Michaela Stoneman
The Bank Room, a tiny boutique cafe serving locally roasted Devils Cup organic coffee in Patea is now on the global map.
The recently released Lonely Planet Global Coffee Guide features The Bank Room and its fragrant roast.
Co-owner Michaela Stoneman said she and partner Kevin Murrow were flabbergasted when the Lonely Planet writer called in for a brew.
"He had heard about us so travelled through to Patea to check for himself.''
He loved what he tasted so wrote about his experience extolling the flavour of Kevin's Devils Cup coffee, Michaela said
The book features more than 150 amazing coffee experiences in 37 countries, from its birthplace in East Africa, to modern-day Cuba, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Publishers say the book is a follow-up to the hugely popular Global Beer Tour and features legendary espresso bars, plantation tours, urban roasteries and must-visit cafes.
"It is the definitive guide to tasting coffee around the world," they say.
Inside this guide to coffee tasting around the world, you'll discover exactly where to go and what to try, plus illustrated spreads on roasting coffee, cocktails, brewing techniques and more.
Michaela said it was an amazing book because it wasn't just about coffee.
"It's for coffee lovers and also talks a little about the local culture and the history of the place as well.''
"Look,'' she said laughing, pointing to the index at the back of the book.
The P column reads in order;
Palm Beach
Paris
Patea.
"Isn't that great?"
Patea is described as the home of the Patea Maori Club and the world famous hit Poi E, beaches with iron sand, and a population of just 1143.
Roaster Kevin set up his roasting plant at the rear of the old bank building 14 years ago.
If you're a lover of good coffee, then the espresso coffee smell around this old bank building was like an aphrodisiac spilling across the nasturtiums, geranium bushes and fruit trees around the property
Earlier Kevin said that in the mid-90s the espresso coffee culture was rising rapidly in New Zealand, as did the level of expertise in making great coffee and roasting great beans.
"It actually became a new and inspiring art form in the Antipodes."
Compared with Britain and the United States, Aussie and Kiwi coffee roasters and baristas were different but still fantastic compared with Italians, for example.
"I think it helped that there was no tradition here. That's what probably made it fresh, new and exciting."
There was real skill in making good coffee and it's all about practice, practice and more practice, he said.
"To make a perfect cup every time is a real skill."
His beans are organic and his Devils Cup brand is a Fair Trade coffee.
Kevin said he sells mostly over the internet as well as supplying some local cafes and now The Bank Room.
Michaela said working on the room at the front of the old bank in Bedford St had been a labour of love for the couple.
The old room smells of scented old wood, fragrant coffee and features art work across the walls which will be changed and co-ordinated frequently.
Michaela is also an artist and arts co-ordinator for the South Taranaki District Council.
"We love living here and our coffee is special. We will never do food here ... it's all about coffee and art.''