April coffe has long been known in Copenhagen for being very serious about their coffee. Their cafe was small but very minimalistic in a very trendy way. A few months ago they moved to an even bigger place. The focus here is to elevate the coffee experience even more.
To do that they created an even bigger coffeee menu with a series of rare coffee beans but also a new menu. A menu that even made the Danish newspapers. The reason was that is is a 6 “course” coffee tasting menu costing $120.
As those who have been to Copenhagen knows that it is a city with incredible quality restaurants, bakeries, cocktailbars and the likes and that its also an expensive city. However this is another level even for Copenhagen. Lissoning to the owner it makes sense though. He wants to create a coffee experience at the same level as the Michelin starred restaurants. Naturally I was eager to give it a try.
Arriving at April a large table was reserved for us. Quickly after arriving a coffee “cocktail” arrived. A classic cold espresso served with tonic. This sounds and looks classic which is is its just better than I have tried before.
The next two coffees would be filer coffees prepared table side. Talking to the baristas it was clear that they were absolutely experts on coffee. They seemed to know everything and nothing in the experience was by chance from the kind of coffee brewer was used to pouring techniques, to the handmade coffee cups from Turkey to naturally the coffee it self. Again all of these small choices made a big difference. It’s safe to say that it was the best cup of coffee I have ever had.
We would continue with an espresso and an espresso with milk. The last one would blow me completely away. I kind of knew that would happen as I heard the description. They had mixed in a bit of coconut milk with normal milk, frozen it all so that they could take away water to intensify the flavor. Guess what? It helped. It was such an exotic coffee. It also showed me that they think like a chef in terms of using techniques to build and enhance flavor.
We would finish with a dessert in the form of shaved ice based on a espresso and combined with creme and mascarpone. Again it was such a refined dish that again showed a different side to coffee than I have tried before.
We left April a little less than 2 hours after we arrived. We arrived filled with caffeine but not least a better appreciation for coffee. Before I always considered my self a coffee snob but this was something else. It wasn’t just about selecting the best coffee and making it the same way that everybody else does. No it was about diving into the personality of each coffee to find out how to make it come to life.
The obvious question to ask for a menu of this kind is. “Is it worth it?” To me the answer is a big YES. Like a very good restaurants they use incredible products, their service is incredibly professional and king, their techniques are spot on, everything was very delicious and they left me with a new appreciation and curiosity for coffee.
Website: April Coffee Roasters in Copenhagen
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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