The MinderSite

Matcha Latte

izzy — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:41:06 +0000

Vegetarian & Vegan Lunch in Cambridge

izzy — Wed, 15 May 2024 13:22:31 +0000

The definition of a vegetarian diet is that vegetarians do not eat any food products that has been made from meat, shellfish, fish, crustacea or animal by-products like gelatine and rennet. The definition of a vegan diet is that vegans do not eat any food products that have come from animals, which includes products such as dairy and eggs. The number of individuals choosing to be vegetarian or vegan has been rapidly increasing year over year, so there is great demand for places to go eat that cater to these culinary preferences. This article explores the positive benefits of vegetarian and vegan food, where to eat that caters for vegetarians and vegans and what specific foods are available.

Benefits of a Vegetarian & Vegan Diet

There has been plenty of research to confirm that there are many benefits to eating a vegetarian and vegan diet. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, a vegetarian diet includes consuming a range of fibres, vitamins, minerals, sterols and phytochemicals. This in turn has a positive benefit on better blood pressure, improved body weight and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. A vegetarian diet improves results in lower cardiovascular disease morbidity, weight loss, reducing cholesterol levels that lower the risk of heart disease and also reduce the chances of certain types of cancer such as colon cancer. These benefits can have a great positive effect on the body and is no surprise that many individuals are choosing to have a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Vegetarian & Vegan Food in Cambridge

The City of Cambridge is home to many different places to go eat, from street food following food trends within the Cambridge Market Square, to cafes offering breakfast, brunch options and tea-time foods that cater to a plethora of different dietary requirements. Cambridge has a variety of great places that cater to vegetarians and vegans, one such place is The Minder of Site which is a cafe located in the city of Cambridge. The Minder is part of The Fellows House, which is a hotel that exudes luxury throughout. The Minder of Site aims to inspire guests and neighbours to make wise eating, drinking and lifestyle choices. The Minder is a great working space and an area to relax and enjoy delicious food and drink. The cafe offers an all-day menu that encompasses a breakfast, lunch and drinks menu. This cafe is proud to focus heavily on catering to many different dietary choices such as the vegetarian and vegan diet. The Minder of Site sources locally and ethically wherever possible and the plant-based food is the ultimate healthy treat. At The Minder you will also find gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options of homemade pastries, cakes, cookies and other desserts, ensuring everyone can indulge in the incredible creations of the chefs.

A popular vegetarian and vegan ingredient found in dishes is tofu. Tofu is rich in nutrients and is a complete source of protein that is known to have plenty of benefits like supporting heart health and managing cholesterol and blood sugar. The avocado salad is one of The Minder’s specials that is comprised of plant-based food such as tofu, mixed leaf, tomato and cucumber. Within the breakfast and lunch menu, there are vegetarian dishes such as Sage Scrambled egg, grilled mozzarella panini and waffles where you can choose a topping from maple syrup, chocolate, banana or berry compote.

The vegan menu offered at The Minder of Site consists of plant-based options such as pancakes and porridge both with a range of toppings to choose from, saute mushrooms on sourdough bread and The Minder special club sandwich consisting of plant-based ingredients. Vegan cookies and vegan cakes are also available for those with a sweet tooth. To ensure guests are satisfied, the sandwiches and panini on the menu can also be made into vegetarian or vegan, as long as you inquire in advance, which you can do by emailing hello@sitemindcr.cfd or phoning +44 (0)1223 949466.

View our menus

The Minder of Site is open every day from 8 am until 4 pm, perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch and tea time. The Minder of Site is a great vegetarian and vegan café, while also being an ideal place to work, relax and unwind with a great cup of coffee. The healthy drinks like our matcha latte and vegetarian and vegan dishes at our Cambridge coffee shop will always leave you feeling uplifted and energised for the day.

Visit us today at The Minder of Site!

Coffee Explained

izzy — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:02:47 +0000

Statistics show coffee is the most popular drink worldwide. Just in the UK alone, the British Coffee Association estimates that 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day! No wonder our population of coffee enthusiasts seek to try out different types of coffees, beans and roasts to enjoy a fantastic coffee.

