This year, we decided to include the Little Red Roaster, which sells coffee, on our efforts to visit every food stall at Norwich Market. They’ve been trading since 2002 and I think their business is primarily selling speciality roasted coffee in bags or on a commercial basis, but they have this bustling little arrangement here selling hot drinks directly.
They sell bags of coffee beans and there’s an interesting selection of types including the Red Panda Guatemala which has flavours of dark brown sugars, being rich and toasty, alongside the Brazil Vargem Grande Estate which has flavours of chocolate, nuts and is sweeter.
The price list at the stall. James commented on how cheap it was, although I’m more used to having 8 coffees at JD Wetherspoon for £1.71 or a filter coffee from Pret for 99p. James is really quite decadent now though, I think he goes to some high-end coffee shops in the city, that’s probably how he knows all these people in suits. The prices do seem to be in keeping with quality products though and at least there’s some authenticity here.
The coffee machine arrangement. There was a friendly welcome from the stall holder and it all felt organised and the ordering process was clear. They accept cards or cash for drinks, with hot chocolate and tea available for those who don’t want coffee.
My £3.50 mocha. The drink was served at the appropriate hot temperature, there was some latte art (well mocha art) and it had a depth of taste and lingering flavours. I actually couldn’t taste any evidence of chocolate (although I think those black bits are chocolate, so it was in there), so I’m not sure that I would have known it was a mocha, but perhaps it was a little subtle for me.
James’s coffee and he really liked this, but he has an advanced palate for hot drinks (and chips) so that’s high praise. We coupled this visit with the Chocolate Bar Baker, which went really rather well together.
Overall, this is a handy place to get a hot drink at the market where there’s a quality to it. There are stalls, primarily the cafes, where coffee is available for 99p but that’s just in granules form with hot water added, so individuals can choose what suits them, such is the joy of the market.