When it comes to essential summer companions there are none more important than a good iced coffee and a decent pair of shades. We’ve already shown you how to make a killer iced coffee and now we’re taking care of the blue-blocker bit. If you’ve yet to invest in a stylish pair of shades then here’s some good news for you…

Ray-Ban Aviators have been synonymous with style since General Douglas MacArthur was first photographed wearing a pair by the press in World War II. Can you imagine Maverick wearing anything else in Top Gun? Exactly. You get the point.

As timeless icons of style, Ray-Ban sunglasses have become the global choice of those who want to make their mark and who believe in freedom, originality and anti-conformism. Ray-Ban’s spring/summer 2011-2012 collection presents some of their most historically iconic models updated and re-interpreted with the introduction of crystal vintage lenses featuring exclusive colors never-before used in a Ray-Ban collection.

The revolution in vintage lenses, think green, blue and pink, make the Aviator a new timeless classic and the only shades you want to be wearing this summer.

We’ll be giving away a pair of Ray-Ban Aviators to three of our facebook fans.  To stand a chance to win a pair of these super cool crystal vintage lens shades, simply upload a photo on our facebook page of yourself enjoying a coffee this December. Competition ends 31^st Jan.

Stumped with what to buy for that someone special this Christmas? Here are a few of the ‘Good Things’ that we’re enjoying this summer and great gift ideas for under the tree. And because the ‘Good Things’ are best shared we are giving away all of the ‘Good Things’ listed below from today until Christmas. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to win. Merry, Merry!

Good Thing#1: The Message Mug

A special note with your morning cuppa – can you think of a better way to start the day? Designed by Love Milo the Message Mug comes packaged in a sweet little box with a ceramic pen. You can add your message or pictures to the mug and when you want to change it you simply rub it off with alcohol. The mugs are microwave and dishwasher safe.

R150 From Love Milo

Good Thing#2: Silver Coffee Measuring Spoon & Bag Clip

You want one of these in your kitchen! This nifty little number keeps your coffee as fresh as can be by tightly clipping the bag closed and takes the hassle out of having to search for the measuring scoop.

R100 from Bean There.

Good Thing#3: Hario V60 Ceramic Drip Filter

Simple yet stylish, the Hario V60 Ceramic Drip Filter is all about bringing out the subtle flavours of your favourite coffee. It’s easy to use and clean, fits almost every coffee cup and makes a great alternative to your plunger or Moka pot.

R250 from Origin.

Good Thing #4: DV Artisan Chocolate

Artisan coffee and artisan chocolate. Now, that’s a match made in heaven.  DV sources only the finest cacao beans, from all corners of the globe, and uses ancient chocolate making techniques to produce their heavenly artisan chocolate. Once the beans have arrived at their small factory they are roasted before undergoing a slow, four day process of stone grinding, refining and conching in their custom built equipment. DV chocolate contains only authentic ingredients, with no added flavourings, cocoa butter substitutes, soya lecithin or vanilla.

All of DV’s Single Origin bars are 70% cacao and the range includes the Trinidad, Madagascar, Venezuela Caracas, Sao Tome or Venezuela Rio Caribe chocolate bars.

R40 for a 50g bar and R100 for the DV Taster Pack. Available at all top deli’s and wine shops in the Western Cape. Follow DV on Facebook here.

The festive season has arrived with the haste of Sebastian Vettel and there’s no doubt that you’re just as baffled to where the year has gone.

This summer we’re slowing things down and enjoying the good things, because life, and the festive season, is too short to do otherwise. And because the good things in life are best shared, just like the coffee experience, we’re giving you the opportunity to enjoy them.

For the next two months we’ll be giving away a whole bunch of super cool products and experiences; things that make you feel good like nibbling on a slab of artisan chocolate with your afternoon cuppa or topping off a long, lazy lunch with an espresso.  We’ll also be giving away some rad coffee accessories, Ray-Ban sunglasses and an entire year’s worth of coffee. That’s right; one lucky fan will win coffee for a year!

