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After the power of Adelaide’s coffee scene converted former UK coffee hater Ashleigh Staegemann into a caffeine lover, it was only natural that she opened her own coffee shop.
Perhaps it’s not the move everyone makes, but it’s certainly one that has paid off for the self-taught barista, who spent months training at home before opening a cute hole-in-the-wall café.
Coffee Society is the new go-to cosy spot on Morphett Road, offering cold foams, hot drinks, cold brews and little pastries to keep hunger at bay. The venue shares a wall with colourful art space Muse Haus, in a spot previously known as Frankie Haus.
“I’m very proud to have come that far and so appreciative of everybody who walked through the door and continues to come in,” Ashleigh said.
“When we walked in, opened the shop and I dialled in the coffee beans, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so surreal. I can’t believe I’m standing in front of the coffee machine.’
“I had the grinder in front of me grinding the beans and the coffee machine switched on, and I realised that I get to do this now for the rest of my life.”
Although her nerves were high when she opened a few weeks ago, Ashleigh says she has since grown in confidence and continued to learn “a thing or two”.
The small space has been utilised to the best of its ability, with a bar bench seat to the left and a table and stools tucked behind the door on the right.
As spring sneaks up, Ashleigh is working with the council to offer more seating, but for now, the space is mostly a grab-and-go kind of spot.
Before opening, Ashleigh taught herself how to make barista-style coffee and froth milk using her own coffee machine, water and dishwashing detergent. She spent long hours watching YouTube videos and learning on the job.
“It involved lots and lots of practice… I still have a long way to go with latte art.
“Getting the silkiness and consistency right took a good two months.”
The cold foam offering is something to write home about, with the signature iced crème brûlée cold foam joined by iced KitKat and banana bread cold foams this month.
“I introduced the crème brûlée in July, and I sold more than 200 of those in July alone. That’s how popular they were.
“All the cold foams are made in-house, so we get to play around with the flavours and have more control over the quality.”
If you always seem to have a sweet tooth craving that needs soothing alongside a caffeine addiction, we dare say this is the spot to go.
“Despite the cold weather and rain, everyone has still flocked to the cold foams, especially on Saturdays.”
Ashleigh enjoys using the morning coffee run as an opportunity to share what she has learnt, talking customers through the beans, their origins and the different flavour profiles, while encouraging them to appreciate coffee as much as she does.
The food is kept simple, with a rotating selection of sweet and savoury danishes from Abbots and Kinney, ranging from pepperoni to spinach and ricotta.
Ashleigh said they have also started catering for people with coeliac disease.
“There’s a little bakery called Nature’s Basket. They make coeliac-friendly sweet treats, including little cakes, muffins and cookies.”
Although Ashleigh is currently running the café entirely by herself, she hopes to bring in a second person to help cover the weekend rush.
“I want to make sure everyone leaves happy.”
Coffee Society
Where: 577 Morphett Rd, Seacombe Gardens
When: Mon- Fri: 6am – 12.30pm and Sat 7.30am – 12.30pm
For for info, click here.