Within this article all about coffee, we explain factors that affect our coffee flavour, from the type of coffee bean and species of coffee plant they come from to the type of roast that affects coffee flavour. This article also fully explains what the most popular coffees to drink are, how they are made and if you are local or visiting Cambridge, what is the best coffee shop in Cambridge to indulge your coffee taste buds in.

2 factors that affect coffee flavour

Types of coffee beans & species of coffee plant

One factor that affects coffee flavour is the difference in coffee beans, which has a highly significant impact on the taste of the coffee. There are more than a hundred varieties of coffee beans, such as Excelsa, Robusta, Liberica and Arabica, but the two most popular coffee beans served worldwide are the Arabica and Robusta.

The Arabica coffee was the earliest coffee species to be cultivated and is one of the most popular types of species of coffee bean drank today. Arabica coffee accounts for 60% of coffee production across the globe. There are several varieties of this coffee plant, but there are two dominant varieties of the Arabica: Typica and Bourbon. They largely grow in South America and are mainly used in high-end coffee drinks, due to their flavoursome taste always creating the best-tasting coffees.

The Arabica coffee bean can be identified by its flat dome and oval shape. The coffee beans of the Arabica coffee plant own the flavour of a smooth, sweet and delicate coffee taste, that many of us as coffee connoisseurs prefer.

The Robusta coffee is known for the caffeine kick a lot of us expect from a cup of coffee. This is due to the Robusta coffee bean having almost twice the amount of caffeine than the Arabica. This species of coffee plant is mainly cultivated in Indonesia and Vietnam, and predominantly derived from the Coffea Canephora plant. The Robusta coffee bean is smaller and more circular in size compared to the Arabica. The Robusta makes up about 25% of the world’s coffee production and is generally cheaper than the Arabica. The flavour of the coffee beans of the Robusta plant is described as an earthy, grainy, bitter and acidic taste, with a hint of chocolate and nutty tones.

The Arabica is typically much more expensive than the Robusta, due to the durability of the plants they are derived from. The Robusta can survive all year long, unlike the Arabika which is quite fragile. So if the price of your coffee is a priority, you know which to choose and why there is a variation in cost. If you are looking for a great-tasting coffee Arabica coffee is your best choice, but if you need a caffeine kick choose a coffee made with Robusta beans. If you would like a blend of both coffee beans, you can find coffee blends that mix the Arabica and Robusta together to give the perks of both coffee beans.

Type of roast

The second factor that affects coffee flavour is the type of roast. It takes years of training to become a professional at coffee roasting. There is only a matter of seconds between having a perfectly roasted coffee to a not-so-good batch. There are 4 standard categories of roasts: light, medium, medium-dark and dark roasts. To debunk a myth, the darker and stronger flavour of a dark roast does not correlate with a higher concentration of caffeine. The truth is that light and dark roasts have similar concentrations of caffeine, with only a very small variation.

Light roasts are light brown in colour and have a milder coffee taste and acidity hint to it, due to the short amount of time they were roasted. Roasting the coffee bean for this duration is not enough time for the oil inside the bean to break through to the surface. Medium roasts are brown in colour and have a stronger flavour with a balanced aroma and hint of acidity. Medium-dark roasts have a darker brown colour, as some oil has seeped through to the surface, resulting in a bittersweet aftertaste. The dark roasts are the darkest in colour and are of a shiny black colour. They have an oily surface and have a significant amount of bitterness in taste.

All of these coffee roasts produce great coffee depending on everyone’s individual coffee taste preference.

Types of popular coffee drinks

There are a vast amount of different coffee drinks, but here is how the top 6 popular coffee drinks are made.

