Just a five-minute walk from the most renowned landmark and busiest part of Macau – the Ruin’s of Saint Paul’s – is Rua dos Artilheiros where you can rarely spot any tourists at all. And nestled within this peaceful and calm ambiance is Café Philo.
Café Philo was opened in March last year by a local coffee zealot Austin Cheong, a young man who is truly passionate about delving into the complex world of coffee.
“There are so many different aspects of coffee that one can explore, from the origins and varieties, to the blending and aromas of coffee beans,” says Austin. “All these made me fall in love with coffee and encouraged me to open a coffee shop of my own.”
Wooden furniture, a communal table, a guitar, piles of books and even a vinyl LP player…all serve to create a very relaxed and comfortable environment for visitors. The long communal table in front of the coffee bar clearly shows Austin’s intention to encourage more communication and exchange of ideas between his customers.
“The culture of tasting coffee is still not very popular in Macau, especially when it comes to specialty coffee. I want to promote the culture by creating a more comfy setting, so people can bring their laptops or a book with them and enjoy coffee here in Café Philo,” Austin explains. “Coffee lovers can also gather here and enjoy themselves with other people who share the same interests,” he adds.
Café Philo has also gradually developed a small library for coffee connoisseurs so they can always find a good coffee book that interests them and borrow it to take home.
But of course, the most important elements of a fine coffee shop are always the quality of the coffee beans and the techniques of the barista.
“I prefer to offer coffee beans with special favours and good quality to my customers, for example beans from Taiwan. I also like the beans from Ethiopia very much, as they give an aroma of tropical fruits and it is an easy tasting coffee for all,” Austin notes.
Fair trade and direct trade are now getting more attention in order to protect and guarantee the rights and profits of coffee farmers. Austin has travelled to Da Lat, Vietnam with other coffee lovers in order to find a wider variety of good quality coffee beans directly from the growers.
“Visiting the farms directly not only allows you to have better communication with the farmers, but also encourages direct trade,” Austin explains.
The word ‘philosophy’ comes from the Ancient Greek philosophia, meaning a love of wisdom. And as the name of this café suggests, it is a perfect place for people to find a quiet moment to ponder their thoughts over of a fine cup of coffee.
