Give your taste buds a caffeine treat
STRUBENS VALLEY– Coffee specialist attracts customers left right and centre at Clear Water Mall.
A local barista is hoping to take his love and passion for making the best cup of coffee to greater heights as he hopes to triumph in this year’s coffee championships in less than four months.
Dion Ndlovu (34), is a hardworking coffee specialist at Brew Coffee Stop in Clear Water Mall.
He is the mastermind behind every fruitful business gathering or cosy meeting discussed over a nice cup of creamy, hot coffee at the shop.
Ndlovu, who will be competing in the 2017 Barista Championship at Gallagher Estate in July, said he is adamant to wow the judges during the competition with his skill and art of making coffee.
The Zimbabwe-born specialises in espresso and latte art. He told Roodepoort Northsider that his best tailor-made coffee is the Burundi medium roast coffee.
“It has a honey aroma and a cherry-chocolate flavour without an after taste.”
Ndlovu fell in love with coffee-making in 2008 after studying the origin of coffee and gaining more knowledge from his brother Khulekani Mpala, the reigning barista champion.
“I started in the industry in 2008. My brother, the Gauteng Barista champion, motivated me after working with Bean There, an organisation that advocates for fair trade in the coffee farming industry,” he said.
He added that he looks forward and prays to win the competition as it opens doors to a feast of opportunities in the coffee and business industry.
One of Ndlovu’s dreams is to open his own coffee shop. It’s common knowledge that too much caffeine causes health risks. Ndlovu recommended certain coffee types to ease the addiction and risks.
He said, “You must at least have two cups of coffee a day or two double espressos to minimise the addiction. I also urge people to drink dark roast instead of medium because it carries a lot of caffeine in it.”
Ndlovu’s supportive boss, Eugene Jensen, owner of the coffee shop, said he has watched him grow.
“I’ve worked with him for a year and he is good with customers. It is very nice to have employees who are passionate about their jobs,” he said.
The Brew Coffee Stop has been around for about three years, with branches in Clear Water Mall, Mooi River Mall in Potchefstroom, Vaal Mall and The Glen.