Espresso

Espresso Single: 1 shot of espresso

Highly concentrated coffee
Also known as short black

Espresso Double: 2 shots of espresso

Also known as doppio which is the Italian word for double
Highly concentrated and strong coffee

Espresso Macchiato Single: 1 shot of espresso topped with a dollop of heated foamed milk

Concentrated coffee
Also served in a small 2-4 oz cup

Espresso Macchiato Double: 2 shots of espresso topped with a dollop of heated foamed milk

Highly concentrated strong coffee
Served in a 3-4 oz cup

Piccolo

1 shot of espresso with 2 oz of steamed milk and on occasion a layer of foamed milk

Piccolo translates into ‘small’ in Italian
Typically served in a 3-4 oz glass

Cappuccino

1-2 shots of espresso + 2 oz. of steamed milk + 2 oz. of foamed milk + sprinkling of chocolate powder which is optional

Served in a 6-8 oz cappuccino mug
Creamy coffee drink, popular at breakfast time
Due to the thick foam layer, the cappuccino is associated with indulgence and comfort

Latte

1 shot of espresso + 8-10 oz of steamed milk + 1cm of foam

Latte is considered an introductory coffee drink for new coffee users, due to the acidity and bitterness of the coffee taste being hidden by the amount of milk
Typically different flavouring syrups are added to the drink for those with sweeter tooth

Flat White

2 shots of espresso and 4 oz of steamed milk

Served in a 6 oz glass Tumbler
Originates from New Zealand and Australia
Similar to a cappuccino but lacks the foam layer and chocolate powder

Americano

1 shot of espresso and 3oz of hot water

Popular breakfast drink
Served in a 5-6 oz glass coffee mug

The Minder of Site

To enjoy any one of these coffees above, The Minder of Site is a cosy and friendly coffee shop in Cambridge, that takes pride in serving their speciality coffees. The Minder of Site is inspired by the heritage of the Fellows of Cambridge, depicting this with artwork dedicated to the Fellows, all in a luxurious inviting coffee shop. Each one of the coffees is created using the Resolute from Origin Coffee, which can be enjoyed with different notes such as nectarine, honey and white chocolate. For decaffeinated coffees, The Minder of Site uses Atlas Decaf which uses an all-natural Sugarcane process and can be enjoyed with notes of apple, chocolate, and caramel. The Minder also offers a unique Matcha latte that is hard to find across coffee shops in Cambridge. Whether you are in Cambridge for a visit, work, or a local, this coffee shop in Cambridge is always open for you to pop in to enjoy a fantastic coffee or try out the Matcha latte to enlighten your taste buds. At The Minder of Site, every coffee can be enjoyed with fresh baked goods like pastries and cakes. Other drink options are also available like classic tea and healthy juice.

This luxury cafe in Cambridge also serves delicious breakfast and lunch menus, including dishes like smashed avocado, pancakes and paninis. The Minder of Site is open every day from 8 am until 4 pm, perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch and tea time. If you enjoyed the coffee so much, you can purchase a bag of Resolute from Origin Coffee to take home to enjoy the great coffee in the comfort of your own home. The Minder of Site is an excellent coffee shop in Cambridge and a great place to start your day at.

Co-working cafe in Cambridge

izzy — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 11:20:11 +0000

In today’s fast-paced world, the lines between work, study, and leisure often blur. Finding the perfect place where you can be productive and inspired can be a challenge. That’s where co-working cafes come into play. These unique spaces offer the best of both worlds, allowing you to work or study while savouring delicious coffee and cakes while being immersed in your work in a cosy cafe ambience.

There’s something truly magical about the experience of studying or working in a cafe, especially when the weather isn’t as sunny and welcoming as it was during the warm summer months. And knowing the rich academic heritage of Cambridge University city, as well as the fact that the new generations of students highly prioritise their studies, it is important to welcome visitors, who are looking for a productivity and inspiration haven, where they can not only study and work, but also enjoy deliciously brewed coffee. Such a space can be found on Milton Road at The MinderSite Cafe.

Productive and inspiring atmosphere

At The Minder of Site, getting lost in your work or academic pursuits without any interruptions will be easy. The cafe is well known for its tranquil and inspiring atmosphere, where guests can co-work, study, and get work done in a truly cosy space. The cafe’s ambience, accompanied by classical music, offers a great setting to help you stay focused.

