A UNIQUE blend of coffee has arrived in Reading, thanks to a new independent business.
Filter Coffee House in Castle Street launched last month bringing with it an Indian-inspired brew.
Mac Dsouza’s signature blend reflects the drinks the 21-year-old grew up with. He recommends trying it made with sugar, but it is just as enjoyable without.
The menu also includes an Americano, hot chocolate, iced coffees, milkshakes, and protein shakes.
Food options include croissants and pain au chocolats – just as you would elsewhere – but also a banana bun, which Mac says sells out on a regular basis.
Born in Dubai, he lived in India for a time, before coming to Reading. And despite loving the UK, he really pined for a taste of home.
Indian coffee, he explains, is a blend of Arabic and Robusta beans, mixed with chicory which, when roasted, tastes like coffee. The beans are all single origin from Karnataka in South India.
“I really missed it,” he said. “So, I did some research, it took me about eight- or nine-months testing recipes.
“I got my coffee from India and tested, tested, tested. I finally found a good recipe out of trial and error.
“There were loads of testing of really bad coffees, and lots of really nice ones. It had to be good without adding sugar, so it’s a good cup of coffee.”
Mac wanted to share that with Reading and opened his doors last month.
“It was a sensational feeling serving our first customer,” he said. “I was really nervous about what they thought the new concept, as it’s not what you see in any other coffee shop, but luckily they tasted the coffee and loved it.
“That made me very happy, and now I’m seeing loads of people come back. There has been an amazing response.”
Mac’s blend is a closely guarded secret for now, and he hopes in the future to offer packets for people to make a brew at home.
“The feedback from returning customers is they love it as it is completely different from their previous coffees.”
The banana buns are a labour of love, and another reminder of his childhood.
“It’s something close to my heart,” he said. “I had to learn how to make them, it again took me nine months and lots of recipe testing. It’s made from bananas, a bit of cumin seed, yoghurt, and flour.
“It’s a more South Indian take on banana bread.”
“I expected it to be one of our least sellers, but it has been one of our best.”
While he enjoyed his grandmother’s home-cooked banana buns when he was little, his grandmother has yet to see how her apprentice has got on – that will come, and Mac smiles when he says he’s nervous about getting her verdict.
The protein shakes are another way Mac aims to offer something different. Flavours include a PB&B (peanut butter, bananas, oat milk and vanilla protein powder), avocado, or mixed berry. All have 30g of protein powder as part of the mix.
“I like keeping fit and healthy, but when I went out for a drink, I wanted something healthier than a normal shake. Other protein shakes had just 2g of protein in, so I thought when I make one, I’ll put proper protein in it.
“There’s very few places I’ve seen actually do it, but when they do, they charge a fortune.
“For me, it’s about keeping prices affordable to everyone, especially with the coffees.”
Another feature of the store is a chess board, and he’s planning on getting a few more games.
“It’s so anyone coming up for a cup of coffee can sit and relax while enjoying their drink,” he says.
But, he adds, when it comes to his game, he’s only a five out of 10.
The coffee on the other hand? That’s a straight 10 out of 10.
Filter Coffee House in Castle Street, Reading, is open seven days a week from 7am to 7pm.
