Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee & The Artisan Creator's (TAC) Coffee - Closed
170 Stirling Road #01-1133
http://www.tionghoesc.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TACcoffee/
Hands In Frame |
Heavenly Coffee In This Serious Coffee Haven
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 10
Service: 8
Value for Money: 10
Spent about SGD $5 per person.
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A young adventurer, desiring true knowledge, undertakes an arduous, time-consuming journey to a faraway shrine. Hidden away in a quiet part of the world, the shrine is said to have many ancient artifacts, and within, an old master, wise and learned, who imparts secrets to worthy apprentices. Such is the feeling when visiting Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee.
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee Exterior |
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee Interior |
The story of Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee begins in the 1960s, with a young Mr. Tan Tiong Hoe, then an eager padawan himself, passionate about the coffee bean, and seeking to perfect the ultimate cup of gourmet coffee. From humble beginnings roasting his own coffee beans, he gradually moved on to packaging and supplying his coffee beans to coffee shops and cafes across Singapore. Today, with over half a century of experience, Mr. Tan Tiong Hoe is able to evaluate a cup of coffee, and even coffee beans, just by looking at it!
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee History |
Ambience at Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee is like a shrine, or museum, to coffee. Sacks of coffee beans from all over the world line the cluttered shelves in the small place, alongside coffee percolators, from ancient models to sparkling new models. Quotes about coffee are scrawled on the walls, while warm lighting illuminates the small wooden furniture in the cramped seating area. The place smells distinctly of roasted coffee beans, and just next door, you can even watch them process it! And they also provide free wifi!
Coffee Sacks |
Flasks And Such |
A Good Idea |
Smell It |
Free Wifi |
Service at Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee is largely self-service, with ordering and payment done over the counter, though staff will serve orders to your table. What truely stands out is the staff's product knowledge on coffee, these are eager students and passionate coffee disciples of Mr. Tan Tiong Hoe, able to not only describe flavours of the coffee to you, but able to create and roast their own blends of coffee! The guru himself, Mr. Tan Tiong Hoe is a walking encyclopedia of coffee knowledge, only dispensing his wisdom to the worthy who pass his test.
Menu Of Coffee Drinks |
Food at Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee is practically non-existent, with only a small selection of cakes and desserts. They barely even have any drinks beyond water, tea, and of course, coffee. You visit Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee only for the coffee, but my gosh, what excellent coffee it is. Coffee blends from all over the world are available, each with its own unique story, history, roasting process, and flavour. Portions are sized for individuals, and prices are more affordable / cheaper than other places, plus, the coffee is of a much higher quality here, as each step of the brewing process is accurately controlled.
Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee also holds brewing workshops and coffee appreciation classes for true coffee aficionados, and boasts 1 of only 14 licensed Q coffee graders in Singapore. Grandmaster Mr. Tan Tiong Hoe even lets guest baristas or his students run the store on occasion, which has resulted in the founding of several coffee groups, such as The Artisan Creator's (TAC) Coffee. A group of coffee enthusiasts who brew nearly every Sunday here, The Artisan Creator's (TAC) Coffee has even created their own coffee blends!
Flat White (SGD $4) |
Long Black (SGD $4) |
Cafe Latte (SGD $4.50) |
The Artisan Creator's (TAC) Coffee has created 2 blends of coffee. The 1st is a blend of 3 types of coffee beans from El Salvador, Ethiopia, and Brazil, with a velvety smooth, lively body that is robust and well-rounded. It has a slight sweetness with a sharp acidity, yet is surprisingly low on bitterness. Taste notes of roast meat and caramel malt, with a strong nutty flavour. Excellent!
The Artisan Creator's (TAC) Coffee - Coffee Blend 1 Description |
Piccolo Latte (SGD $4) |
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CONVERSATION