International Coffee Day is tomorrow, but every day is coffee day in our hearts. We love the java, and we aren’t ashamed to admit it. Luckily, we’re pals with the coffee buffs at Yolk Test Kitchen {1767 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago; 312.348.1333} and they’re getting us more than ready for the holiday. Scott Bufis, Beverage Director at Yolk, has all the details on coffee, matcha, kombucha, and more. Get your caffeine fix Chicago!
DiningOut: Let’s talk coffee! What are some unique coffee offerings you have?
Bufis: We offer a variety of coffees from different coffee roasters at Yolk’s Test Kitchen that we rotate out so we’re always offering something new and exciting. We like to highlight the variety by using a number of different brewing methods. Whether you want espresso, cold brew, drip coffee, or a pour-over from our slow bar, we have coffees that are perfect for those brewing styles.
What makes the perfect cup of coffee?
In short, balance. Whether you like a darker roast or a natural-processed single origin from Ethiopia, the perfect cup will strike a perfect balance of strength and natural sweetness.
Tell us about the slow drip coffee process.
Slow drip, also known as “pour-over,” is a way to manually brew coffee so that the nuances of the coffee itself are clear and present in the cup.
What are the benefits of matcha?
Since matcha is made from the same plant as green tea, it has many of the same health benefits such as being high in antioxidants. It also gives you a boost of energy with minimal crash, and it’s linked to the prevention of diseases like Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Tell us about your tea offerings.
Currently, we offer five different teas from Rishi at Yolk’s Test Kitchen–English Breakfast, China Breakfast, Jasmine Green, Chamomile, and a rotating seasonal tea.
What makes the perfect cup of tea?
Again, balance. Most people associate astringency–or “dryness”—to tea. While teas are often very astringent, it’s usually because the tea has been steeped for too long. Each of our teas are dialed-in so that they each have their own temperature and steep time, so there is a balance of strength and sweetness in the cup.
You also have kombucha on tap.
Kombucha has become very popular for good reason. Besides being delicious, it’s a sparkling fermented tea that contains probiotics and is rich in antioxidants. Currently we offer a ginger-lemongrass kombucha from Marin.
What else can we get at the coffee bar?
We offer all of our drinks to-go, and we also serve fresh baked goods from West Town Bakery. Of course, being Yolk, we have many delicious breakfast and lunch items available in-house, to-go, and for delivery.
We also hold regular public coffee tastings co-hosted with our featured coffee roasters at Yolk’s Test Kitchen. Keep an eye on our Instagram @eatyolk for information on our upcoming tastings!
Why is coffee the perfect start to the day?
Caffeine, of course! It’s also a strong, delicious beverage that will get your mind and body ready for the day.
What is your go-to coffee order?
When I go to a coffee shop, I like to see what single origin coffees they’re offering, so I usually go for a pour-over if it’s available.
And we should stay for breakfast.
Our Y.T.K sandwich is delicious and spicy with a special sausage patty made from pork, bacon, and jalapeño. I should also mention the Breakfast Mac & Cheese which has white cheddar, Parmesan, panko, chives, bacon, applewood ham, and is topped with a sunny-side egg on top.
Anything fun coming for the season at Yolk?
We’re very excited for the fall! We’ll be featuring one of our favorite roasters in the country, Counter Culture Coffee, as well as offering some special new housemade flavor syrups, like Pecan Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, and Orange-Cream.
Interview by Kaleigh Glaza | Online Editor
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