Did you know that every cup of coffee you’ve ever had has had its beans manually sorted and checked for good quality? This is just one of the things we learned from the Davao Coffee Crawl Department of Tourism Region 11 had in partnership with Davao Digital Influencers.
We set out to explore coffee shops within Davao City that serves the Mt. Apo blend, whose beans are sourced right from the region. Overall, we were able to visit 8 Coffee Shops: Purge Coffee Roaster in Tulip Drive, Olo Coffee Shop and Coffee for Peace in Ecoland, Kanto Coffee Cart in Abreeza, Glasshouse Coffee at their Aeon Towers branch, Kapeweñoz Specialty Coffee and Hid’n Coffee in Obrero, and Paramount Coffee at the Paramount Garden Complex at the Riverfront Corporate Center in Ma-a.
It was such a fun and interesting two days where we got to touch base with local baristas, owners, and coffee enthusiasts and got to experience their favorite blends and drinks. I always love hearing about the passion behind businesses and the Davao Coffee Industry sure is a passionate one. With the cafes popping up here and there, the city’s love for coffee has definitely reached new heights. The stories behind it are of passion, curiosity, and creativity. Continue reading to learn more.
Before we could hopped onto the Coffee Crawl, Department of Tourism and Davao Digital Influencers found it best to understand where our region’s coffee came from. Thus, we set out and journeyed a little south of Davao onto two coffee farms: the Tibolo Integrated Farmers and Worker’s Association Farm in Tibolo & Balutakay Coffee Farmers Agricultural Cooperative Farm in Bansalan.
We were able to meet with the local farmers and cooperatives. We learned that there is so much to be said about every cup of coffee we drink everyday. With the region’s coffee scene on the rise, farmers trouble themselves with a good kind of dilemma: lack of supply for the incessant demand for coffee. I was even making a joke about how the liquor ban imposed during the pandemic caused the rise in coffee junkies in the region.
One of the people we sat and met with was the wife of the head of the TIFWA, Ms. Jeci-rey. We caught them in the middle of the day of sorting and it was then that we learned the beauty and art of coffee farming. She expressed their challenges with production but deemed it as a good problem.
Davao Coffee Crawl Day 1: Purge Coffee Roaster
Purge Coffee Roaster is one of the coffee shops and roasters in the city that grew popular in the last 5 years. It began with Mr. Joefel Manlod and his wife’s passion and love for coffee. They shared their favorite drinks and their Mt. Apo pour-over. Out of all the Mt. Apo pour-overs we tried during the crawl, theirs was the most rich and earthy. We also tried their Mocha Lava, Spanish Latte, White Peak, and, of course, their tasty waffles and pasta.
Location: Tulip Drive, Matina, Davao City
Hours: Mondays-Sundays from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Coffee for Peace
As mentioned earlier, one of the best things about businesses is when they are passionate about certain causes. Enter, Coffee for Peace. Owner Ms. Joji Pantoja explained that the origin of coffee for peace came about when they noticed that the war areas in the south became quiet when they had the leaders speak and gather for coffee. Today, Coffee for Peace continues to support local farmers and areas in the region.
We were able to try their pour-over and their bestsellers, Mindanao Mint Mocha & Cifra Ala Mode Latte. The Cifra Ala Mode is strong and unique. It provided an interesting jolt we needed for the rest of the day.
Location: One Oasis Building, Ecowest Drive
Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Daily
olo Coffee & Concepts
Olo is another neighborhood cafe that popped up in the height of the pandemic. Located in a cozy spot in Ecoland, olo offers pour-overs, artisanal drinks, and pastries. We were served with their pour-over, Spanish Latte, Dirty Matcha, and Espresso Tonic Float. I was able to try the Espresso Tonic Float and according to the owner, it was their take on the traditional soda floats. Considering that soda is caffeine, they experimented and tried it with espresso. It was interesting. If you’re looking for something different and unique, go for the Espresso Tonic Float.
I also want to note how beautifully designed this place is.
Location: Phase 1, 319, Ecoland, 6 A St., Davao City
Hours: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily
Kanto Coffee
Our last stop on the first day was Kanto Coffee’s stall in Abreeza. Their menu included a number of espresso tonics, too. We enjoyed their Caramel Latte, Spanish Latte, Pour-overs, and espresso tonics. I liked their caramel latte and was the perfect drink to end the night.
Location: Abreeza Ayala, Davao City
Hours: 3:00 PM- 8:00 PM
And that’s it for Day 1 of the Davao Coffee Crawl. Follow & read up on the second day soon!
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