A small farm established in front of the plantation is the garden of Alex the Coffee.

Flowers and trees planted in the garden are the faces of the café. Green plants hold sunshine within them as the greenhouse whose white window bars twinkle brightly. I passed through the garden and opened the door to the greenhouse. As I step into a café with a warm vibe all around, flavorful smell of coffee immediately fills the air.

From selection of raw materials such as unroasted coffee beans to roasting and extraction, Alex the Coffee performs all stages in coffee making. Its coffee tastes unique as only specialty unroasted coffee beans are roasted and extracted. A cup of coffee born through an elaborate process offers a small solace for city people in search of relaxation. It is a good idea to accompany the coffee with a cake for dessert. The irresistible marriage between tasty coffee and sweet cake accelerates recharging of energy.

Alex the Coffee shares the same space as a gardening shop named Rama Rama Flower & Garden. Looking at vintage furniture and gardening items exhibited on one corner of the café, you feel as if you are in a countryside garden somewhere in Europe. Pretty flowerpots, watering cans and shovels are all typical items in a greenhouse inside a garden but they look quite special here. Gardening classes are held as well for people to enjoy healing time by handling plants and soil themselves.

Located in quiet suburbs, the café primarily greets customers from far away. They visit Alex the Coffee to enjoy delicious coffee in the vividness of nature away from the dreary city life.

Written and photos by Park Hee-eun

Website alexthecoffee.com

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