The Korean godfather of charcoal-roasted coffee

Thu, 02/23/2012 - 09:07 — Anonymous by Frances Cha, Seoul EditorLocated on
the outskirts of the quirky Heyri Art Village in the Gyeonggi province, Kaldi
Coffee features the high ceilings, beautiful hand-carved wooden tables and
chairs and rows of delicate glass siphon coffeemakers at the bar that would
make it seem like the perfect coffee shop to spend a rainy day. But when
passers-by -- most of whom made the trip to see the various art galleries in
the village -- walk in to order some coffee, they tend to be met with
surprise, rather than the briskly efficient order-taking characteristic of
most coffeeshops. Also on CNNGo: Heyri Art Village: Korea's melting pot of
creativity Despite its appearance, Kaldi Coffee is not really a coffeeshop.
In the coffee-obsessed Korean foodie blogosphere, it is known as "the
factory," and the origin of charcoal-roasted coffee in the country. "The
taste is quite different than coffee made from beans roasted over gas
fire," says owner Seo Duk-sik, 54, of the unique method of roasting beans
over charcoal. "It's subtler, and much more aromatic."read more