Her Coffee series: Harvest…spicing up simplicity

Posted on 15 September, 2014

When I first moved to Canberra last year, I was rather naïve to the culinary scene and what coffee was all about.

I had worked in a few cafes and occasionally drank coffee but I didn’t I see what all the fuss was about. Harvest, I would say, is where my love affair with it all began.

Straddling the border between Acton and Civic, Harvest is nestled under Canberra House on Marcus Clarke Street. Open its doors in 2010, this café has evolved to become a notorious hangout on weekdays for all, whether you’re a Uni student cramming for exams, a public servant on their lunch break or a Mum out for a catch up, everybody and anybody are welcome, and all with a common purpose: getting our caffeine fix.

Harvest has a very minimalist set up, with a wooden, earthy theme dominating the fit out, complemented by lashes of greenery that add to the garden fresh ambiance. They utilise a blend of four beans from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Sumatra.

These beans combined are a way to create a well balanced coffee with low, middle and high points. With great care put into the beans and a small selection of sweet treats including muffins, banana bread (to die for!) and delicious slices, it seems Harvest has brewed the perfect, simple mix that delivers on its promise.

It is through the variety of coffees you can try from a cold brew (steeping coffee into cold water) to pour overs (coffee filtered through a cone) to a traditional short black or your ‘average Joe’ latté or cappuccino, that the mantra becomes embedded: Harvest serves consistently good coffee. You can tell from just watching the barista that great care is taken into preparing each and every coffee that comes by their machine, ensuring the perfect balance is achieved in every cup.

But what makes Harvest such a perfect coffee spot? Through my ventures to this coffee shop, I realise it isn’t just its reliable and delicious coffee. It is the service. The friendly, vibrant demeanor of their staff allows you to feel instantly welcome upon entering. Harvest, however, takes this a step further; embracing you, making you a new friend, right at home in their store as you sip away on your flat white at the corner table.

It’s like talking to friends you’ve known for years within just a few visits, sharing stories over coffees and cakes. The cheerful, engaging service is refreshing and what for me, stands out at Harvest. This makes me want to keep coming back for good chats and even better coffees. And I hope you feel the same on your first visit too!

All images, including feature, courtesy of Harvest. 

The essentials

The place: Harvest

Where: 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra (currently operating from a pop-up shop next door)

When: Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 4pm; Saturday from 9am to 3pm. Closed Sundays.

What: Coffee, small selection of cakes, muffins and slices.