Coffee #1, Station Rd, Clevedon

Starting top left, clockwise: Flat White, Black Americano, Single Espresso

Starting with the name of this coffee shop, it is making a statement about its coffee! The website goes further with the http://www.coffee1.co.uk/about/our-coffee/ section. It talks about how much they love coffee and are “super passionate” and “a bit geeky”. So, after the promise, how does it taste?

Our dedicated team headed down to the Clevedon town centre this lunchtime on a mission. We each had a different style of coffee and reviewed our own. The results are surprising for the different responses from the same source espresso.

M's Flat White 

The coffee was very pleasant, the milk was textured nicely and at a good temperature but I prefer a more full bodied coffee flavour. 

 

Jim's Americano

A sunny day is a nice excuse for a wander to go and find some coffee in Clevedon.  A group excursion to Coffee #1 allowed me to sample my usual black Americano.  Service was slow, ok, nothing to do with coffee taste but it was only a small queue and took quite a while to order.  Anyhow, it’s the drink that counts.  First mistake, don’t give me an Americano in a tall mug.  Nowhere else does and there is a reason for that…. It’s wrong.  The appearance of the coffee was ok, nothing exciting.  The crema was a little grainy and more worryingly on a quick stir, disappeared completely leaving me with what looked like instant coffee.  First taste impressions were decidedly average.  A rather weak tasting coffee with no complexity of flavour (a bit like an instant you could say).  The most disappointing aspect of the coffee, though, was it actually got worse as I drank it.  Halfway down was enough for me.  It wasn’t that the coffee was undrinkable….. certainly no grounds to return it, but it wasn’t actually enjoyable.  It was a functional caffeine hit that lacked any grace or pleasure.  So in summary, poor flavour and boring. 

 

Nigel's Espresso

First, before we get to the coffee itself, Coffee #1 provide water jugs and cups for customers to server themselves and I like this. Espresso and a glass of water has become a standard for me. As well as making the drink thirst quenching it also extends the experience. Especially useful if like today I am with friends.

The espresso was mellow, easy and pleasant. It had an after taste that went on and on. It’s no adventure however and the flavour didn’t develop or change. Safe ground, probably designed for the lattes and cappuccinos.

Ratings

M's Flat White 7/10
Jim’s Americano 4/10

Nigel's Espresso 6/10