What really sets The MinderSite Cafe apart in the context of productivity, is its academic, inspiring and bright atmosphere. The artwork adorning the cafe’s walls reflects the historic city of Cambridge, renowned for its academic heritage. You’ll find paintings showcasing Cambridge University Fellows such as Charles Darwin, providing guests with an inspiring atmosphere, where they can immerse themselves in their work, much like the true Cambridge Fellows of the past. On top of that, other pieces of art highlight the quirks and culture of the city, which may interest both the locals and new visitors to the city alike.

The importance of space becomes truly important in order not to break focus when you’re hard at work. The Minder of Site offers plenty of room for you to comfortably set down your laptop, books, notes, and any other supplies. So you won’t have to worry about squeezing into a tiny coffee table space.

Delicious coffee to help you stay energised and productive

No co-working or studying session is complete without a great cup of coffee. The experienced baristas at The Minder of Site will craft the finest hot drinks to keep you energised throughout your visit. At this Cambridge cafe, you will find a diverse range of coffee options, from classics such as espressos, smooth lattes, and cappuccinos, as well as many others. On top of that, you can choose from a variety of different plant-based milks, to suit any intolerances or allergies.

And if you wish to enjoy The Minder of Site coffee during your home study sessions, you can now purchase speciality coffee beans that the baristas use to brew coffees at the cafe. There is a wide selection of flavour profiles and intensities, making sure everyone can find their perfect brew. One such speciality coffee we offer is Los Altos – indulgent coffee beans enriched with subtle tones of almond, chocolate, and brown sugar to uplift your day.

Tasty pastries and cakes

And while you’re working hard, don’t forget to reward yourself with a well-deserved treat. Our Cambridge cafe boasts a delectable selection of snacks, pastries and cakes. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury, we have something to delight your taste buds. Aside from the classic and popular cakes and pastries, you will be able to find plenty of unique flavours. The MinderSite Cafe always encourages the team of pastry chefs to experiment and add their own special twists to the classic flavours. This also keeps it exciting for our guests, who always get to try out new and delicious sweet creations.

Most importantly, the desserts are made using fresh and locally sourced ingredients, thus allowing us to stay sustainable whenever possible. Alongside using the best ingredients, we also work hard to cater to various dietary needs by offering plenty of vegan and gluten-free cakes, muffins, and cookies, as well as breakfast and lunch options.

So come and join us at The Minder of Site, whether it’s for a productive work or study session or simply to enjoy delicious coffee and cakes in a cosy and inspiring atmosphere.

Coffee in Cambridge

izzy — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:31:10 +0000

Coffee culture in Cambridge

Cambridge, a historic city nestled along the River Cam in England, is renowned for its prestigious university, striking architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Beyond its academic allure, the city offers an array of delights to visitors and residents alike, with one of such being its rich and vibrant coffee culture. The city offers a wide variety of unique cafes, where people can not only grab a delicious coffee but also enjoy what each coffee shop has to offer. Some of such places are renowned for their lunches, indulgent pastries, and snacks, meanwhile, some of them are popular for their authentic atmosphere and culture built around it. The city’s visitors will not be disappointed by the captivating world of coffee in Cambridge. Exploring its traditions, vibrant coffee shops, and the ever-evolving coffee scene, that perfectly complements the city’s historic atmosphere, will be a truly unique experience.

Coffee houses embraced by the city’s academics

Coffee’s journey to Cambridge traces back to the 17th century when it first arrived in England. The coffee-house culture quickly gained popularity among the intellectuals, offering a space for lively discussions and intellectual debates. Cambridge, with its scholarly atmosphere, welcomed the so-called coffee houses with open arms, and they soon became hubs for academic exchange and discourse.

One of the city’s most iconic traditional coffee-houses is the Eagle, which dates back to 1667. Located in the heart of the city, the Eagle was a favourite meeting place of famous scientists and researchers, including Francis Crick and James Watson, who announced their discovery of DNA’s structure at this cafe. Today, the Eagle stands as a historical landmark, preserving the city’s rich coffee heritage and its close connection to the city’s academia.

Traditional Coffee Shops

While Cambridge has evolved with time, it has carefully preserved its traditional coffee shops, which retain the charm of a previous time. Strolling through the cobbled streets, visitors can find these quaint establishments, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeates the air.

