Hands up if you knew that it takes 40 hands, on average, slaving away to get you from a coffee plant to that expensive cup of caffeine you nurse.

One café that tells you that, and which pledges to give a good deal to people along that whole chain, is 40 Hands, so named for that reason.

Despite being tucked away in a nondescript corner in Tiong Bahru, interest and excitement over the Australian-run place has been brewing among coffee lovers since it opened in October, thanks to reviews in Urban and even their competitor Papa Pahelta.

When UrbanWire dropped by on a Tuesday morning, we were pleased to step into its cozy 40-seater, industrial-chic setting with a minimalist approach. Recycled materials such as wooden crates are used in the décor, giving the café a raw finish, in line with the store’s vision of being socially conscious and environmentally sustainable.

Like other specialty cafés here, such as Highlander Coffee, Papa Pahelta and Oriole Café and Bar, 40 Hands supports the Third Wave Coffee movement.

Aside from promoting premium coffee as an artisan product, this movement aims to pay coffee farmers a fair, minimum wage for their harvests and cuts out the middleman, as cafes buy beans directly from coffee growers.

Conscience aside, the coffee and food didn’t disappoint either.

The Flat White ($5), an espresso shot-based drink with milk and less foam than a latte or cappuccino, was smooth and rich. It is a medium to dark roast, well balanced and full-bodied. This delicious drink is perfect for soothing the senses or nudging yourself awake gently on sleepy mornings.

The House Blend, a single origin espresso ($2.50), is intense with a fruity aftertaste and guaranteed to set your nerves buzzing. It consists of 4 specialty coffee beans, individually roasted and then blended together. This is a perfect pick-me-up!

The mouth-watering Jamaican Jerk Pork sandwich ($9.50) is a sweet and savoury delight. The sandwich consists of delicious, succulent smoked pork tenderloin, mango, dark plum chutney and mozzarella served in between freshly toasted, homemade multi-grain bread. We were impressed with its freshness and good balance of the pork’s flavour complemented by the fruits’ sweetness.

For a light snack, try Jaffa Swirl ($2.50), a homemade chocolate and orange cake. The cake is light and refreshing with sweetness tinged with the juicy, citrus taste from the orange. This dessert makes a fine teatime snack that goes well with coffee.

Most ingredients such as the meat and vegetables for food items here are sourced locally to ensure freshness and lower the carbon footprint.

The café’s baristas are also friendly and served us our coffees in under 5 minutes, topped with a smile. The food took a few more minutes to come but that’s because the Jamaican Jerk Pork sandwich was made fresh.

The location may seem obscure to some, but that’s also the beauty and charm of it, as you can enjoy coffee and food with friends in a hidden oasis tucked away from the hustle and bustle of our concrete jungle.

Address: 78 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru
Telephone No.: 6225 8545
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7.30am – 6pm
Rating: ★★★★✩