Showing posts with label Souderton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Souderton. Show all posts

Sunday, February 17, 2013

CC: Cubby Hole



Subject: The Cubby Hole
Location: Moorestown, NJ
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]


In the eastern part of the US, it amazes me that whole swaths of counties and states exist without a single coffeehouse that can serve a decent mug of coffee. I could draw mammoth circles on maps of NJ alone that encompass still bereft lands that have yet to possess an establishment that offers beans worthy of brewing.

Take the lovely town of Moorestown in southern Jersey. Voted one of the best towns to live by Money Magazine in 2011, this cute town of Quaker roots still seems to have a main street only barely holding on. As someone who grew up close by, I've always seen this main street as an opportunity waiting to happen, but of course the right stimuli also need to happen. One thing needed in my humble opinion is a great coffeehouse, a flower that still has yet to blossom. Oddly, the closest thing the street has to great coffee is a little eatery called the Cubby Hole.

Situated in a small, bland store front with a pair of outside tables, I actually had never wandered into the Cubby Hole's doors until my father mentioned they had good coffee. Not necessarily trusting my father's palate but at the same time owing him the respect to try out his recommendation, I took a visit one day. The interior proved not much too look at (a very muted decor with a space that actually has some potential for pizazz), the first sighting of their coffee took me by surprise. Sitting by the door were a couple of pump pots of One Village Coffee out of (somewhat) close-by Souderton, PA. Holding onto the hope that the coffee was brewed correctly and was fresh, I grabbed a cup of their Ethiopian. To my express delight, the brew packed a fruity punch along with some vanilla cookie, sassafras, english muffin and rose petal amidst a smooth, medium body; a flavorful and tasty African coffee.

While there was not an espresso machine in sight and an examination of the menu spoke of a simple eatery, I was still impressed with their coffee. Oddly enough, were this little eatery to take it to the next level with at least their coffee (never mind the other menu options), I think they could do some killer business. But for the time being, stop by the Cubby Hole for a good cup of drip coffee.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Mugged: Rwanda [One Village]

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Subject: One Village Coffee 
Mugged: Rwanda Gatare Station Bourbon
Rating: 4+ [see key]




Despite living and frequently traveling around the Philadelphia area, I've had surprisingly few dealings with One Village Coffee. Based out of Souderton north of the city, One Village has often served up decent beans in the times I've found them. Hence when an opportunity recently presented itself to sample their wares at home, I jumped at the chance. 

The first of the two coffees sent was their Rwanda Gatare Station Bourbon, a light roasted, wet-processed coffee that I sampled by pourover, siphon and french press infusions. 

The drip produced a brew that poured out a mild strawberry milkshake, Nesquick, some hay, corn chip, black tea and deep cherry on the back end. The resulting coffee was a flavorful yet mellow brew.

The french press demonstrated strawberry, wheat, a bit of cream and a nice tang of lemon. The brightest of the three cups, this infusion also held the least nuance.

The siphon rallied with more of a honey sweetness as well as heavy notes of cream, bran and twigs, along with flecks of sesame seed, well done steak and scotch amidst a medium body. A much more pungent concoction with a few odd notes, but overall still tasty.

To concisely put it, this Rwandan offered a good coffee that held my interest throughout. Give this Rwandan a go if you can get your mitts on it.  


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.