07 April 2021

The Caffeine Chronicles: Good as Gold

I've been quite quiet on the blogging front of late, mainly because as you will have seen if you follow me on Twitter, I'm starting a new job in a new industry this week, and it's been a hectic few weeks handing over and signing off. But I had a few free days this week, which gave me time to visit Good as Gold, a new speciality coffee shop in beautiful Brockley, south-east London.

After I'd added Good as Gold to my to-visit list, I spotted that it already came with a ringing endorsement from Daniel (AKA @100CupsCoffee), and took advantage of a sunny morning to stroll up to Brockley, via Peckham and Nunhead. Good as Gold first popped up in Windmill Street, before the pandemic pushed owners Anthony and Tom — formerly of The Gentlemen Baristas — out into zone 2. Fitzrovia's loss is very much Brockley's gain, and when I visited the café, which is just down the road from Brockley station, light was streaming in.


The décor is industrial-minimalist, but with plenty of plants making the most of the sun. The L-shaped counter occupies half of the space, with bench and table seating also available for when — please let it be soon! — drinking and eating in is possible again. There's a gorgeous Faema E71 on the counter, while the menu occupies one of the pillars, and my eagle eyes didn't fail to notice some brilliant prints, also by Daniel (check out his Etsy store for some puntastic greetings cards).



I ordered a flat white, brewed with Caravan's Market Blend, but my eye was soon drawn to the wall o'coffee next to the counter. When I asked which coffee was available as a V60, I was able to choose from the great selection there, but went for a natural Rwandan Shyira from new-to-me Leeds roaster Chipp Coffee Co. I was first attracted by the flavour notes, then the artwork (by Katriona MacIntosh) and finally the fact that all profits from this coffee go to the Rwanda Landslides appeal. There are also retail bags from another Leeds roaster, North Star Coffee Roasters, whose coffee I often seem to sample at the London Coffee Festival.


As well as the coffee, there was a selection of sandwiches, cakes and pastries on offer, but I just had my flat white and V60 pourover on this occasion. Luckily, there was a sunny wall outside on which I could perch while drinking the coffee. The flat white was as good as I expected, and the Shyira was right up my street too: super sweet with violet, apricot and lemon flavour notes; perfect for a sunny, if chilly, spring day.


In a year when good news is like gold dust, it's great to see another wonderful speciality coffee opening in Good as Gold, and I look forward to returning soon.

Good as Gold. 209 Mantle Road, Brockley, London, SE4 2EW (Brockley Overground). Website. Instagram.

For 130+ more of my favourite coffee shops in London, please check out my London speciality coffee guide.


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