Making world a more civilised place

What makes a good coffee? Is it the rich aroma or the taste? Reporter tries to nail it down in this story for our series.

Thomas Jefferson described coffee as ‘‘the favourite drink of the civilised world’’.

He was right. There’s some very uncivilised people across the globe until they have had their first shot of coffee to start the day.

There are differing stories as to where coffee started.

The most accepted is that it originated on the Ethiopian plateau by a farmer who observed his goats became energetic after eating beans from a certain tree.

He reported his findings to a monastery who made it into a drink. They too awoke to what we now know is the stimulant civilised people are now so reliant upon to get them through the day.

Throughout Cambridge connoisseurs now are very particular about where they go for their caffeine fix.

Under the trees on Pope Terrace, dependant upon the time of day, you will find a line up of cars, trucks and people of all sizes and descriptions surrounding a little caravan.

It belongs to roadside coffee seller Jaqui Misson aka, The Lattee Lady.

Whether it be Espresso,

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Do you knowof a unique career, job or occupation worth sharing with the rest of the district? Please send in your ideas for our series to reporter Mike Bain: mike.bain@fiarfaxmedia.co.nz Cappuccino, Americano, Caffe Latte, Caf au Lait, Caf Mocha (Mochachino), or a Caramel Macchiato any good barista will provide it.

Misson worked most of her life in the equine industry. Moving on to become the Lattee Lady was a natural transition as her mother ‘‘was big on hospitality’’.

She admits the coffee cart idea came while having a mid-life crisis.

‘‘Crisis, what crisis I haven’t time for it, I am now working harder than I have ever before,’’ she said.

Misson chats away with her steady stream of customers from 7am until just after lunch.

She remembers all her customers, whether they be regulars or first-time visitors. She also can remember what type of coffee people like and who has a coffee card.

‘‘To be a barista you don’t have to drink coffee, just be passionate about what you do,’’ she said.

And what’s the secret to a good coffee?

She winked and said, ‘‘can’t tell you, because Its a secret’’.