SlowMov has moved around the corner to Carrer de Neptú, 36. Outwardly, Slow Mov is a trendy coffee shop in Gràcia. On the many occasions I have had coffee there, I’ve never been far from an interesting conversation, people I would like to know more about. Last time it was 3 people discussing a boutique hotel opening.
I think the interesting clientele has a lot to do with the interesting owners: Carmen and François. And their Slow Mov Philosophy: Favoring quality versus quantity, a job well-done versus speed. Passion and reflection, instead of irrational consumption.
They are the kind of coffee shop owners that are always there but you never see because they are too busy working in the tiny annex across from the outdoor toilet. From there, they organize their wholesale orders, offer coffee and food consulting, barista training and catering using local, organic ingredients.
They trade directly with coffee bean producers rather than relying on someone else’s fair trade label. On Thursdays there is a cooperative, La Colmena SlowMov, where various producers come and sell their goods directly, resulting in a fair price for them and better quality for the customers. Kilometers matter, bread comes from Origo, 1km away. Fruit and vegetables from El Petit Bané, 23km away.
I went to a specialty coffee event hosted by them some time ago. There was a roaster from Right Side Coffee giving a talk and catering by Alina from Green Mama. I am a coffee drinker the way I am a wine drinker, I have an instinctual like or dislike without the ability to articulate my preferences. I found out some things – specialty coffee beans have less caffeine because they grow at higher altitudes where there are fewer pests. The caffeine we covet to get us through the day is the coffee bean’s strategy for defending itself against attack.
Even without knowing any of this, you go for the coffee, to contemplate the original floor tiles. I go to ostensibly to work and end up listening to other people’s plans and dreams.
Slow Mov Coffee
Carrer de Neptú, 36
08006 Gràcia
facebook.com/SlowMov
slowmov.com
instagram.com/slow.mov
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