Keep an eye on our blog or stalk us on facebook and twitter for competition details.

Zmianatematu Cafe, Poland.

Cafe Magdalena, Slovenia.

Cielito Querido Cafe, Mexico.

Via Yossawat.

If it wasn’t for the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that smacks you as you pass by you could easily mistake Anthony’s Golden Cup for a flag retailer. He tells me that the flags were put up as a part of the World Cup fever and that he hasn’t got round to taking them down. If you weren’t aware of this you wouldn’t think twice about the flags as they fit in perfectly with the bright orange walls clad in newspaper clippings and shelves bustling with coffee, containers filled with rusks and coffee accessories. If you’re looking for a shiny, fresh out-of-the-box designer coffee shop you’re not going to find it here. What you will find is a quirky little coffee spot with a great selection of freshly roasted coffee and a man who is exceptionally passionate about what he does.

Anthony Swartz has been involved in the coffee industry for over 45 years and man does this guy know his stuff. He has a selection of freshly roasted beans that are displayed in an old-school coffee cabinet and you can order them straight up or make a selection for a blend. He also produces a selection of flavoured coffee – think English Toffee, French Vanilla and Irish Cream. I decided to stick with the regular stuff and went for a blend of Costa Rica, Mocha Java and the Continental on Anthony’s recommendation, ground especially for my moka. This blend is rich and as smooth as a baby’s bottom with sweet caramel and subtle nutty notes – great as an after dinner espresso in place of that something sweet. Trust me, you want to try it.

Monday to Friday 07h00 to 17h00
Saturday 08h00 to 13h00
59 Loop Street, Cape Town
021 426 1268

A flat white and one of Captain Bread’s amazing bacon croissants, filled with cheese and toasted under the salamander, for only 30 bucks? You’d better believe it, folks.

The special, along with Captain Bread’s steamy handlebars, will be around until the end of the month.

It’s been over a year since we first heard word of Bean There’s plans to open a roastery in Cape Town and we’re pleased to tell you that the wait is finally over. They unofficially opened the doors to their new Wale Street roastery on Monday and in celebration will be serving free coffee for the rest of the week.

The official launch of the roastery takes place at 18h30 on the 23^rd & 24^th November and all are welcome to attend. Simply drop them a mail at cape@beanthere.co.za to let them know you’ll be coming. In the meantime you can pop past for a sweet treat and one of the best Ethiopian Sidamos around.

Monday to Saturday 07h30ish to 16h00ish.
58 Wale Street, Cape Town.
0861 999 962
cape@beanthere.co.za

Grabbing your morning cuppa couldn’t be easier with Origin’s new ‘On the Go’ station on Strand Street. Forget trying to find parking or having to stand in a queue, you simply have to give them a buzz when you’re five minutes away and they’ll have your coffee waiting for you. The station is on the left-hand side of the road, outside the Hudson Building, as you approach Strand from High Level. You can pull over or give them a wave from traffic and they will bring your coffee to your car. They also have muffins and croissants on hand if you feel like a bite.

The station is available from 07h00 to 09h30 weekdays and the number to call is 081 566 0020. All coffees are R20. Cash only.

What a proud day for the City of Cape Town! This morning the title of World Design Capital 2014 was awarded to our amazing city by the International Council for Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) at the International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress in Taipei. Congrats to the City of Cape Town, the Cape Town Partnership, Creative Cape Town and everyone else who contributed to us winning this prestigious title.

Bring on 2014!

The caffè pagato (Paid Coffee) is a beautiful custom deeply steeped in Neapolitan history whereby a customer orders a coffee and pays for two: one for him or herself and the other for a stranger – most often less fortunate. The barista takes note of the caffè pagato and awaits John Doe’s arrival. Old Johnny simply has to ask if there are any caffè pagati going around and if so the barista whips him up a cuppa and gets to make Johnny’s day. Isn’t that nice?