Fondly named after a record shop in the neighbouring street, often frequented by owner Simon Fraser as a youth, Hot Numbers coffee house is testament to what you can do if you have passion.
In Simon’s case – passion for music, machinery and most of all, coffee. After studying mechanical engineering, it was music that took saxophone-playing Simon to Australia where the world of great coffee houses was waiting. After learning the trade, he returned to the UK, firstly to fix coffee equipment for indies in London, then back home to Cambridge to open his very own coffee house.
We may be getting spoilt for choice as to where to get our High Street coffee fix, but there is one important factor that sets Hot Numbers apart – its own roastery. Using single-origin, high-quality Arabica beans (sourced by direct trade) small batches are roasted to a medium degree to retain distinct flavours that can be lost in darker roasts. Carefully controlling the roasting techniques ensures Simon gets the best taste depending on the origin of the beans as well as the season.
Hot Numbers roasts two to three different origins of coffee and these change seasonally so there’s always something new to try (and new for Simon to experiment with!).
From espresso-based to filter, you can have your coffee drip-brewed or syphon-style under the halogen lamp to truly appreciate the subtleties a great cup of coffee can present!
There is a great range of Sri-Lankan teas as well as breakfasts, lunches and delicious cakes – all using ingredients and produce sourced from local suppliers.
A collaboration with the art gallery next door has added another dimension (literally) and the venue now plays host to a variety of networking meetings, including CamCreative on the last Wednesday of the month. Hot Numbers is also home to regular live gigs, so we return nicely back to Simon’s original love – his music.
Hot Numbers
Unit 6, Dales Brewery
Gwydir Street
Cambridge CB1 2LJ
Tel: +44 (0)1223 359966
Email: info@hotnumberscoffee.co.uk
www.hotnumberscoffee.co.uk
*******
The latest edition of Independent Cambridge is now available from Waterstones, Heffers, many of the independent shops and online at www.independent-cambridge.co.uk.
___________________________________________________________