Something’s brewing at Coffee House Lane

When you think of some of the great foodstuffs that originated in Waterford you can’t but help think of the blaa, rashers or even cream crackers.  But, one of Waterford’s better kept secrets is coffee, and a Waterford company, is reviving the tradition of coffee roasting.

The Coffee Warehouse is renowned for its Ponticelli brand and has just launched a new coffee brand, Coffee House Lane, in honour of Waterford’s coffee roasting tradition.  Back in the late 17^th century, John Aikenhead was the visionary who first brewed and distributed coffee in Ireland, from his coffee house in the aptly named Coffee House Lane. 

Mark Bergin, founder of the Coffee Warehouse, has a long association with coffee, with Ponticelli being the first brand created by the company in 2009.  Then in 2011, Mark invested in a coffee roaster and exclusively roasts at its Kilcohan facility.

“Ours is a labour of love”, said Mark.  “My father has been working with coffee since the 60’s and it was only a matter of time before I got into coffee too.  After we acquired the coffee roaster in 2011 we knew we wanted to pay tribute to the true home of coffee in Ireland, Coffee House Lane.  We have created Blend 1690, which is a medium to dark roast.  The slow roasting of the beans gives a sweetness to the blend, which balances the deep earthiness of a dark roast.”

“Not many people know that Waterford led the way in coffee roasting in Ireland over 300 years ago and I am confident that it is a tradition we can revive on a large scale.”

The venture would not have been the success it has been without local and national support.  “We have had the good fortune to work with support agencies such as Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Love Irish Food and, of course, SuperValu which now stocks our product in 62 stores throughout the country.”

Sourcing the finest coffee beans from around the world, the beans, which are green at this stage are roasted between 180ºC and 230ºC for 14 to 20 minutes. The length of time roasting has an impact on colour, aroma and moisture.  The Coffee House Lane beans are roasted for longer, thus giving them a darker colour and richer roast flavour.  The popularity of the blend is also a reflection of the evolving Irish palate.

Waterford Local Enterprise Office has backed the venture since Day One.  According to Ciaran Cullen, it is a proud Waterford tradition that deserves to be revived.  “When Mark approached us about investing in a roaster we heartily concurred that coffee roasting should be encouraged, promoted and nurtured in its Irish birthplace.”

“The food and beverage landscape in Waterford is one of the most vibrant in the country.  Entrepreneurs and small producers are creating an exciting portfolio of high quality, great tasting local produce and at Waterford LEO we are delighted to be part of a movement that shines the spotlight on Waterford’s taste revolution.”

Keep up to date with Coffee House Lane on Facebook and Twitter.

Alternatively if you have an inspirational food idea and what to know what assistance is available to you, talk to Waterford Local Enterprise Office.  Call 051 849905 or visit www.localenterprise.ie/waterford/

Two Waterford City family businesses to feature at the Local Enterprise Village

Paul Lenehan of Sienna Home Furnishings

Over 30 indigenous companies from the South East will participate in the “Local Enterprise Village” as part of the National Ploughing Championships 2014, hosted by the Local Enterprise Offices. Included in the Local Enterprise Village are Sienna Home Furnishings and The Coffee Warehouse from Waterford City.

The Coffee Warehouse was established in 2001 by Stephen and Mark Bergin to complement the growing demand for quality coffee in Waterford and the adjoining areas. It is a family owned and run business with many years’ experience in the Health, Hospitality and Beverage trades.

In January 2012 The Coffee Warehouse invested in a full roasting plant, bringing coffee roasting back to Waterford. As the only roaster in the South East of Ireland they can personalise the coffee, creating a blend that would be exclusive to each customer.  The Coffee Warehouse was also Waterford City’s first member of Love Irish Food.

Sienna Home Furnishings is a family run furniture and bedding business based in Waterford, and voted “One of Ireland’s Top 50 Retail Stores” for the past 5 years.

Sienna is bringing its wool collection to the National Ploughing Championships, including its Wool Duvets, Wool Pillows, Wool Mattress Topper and Mattress Protectors. There are hundreds of reasons why you should consider buying Wool Bedding as an alternative to synthetic-filled bedding. It offers 25% more deep regenerative sleep, it helps to reduce allergies and helps regulate your temperature, not to mention the benefits derived from its natural, sustainable, renewable and biodegradable features.

Located this year at Ratheniska, County Laois, from September 23rd to 25th  2014, the championships will showcase the ‘Local Enterprise Village”.  From food & drink to a treatment for tired eyes, from sportswear to world leading water technologies, some of Ireland’s latest innovations developed by Local Enterprise Office supported companies, will be on display at the National Ploughing Championships 2014 as part of a €500,000 sales drive to support SME’s in Ireland.

Speaking about the village, Ciaran Cullen from the LEO Waterford said, “The National Ploughing Championships is an important platform for small and medium sized enterprises throughout the region.”

Mr. Cullen continued, “At the heart of the Local Enterprise Office remit is the facilitation of programmes which allow companies to develop and grow and the LEO in Waterford see clients’ participation in the NPA as a significant opportunity to showcase their competitive offering to the local, national and international visitors who attend the NPA”.

Over 160,000 visitors are expected to this year’s event and visitors to the Championships spend just under €36.5 million during the three days of the event.  The ‘Local Enterprise Village' will be a focal point of the many exhibits and tents on show at the 100 acre trade arena.

Local produce to take centre stage at Winterval Enterprise Food Fair

Some of the local produce that will be available from the Waterford Festive Food Fair

 (Photo: Peter Grogan)

Local produce will be showcased throughout Winterval, in a joint initiative by Waterford City Enterprise Board and Ardkeen Quality Food Store.

The Waterford Festive Food Fair, located on Michael Street, will open this Friday, December 13^th to Sunday December 15^th and the following weekend from Thursday, December 19^th to Sunday December 22^nd.

The premise of the initiative is to highlight the abundance of locally produced quality foods and to support the local producers that continue to put Waterford on the national food landscape.

Mr. Ciaran Cullen, Chief Executive of Waterford City Enterprise Board was delighted to support this venture.  He said, “Waterford has a vast array of locally produced food of the highest calibre.   Producers such as Ponticelli Coffee, Edelicious, Joy By Bishop’s Palace Café, Dessert First and M & D Bakery, to name but a few, bring a uniqueness of product to the customer.  They all share a passion to produce and deliver to the public food of the highest standards.”

Mr. Cullen added, “Many of the local food producers that will be exhibiting over the course of Winterval at the Festive Food Fair have been closely involved with the Enterprising Food Network since it began over two years ago.  The objective of this network is to assist food producers in the areas of branding, packaging and route to market, so showcasing them at Ireland’s biggest Christmas festival, Winterval, is a great accomplishment and a real testament to their commitment and to the quality of their food.”

Mr. Colin Jephson of Ardkeen Quality Food Store added, “The philosophy of Ardkeen Quality Food Store has long been to support the local producer and it’s great to be involved with Waterford City Enterprise Board.  This project gives many of our suppliers, such as Jay Bee’s, Eunice Power and Deise Honey the opportunity to promote themselves in the heart of the city during the busy festive period.”

The Waterford Festive Food Fair will be open 12pm to 8pm on December 13^th 14^th, 19^th, 20^th and 21^st and from 12pm to 6pm on December 15^th and 22^nd.

For more information about the Waterford Festive Food Fair or the Enterprising Food Network talk to Waterford City Enterprise Board on 051 852883 or www.waterfordceb.com.