49th Parallel offers 13 roasts and the best in pastry and chocolate treats to nibble on
Mia Stainsby
Sun
Conrad Brown (left) and Colter Jones at 49th Parallel Coffee Bar on Fourth Avenue. Photograph by : Ian Lindsay, Vancouver Sun
When coffee worship migrated north from Seattle, java-philes launched into this dark brew with the intensity of ardent oenophiles. Our version of Starbucks is Vince Piccolo, former owner of Caffe Artigiano and now, coffee wholesaler.
His company, 49th Parallel, buys, blends, roasts, packages and then sells coffee to discerning retailers around North America. His 49th Parallel coffee bar in Kitsilano is the “showcase lounge” for the dark, rich brew.
The room is like a cup of coffee itself, in signature dark browns and “Tiffany blue” — colours that also conjure a Birks‘ blue box, wrapped in its brown ribbon. See? Colour psychology at work!
But it’s not all about packaging. To go with the excellent coffees, he brings in coffee-friendly edibles from Thomas Haas, the prince of pastries and chocolates — brioche, pain au chocolat, croissants, almond croissant and quark cheese danish zapped with lemon zest and raisins. Other edibles include chocolate sour cherry torte, biscotti, carrot cake and brownies.
As for coffee, there are 13 roasts, including single-origin beans from Australia called Australian Mountain Top. It’s served in their espresso-based drinks on Fridays. For drip coffee, they use a Clover coffee system which brews up fresh coffee by the cup in one minute. And regulars, take note.
Every so often, Piccolo or one of his staff will be conducting cuppings, which, in coffee-speak, means tastings.
“Our goal is to be the world’s best coffee roaster. We only see the best coffees and are meticulous in buyng green, the way it’s shipped, sample-roasted, the way it’s cupped, roasted, packaged and produced,” says Piccolo.
In the end, coffee isn’t about words. Go and check it out yourself. I think you’ll like it. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
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49TH PARALLEL
2152 West Fourth Ave., 604-420-4901, www.49thparallelcoffeeroasters.com
