience derived from our slogan – Rich Coffee | Rich Culture.
Embrace the warmth of our community-centered space, where the aroma of our carefully sourced African coffee intertwines with the richness of our diverse traditions.
Let's talk coffee
From Americano to Macchiato
The African Roots coffee experience is brought to you through an array of 100% Arabica coffee beans ranging from the Eastern Highland countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Premium Grade
Sustainably Sourced
Organically Packed
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TIPS AND TRICKS for brewing YOUR COFFEE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Use Fresh, High-Quality Beans:
Start with fresh, high-quality coffee beans. Look for beans that have been recently roasted and stored properly to maintain freshness. Arabica and Robusta are two primary species of coffee beans, each with its own distinct characteristics.
Arabica vs Robusta:
The main differences between them:
Flavor Profile: Arabica beans are generally considered to have a smoother, more complex flavour with hints of sweetness, acidity, and varying degrees of fruity or floral notes depending on the region where they are grown. Robusta beans, on the other hand, have a stronger, more bitter taste with earthy or woody notes. They often lack the subtlety and complexity of Arabica beans.
Caffeine Content: Robusta beans typically contain more caffeine than Arabica beans. In fact, Robusta beans can contain up to twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. This higher caffeine content contributes to the stronger, more bitter taste of Robusta coffee.
Appearance: Arabica beans are typically larger and have an oval shape with a slight curvature. Robusta beans are smaller and rounder in shape.
Price: Arabica beans are generally more expensive than Robusta beans due to their higher quality and more demanding growing conditions.
There are various types of coffee equipment and methods available for brewing coffee in a shop, at home or in the office. Some of these methods include:
Drip Coffee Maker: Drip coffee makers, also known as automatic coffee makers, brew coffee by dripping hot water over ground coffee beans. They are convenient and easy to use, making them popular for home use and office settings.
French Press: A French press, also known as a press pot or plunger pot, brews coffee by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in hot water and then pressing a plunger down to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee. It produces a rich and full-bodied cup of coffee.
Espresso Machine: Espresso machines brew coffee by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans at high pressure. They can produce a concentrated shot of espresso or be used to make various espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
Pour-Over Coffee Maker: Pour-over coffee makers, such as the Hario V60 or Chemex, involve manually pouring hot water over ground coffee beans using a filter cone. This method allows for precise control over brewing variables and produces a clean and flavorful cup of coffee.
AeroPress: The AeroPress is a portable coffee maker that brews coffee by pressing hot water through coffee grounds using air pressure. It’s versatile, easy to use, and produces a smooth and rich cup of coffee.
Cold Brew Maker: Cold brew makers brew coffee using cold water over a longer period (usually 12-24 hours) to extract flavors. The result is a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk.
Moka Pot: A Moka pot, also known as a stovetop espresso maker, brews coffee by passing boiling water pressurized by steam through ground coffee. It produces a strong and concentrated coffee similar to espresso but with a different flavor profile.
Siphon Coffee Maker: Siphon coffee makers use a vacuum and vapor pressure to brew coffee. Water is heated in the bottom chamber, creating vapor pressure that forces water upwards through a tube into the top chamber containing coffee grounds. Once removed from heat, the brewed coffee is pulled back down through a filter.
Single-Serve Coffee Maker: Single-serve coffee makers, such as Keurig or Nespresso machines, brew individual servings of coffee using pre-packaged coffee pods or capsules. They are convenient and offer a wide variety of coffee options.
Manual Espresso Maker: Manual espresso makers, such as lever espresso machines, require manual pressure to brew espresso. They offer more control over the brewing process but require skill and practice to master.
Experiment With Brewing Methods: Explore different brewing methods such as Pour-over, French Press, AeroPress, or Espresso Machines to discover which method brings out the best flavors in your coffee beans.
Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat your brewing equipment, such as the coffee maker, French press, or pour-over dripper, before brewing. This helps maintain optimal brewing temperature and ensures even extraction.
Grind Your Beans Correctly: The grind size of your coffee beans is crucial for the brewing method you’re using. Different brewing methods require different grind sizes. For example, use a coarse grind for French press and a fine grind for espresso. Invest in a good quality burr grinder for consistent results.
Clean Your Equipment Regularly: Keep your brewing equipment clean to prevent any buildup of oils, residues, or stale coffee flavors that can affect the taste of your coffee. Clean your grinder, coffee maker, and other equipment regularly according to manufacturer’s instructions.
The best extraction time for brewing coffee can vary depending on several factors, including the brewing method, grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, and personal taste preferences. Here are some general guidelines for extraction times based on common brewing methods:
Espresso: The ideal extraction time for espresso is typically around 25 to 30 seconds. This time frame allows for the extraction of the desired flavors and compounds from the coffee grounds without over-extracting, which can lead to bitterness. However, some espresso recipes may call for shorter or longer extraction times depending on the coffee blend and desired flavor profile.
Pour-Over: For pour-over methods such as the Hario V60 or Chemex, extraction times usually range from 2 to 4 minutes. This allows for a slower, more controlled extraction process, resulting in a clean and balanced cup of coffee. Adjust the grind size and pouring technique to achieve the desired extraction time and flavor profile.
French Press: French press brewing typically requires a longer extraction time, around 4 to 6 minutes. Since the coffee grounds steep in hot water for a longer period, they have more time to release their flavors and oils, resulting in a full-bodied and rich cup of coffee.
Drip Coffee Maker: Drip coffee makers usually have built-in mechanisms to control extraction time automatically. The extraction time for drip coffee typically ranges from 5 to 7 minutes. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the recommended coffee-to-water ratio for optimal results.
AeroPress: AeroPress brewing is relatively quick, with extraction times ranging from 1 to 2 minutes. The pressure created during the brewing process helps extract flavors efficiently, resulting in a smooth and flavorful cup of coffee.
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and the best extraction time may vary based on factors such as the type of coffee beans, roast level, and personal taste preferences. It’s essential to experiment with different extraction times and adjust brewing variables to achieve the perfect cup of coffee for your palate. Additionally, using freshly ground coffee beans and maintaining proper brewing equipment cleanliness will contribute to a better extraction and overall coffee quality.
The ideal coffee-to-water ratio can vary depending on personal taste preferences and the specific brewing method being used. Here are recommended coffee-to-water ratios for these methods:
Espresso:
- Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:1.5 to 1:2 (1 part coffee to 1.5 to 2 parts water)
- For example, for a double shot of espresso (around 18-20 grams of coffee), you would typically use 36 to 40 grams of water.
Pour-Over (e.g., Hario V60, Chemex):
- Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15 to 1:17 (1 part coffee to 15 to 17 parts water)
- For example, for 30 grams of coffee grounds, you would use approximately 450 to 510 grams of water.
French Press:
- Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15 to 1:17 (1 part coffee to 15 to 17 parts water)
- For example, for 50 grams of coffee grounds, you would use approximately 750 to 850 grams of water.
Drip Coffee Maker:
- Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:16 to 1:18 (1 part coffee to 16 to 18 parts water)
- For example, for 60 grams of coffee grounds, you would use approximately 960 to 1080 grams of water.
AeroPress:
- Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:12 to 1:17 (1 part coffee to 12 to 17 parts water)
- For example, for 15 grams of coffee grounds, you would use approximately 180 to 255 grams of water.
These ratios are general guidelines and can be adjusted based on personal taste preferences. Experimentation with different ratios can help you find the perfect balance to achieve your desired flavor profile. Additionally, using freshly ground coffee beans and maintaining proper brewing equipment cleanliness will contribute to a better extraction and overall coffee quality.
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