Washington, D.C
Cafe Unido Puts Panama on a Pedestal in Washington D.C.
The brand new Cafe Unido cafe within the Shaw neighborhood of Washington D.C. Picture by Brian Oh, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
With its second United States espresso store opening this week, Panama-based espresso firm Cafe Unido has realized a imaginative and prescient to unite high-quality Panamanian espresso with equally high-quality meals and different drinks.
Following the extra coffee-centric stall the corporate opened in 2019 contained in the Latin American market La Cosecha in Washington D.C., the brand new cafe within the Shaw neighborhood is the corporate’s first full brick-and-mortar spot with a full kitchen within the U.S.
Meals on the Shaw location. Picture by Brian Oh, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
“We needed to maintain the meals related to our espresso providing,” Cafe Unido Co-Founder Benito Bermudez informed Each day Espresso Information. “We’re attempting on this location to match all of the work that producers are doing in Panama with processing and caring for their crop, after which the roasting, and having our meals providing match that degree in a method similar to our wine providing. We’re shopping for plenty of natural soil wines that match our espresso choices from Panama, as effectively.”
Based in Panama in 2014 by Bermudez and enterprise accomplice/chef Mario Castrellón, Cafe Unido runs 10 areas in Panama, plus the fantastically designed stall at La Cosecha.
Cafe Unido at La Cosecha. Picture by Susana Aramaburú, Ptyology, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
Roasting within the U.S. happens on a 15-kilo Loring roaster in a 5,500-square-foot warehouse shared with gelato firm Dolcezza. In Panama the corporate roasts on a 15-kilo Giesen roaster in Panama Metropolis and a 10-kilo machine in Boquete.
Roaster Alejandro Fabrega at Unido’s roastery in Panama. Picture by Milton Scantlebury, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
“Once we opened our first store in Panama in 2014, lots of people in Panama weren’t used to consuming specialty espresso,” mentioned Bermudez. “Most of our specialty tons are exported to Asia or different elements of the world, so once we first opened our doorways, there was plenty of schooling, completely different brewing strategies and all that. I really feel we’re replicating that very same factor right here in D.C. Panama produces wonderful espresso, however we’re nonetheless a fairly small producing nation, so lots of people don’t find out about it.”
At Cafe Unido’s D.C. roastery. Picture by Susana Aramaburú, Ptyology, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
A “espresso omakase” program debuting at Shaw this week consists of a 45-minute tasting menu that features a flight of coffees, bites and occasional cocktails. The common menu features a combination of plates for sharing, mild bites and different dishes showcasing flavors, elements and traditions from Panama.
Breakfast choices embrace zapallo (candy squash) pancakes with butternut syrup, and eggs benedict with sofrito hollandaise and yucca patties. Lunch and dinner fare embrace empanadas and hojaldres (flatbreads). Burgers are handled to a espresso rub and topped with cascara ketchup. Chicharrones are slow-braised in cascara and occasional earlier than being crisped to order.
Picture by Brian Oh, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
“We incorporate plenty of espresso into our meals menu, not solely simply pairing it however really utilizing espresso as elements,” mentioned Bermudez. “Mario has been moving into it fairly a bit recently, like utilizing recent cherry which you’ll solely get every year.”
On the 500-square-foot stall in La Cosecha, curvy overhead shelving and a retail show island incorporate pure wooden, purple brick and festive terrazzo stone surfaces. Below woven rattan pendant lighting, a Fetco batch brewer, a Modbar pourover system and a Slayer Steam LP espresso machine set the stage for celebration of Panamanian coffees.
Cafe Unido at La Cosecha. Picture by Susana Aramaburú, Ptyology, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
In Shaw, the corporate equally interweaves stone, tile and pure wooden parts with a extra subdued palette of cream and earth tones all through a 1,980-square-foot area. Woven rattan panels divide the seating areas.
On the bar, a pair of Marco SP9 brewers pace up the single-cup manufacturing for the higher-volume setting alongside a Marco Jet batch brewer and a Slayer Steam LP.
Picture by Brian Oh, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
“We do have a pair parts which are the identical, just like the rattan constructions, that are very Panamanian,” Bermudez mentioned of the interiors, which have been designed in collaboration with Meghan Dorrien of Younger America Artistic. “In each areas we tried to maintain it clear so the espresso star of the present — a little bit bit Latin American impressed with out it being overly ethnic. On the new location, we needed to create an area that was comfy to hang around even after hours… Even when it’s actually chilly on the market, you need to have that Panama vibe.”
Inexperienced espresso sourcing for the Panama-based firm is virtually a matter of visiting neighbors. Bermudez mentioned the corporate brings employees each D.C. and Panama to witness harvesting and take part in sourcing.
Co-Founder Benito Bermudez. Picture by Milton Scantlebury, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
“It’s one of many perks of being Panamanian,” mentioned Bermudez. “Each lot we choose is immediately sourced in Panama, most definitely tasted and cupped on my own… It’s extra than simply direct commerce. It’s like friendship and household. We go as much as a farm, cup all morning, choose some tons, after which we now have a handshake and a beer afterward.”
Along with additional growing culinary and occasional operations on the new Shaw Cafe, Cafe Unido is at present growing a ready-to-drink (RTD) product anticipated to launch subsequent 12 months.
Picture by Brian Oh, courtesy of Cafe Unido.
Cafe Unido is positioned at 908 W St NW in D.C. Inform DCN’s editors about your new espresso store or roastery right here.
Extra From DCN
Howard Bryman
Howard Bryman is the affiliate editor of Each day Espresso Information by Roast Journal. He’s based mostly in Portland, Oregon.
