Threading together innovation, aesthetics and a passion for speciality coffee.
Number 20A of Heathcoate Street used to be the home of John Heathcoate, a pioneer in Nottingham’s 19th century lace market. Today it houses pioneers of the coffee industry, a space that is embracing new ways to brew and yielding incredibly high quality coffee as a result. As we navigate our way across Nottingham’s flourishing coffee scene Effy is a spot we turn to time and time again.
We visited Effy together for the first time on a sunny Sunday morning. We cycled through Hockly and parked up front, shutters still shut on most of the buildings adjacent. Entering in, it’s hard not to feel an instant sense of calm and curiosity. Tendrils of incense smoke unfurl over freshly baked cardamon knots and gleaming brown canelés. The glass case of pastries is set into the counter, inviting you to lean over and enter the space. A gleaming silver coffee machine sits centre stage, starkly set against the dark mauve walls. Visible from all angles, with a window bench on one side and a few tables towards the back of the room, there’s a sense of masters at work. Blue lines weave their way across the windows countertop, an homage to Hockly’s lace market and Number 20A’s previous dweller.
Coffee Jargon
The dynamic coffee menu that Effy has curated is enough to delight any coffee enthusiast. The menu is split into different categories, offering a variety of different levels which are grouped into house, rare, exceptional, competition and world class. While the house coffee has been wonderful on all our visits, Effy’s range offers the opportunity to try high quality coffee at rare affordable rates. This is made possible by a process developed by owner Mitch. When it comes to brewing espresso, the process Effy uses is quite unique. In short, by slowing down the flow rate and increasing the temperature the 20g split shots have allowed the store to offer more high value coffee at competitive prices without compromising extraction.
The coffee menu is constantly rotating, offering coffee from a variety of different high quality Europe based roasters such as Kawa, People Possession and Dak Coffee Roasters. While it could feel slightly overwhelming at a glance, the baristas are on hand to help you navigate through it. Knowledgeable and friendly, they were happy to give us their time and provide us with recommendations.
We listened and went with one of the ‘exceptional’ coffees for our pour over - an anaerobic thermal shock Columbian processed coffee Diego Bermundez roasted by Kawa- having expressed our love for a fruitier filter. For our flat white we opted for the house- a Colombian coffee Cocoa Deluxe from People Possession roasters. We headed back outside to sit with our bikes and soak up a little bit of sunshine.
The coffees came ensemble. Presented on a small aesthetically pleasing tray with two ceramic cups and glasses of water, the pour over truly was exceptional. As two coffee lovers who are still developing our ability to detect different tasting notes, we were delighted at the clarity of the peach and apricot throughout the drink. Rich and velvety, it reminded us of peaches and cream dessert.
The flat white was served up in an acme cup and was accompanied by a mottled teaspoon. The washed anaerobic coffee packed a punch with a full body and notes of cherry leading onto dark chocolate. The milk was incredibly light in texture and had us wishing we’d gotten one each.
Summary
It is a rare and lovely feeling when you leave a place and immediately yearn to return. Such is the case with Effy and we have spent many a morning wishing we lived next door. If you are intrigued by the menu of high quality coffee, take the plunge, make your day and upgrade the coffee you sip. Take a trip to Effy.
Where to find Effy:
20A Heathcoat St,
Nottingham
NG1 3AA