Monmouth started roasting coffee in 1978 and exist now as the old guys that have somehow kept up. They dominate as roasters in the high-end coffee houses in London and have the busiest retail exchange of beans that I have ever witnessed. Their success is inspiring.
Since they roast their own, their cafes are on the forefront of filter coffee offerings in London. Filter Coffee is no where as far along as in the US and only a few cafes in London even offer it. Most will give you an Americano instead. To feature their single origin beans, Monmouth uses ceramic filter which enables them to offer a by the cup coffee to order experience similar to the quality of a french press and cheaper than a Clover cup. Since I come from a land in love with single origins and I am personally in love with a vac-pot, this was great to see. Each location offers a plethora of single estate coffees and their espresso blend. They also customize espresso blends for their many wholesale customers.
They are skilled roasters but tend to stick to a medium to dark roast. Lighter roasts are tricky, and have only recently gained traction with its development by Cafe Vivace and perfection by Stumptown and Intelligentsia. Monmouth is not there yet and their struggle will be to meet the new roasting challenge. With the new players in town and the Third Wave obsession with freshness and innovation, Monmouth's years are a brand disadvantage but an expertise advantage.
They bypass the Fair Trade stuff and trade with farmers directly which often works out better for the farmer. The coffee beans at the stores is kept in open containers during the day but it goes so fast that it is the only sensible way to store them. They tend to have La Marzocco Lineas but generally the baristas are too busy to talk.
The Convent Garden store was really to small to sit in. The Borough Market location was an experience, esprecially on a sunny day with it's garage style door that results in an open air, covered store.
Monmouth is definitely the destination if fresh, single estate coffee your thing. They know what they are doing.
Covent Garden - 27 Monmouth Street London WC2H 9EU
The Borough - 2 Park Street London SE1 9AB
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