Marbella Moments: Don’t just blend in

Urban Chai Café in San Pedro very much reminds me of one of my favourite places back in the UK. This is where I go whenever I want a reminder of home and a friendly face. There’s always a warm welcome.  It was even one of the few places, together with G-Wine that opened its doors to everyone during lockdown.  They are both Zero Hero venues too.  In fact, I can’t fault Carla and her team in any way. They are consistently excellent and it’s always a cosy space where you can relax and know what to expect.

This week, though, there was a change: the brand of coffee. I was proudly shown the new coffee machine and told the story behind it. Apparently, after 11 years with the same company, mentioning no names, but it’s one of the ‘big’ ones, the coffee machine had become dilapidated. Despite repeated requests, the supplier failed to replace it or even respond, so, in desperation, Carla decided it was time for a change. Betty had the bright idea of contacting a local supplier from San Luis de Sabinillas, turning adversity into an added advantage.

José Antonio Aguilar Cano, a self-proclaimed master roaster, has developed a highly personal approach to speciality coffee. He and his team carefully roast traceable beans and works with each café or restaurant to select its own blend and roasting profile, creating a unique coffee experience at every venue.

It’s shameful how large companies take our money and then turn a blind eye, so I’m delighted that, in this case, they didn’t get away with it. Proof that when big business leaves a bitter taste, shopping local can be just the right blend.