Fitzbillies, established in 1920, is a Cambridge coffee shop known for its delectable Chelsea buns and artisanal coffee. The owners of this renowned cafe, brothers Ernest & Arthur Mason, had always been delighting the people of Cambridge with their wide range of tasty baked goods and took great pride in their newly opened coffee shop. Even to this day, with its old-world ambiance, it offers a glimpse into the city’s past while satisfying modern palates.

The Orchard Tea Garden, located just outside Cambridge, provides a picturesque escape from the bustling city. It has served as a charming spot for coffee enthusiasts since 1897, surrounded by orchards and greenery, providing a serene atmosphere to enjoy a cup of coffee. Even to this day, after about 125 years since opening its doors, the cafe, surrounded by beautiful nature, serves its guests morning coffee, light lunches, and traditional afternoon tea. The latter is well-known and popular among the locals for its homemade scones.

Redefining the Cambridge Coffee Scene

While tradition forms the backbone of Cambridge’s coffee culture, the city has also embraced the growth of the modern-day coffee movement. The new coffee shops in Cambridge have revolutionised the coffee scene. They prioritise high-quality beans, incorporate unique brewing methods, and truly value the art of coffee-making. In addition, these establishments make it a point to accommodate the diverse dietary needs of coffee enthusiasts. Experience coffee like never before at these innovative cafes.

Hot Numbers Coffee, an embodiment of this movement, curates its coffee beans with meticulous care, sourcing from sustainable and ethical producers worldwide. Their baristas are skilled artisans, turning coffee-making into a unique experience. Hot Numbers has become a gathering spot for the city’s coffee enthusiasts and creative minds.

The Minder of Site is a leading cafe that combines history and innovation in the world of coffee. The cafe takes inspiration from the esteemed Cambridge University and its accomplished fellows, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in academic culture, through unique artwork adorning the coffee shop’s walls. This Cambridge cafe is dedicated to brewing exceptional coffee using the finest ingredients, creating an unparalleled experience for coffee enthusiasts in Cambridge. In addition to its expertly crafted beverages, The Minder of Site provides a wide range of lunch and pastry options, including lactose and gluten-free choices. They also make it effortless for visitors to find vegan or vegetarian options, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Rise of Specialty Coffee Roasters

Specialty coffee roasters have also found a niche in Cambridge, catering to the discerning tastes of coffee enthusiasts who prefer to savour their brews in the comfort of their homes. These roasters pride themselves on sourcing high-quality beans, often from single-origin farms, and carefully roasting them to bring out distinctive flavours and aromas.

Silver Oak Coffee is a prominent player in this realm, offering a wide range of freshly roasted beans that customers can purchase online or at local markets. The company’s commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing resonates with the city’s environmentally conscious population.

The Impact of Coffee on Cambridge’s Culture

Coffee in Cambridge is not just a beverage – it is a ritual that brings people together, forging connections and fostering a sense of community. The coffee shops, both traditional and modern, serve as meeting points for friends, colleagues, and students, where ideas are exchanged, and relationships are nurtured.

On top of that, the city is extremely popular among students, who love co-working and holding study sessions in the city’s cafes. Whichever cafe you stop at in Cambridge, you will see at least one student meticulously taking notes, reading, or typing away on their laptops, while enjoying a hot cup of coffee, thus maintaining the strong connection between academia and coffee culture, keeping it alive and thriving to this day.

The coffee shops of Cambridge have inspired artists, writers, and poets, who find solace and creativity within the walls of these establishments. Many famous literary works have been crafted in the city’s cafes, adding to the rich tapestry of Cambridge’s cultural heritage.

Coffee in Cambridge goes beyond being a mere drink – it is a part of the city’s culture, that has influenced its academic life, artistic pursuits, and sense of community. Whether enjoying a cup at a traditional cafe or savouring a specialty brew at a stylish and modern one, the experience of coffee in Cambridge is a journey that nourishes the soul and invites you to be a part of the thriving and vibrant coffee community.