Katsu had spent 20 years in The US. The last of these years he became passionate about coffee. He trained at Counter Culture Coffee and Gimme Coffee, the first decent espresso and coffee makers beyond Italy. Well, kind of … . When Katsu, in the late 1990ies decided to go back to Japan, his mind was already revolving around opening a “coffee stand with it’s own roaster”. And there he is. Standing firm behind his La Marzocca, adjusting the filter holder, filling it and measuring the brown powder, the sound of the mill, the deep roar of the milk foamer … you get it, you have seen, heard and smelled it.
But still the place, Bear Pond Espresso is something really special. Located in Tokyo’s Shimokitazawa neighborhood it was actually there before the quarter became trendy. Or did the quarter become trendy because of Bear Pond? If you happen to be in Tokyo, take our word for it …. the journey is worth the 30 seconds when you are standing in front of Katsu, place your order and wait for your –preferably but not mandatory– espresso. Katsu Tanaka’s signature is a drop of espresso running down the side of the cup. This is the Angel’s stain. And this is most likely to be the stain on your inner hard drive to remind you of that one cup you had here, for the rest of your coffee-drinking life.
And yes there is a website and shop on it. www.bear-pond.com
If you had enough coffee join us to a wine tasting under supervision!
JOURNAL. What you might want to know…
Doing something by hand can change a lot. Buying something handmade out of conviction can do the same. It changes – or has already changed – the way we think. Especially when it comes to our food. What do we buy? Who made it? What can we perhaps grow ourselves? How do our actions and decisions change, first ourselves, then our purchases, then the landscape?
Every sourdough – that culture of lactic acid bacteria and yeast in a mixture of flour and water – is unique, like a fingerprint, because in every region there are individual bacteria in the air that give each loaf its very own flavour. One person who knows more about the infinite variety of sourdough cultures than most – whose culture is culture, so to speak – is the Belgian Karl De Smedt, keeper and archivist of Europe’s only sourdough library.
It’s virtually impossible to miss Julius Brantner Brothandwerk if you’re a fan of baked goods and find yourself in Munich. The charming Swabian baker has recently opened his second location, the first being such a success. With his team working transparently behind large glass windows, Julius strives to make “honest and trustworthy handling of all ingredients and processes accessible,” he says. Unsurprisingly, locals and tourists flock to the shopfront to sample their aromatic bread and delectable treats.
SHOP. Our latest releases….
FINDER. Find your maker…
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Annika Schüler, a renowned ceramicist, collaborates with Munich’s fine dining establishments, crafting bespoke ceramic collections that blend traditional techniques with innovative design. Her creations add a touch of class to...
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Annika Schüler, a renowned ceramicist, collaborates with Munich’s fine dining establishments, crafting bespoke ceramic collections that blend traditional techniques with innovative design. Her creations add a touch of class to the dining experience, transcending minimalist tableware with their unusual shapes
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Timeless aesthetics, quality and individuality are essential to the Munich based furniture and lighting company ClassiCon. Its name stands for classic contemporary design, as it builds on famous classics, while...
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Timeless aesthetics, quality and individuality are essential to the Munich based furniture and lighting company ClassiCon. Its name stands for classic contemporary design, as it builds on famous classics, while at the same time presenting contemporary design.
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The HORL manual knife sharpener offers a satisfying and hands-on approach to keeping your blades sharp. With a rotating diamond grinding disc and magnetic angle support, it ensures even and...
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The HORL manual knife sharpener offers a satisfying and hands-on approach to keeping your blades sharp. With a rotating diamond grinding disc and magnetic angle support, it ensures even and reproducible sharpening results, making it a must-have for knife enthusiasts
Makers Bible Crafting Cuisine inspires those who love to spend time in the kitchen, cook with hand and heart, try new things and celebrate a
Martin Schönleitner is one of 17 fishermen at Lake Chiemsee. Together with wife Verena Stephan they both run Chiemseefischerei Stephan, a family business for 400 years. Their ancestors had started their venture at Lake Constance. For three generations (at the present site) the Stepahn family lives and fishes at Lake Chiemsee, Prien am Chiemsee to be precise.
The tailor-made suit is still considered the highest-quality and most individual version of the garment. German men’s tailors work in the awareness of covering a particularly wide range of the demands their profession places on them.
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