Newcastle Coffee Society: A Community in the Making

When I sat down to do research for this article, I was stunned by the amount of lore that surrounds coffee. There are numerous legends about the discovery of coffee, with varying tales of its origin. Some claim it was discovered in Mecca in the 15th century. In contrast, others suggest that a goat herder in Ethiopia observed his flock becoming more agile after nibbling on some berries and decided to try it for himself. 

Coffee has been a revolutionary drink, and it is now a household staple. For most people, it’s the first thing they start their day with. And so, it only seemed fitting to sit down with Jay Hur, a 2nd year pharmacy student, over a cup of coffee, to talk about his newly founded Newcastle Coffee Society.

Started in February of 2025, this society is the newest part of the 260+ clubs and societies that are a part of the extracurriculars offered at uni. Jay, the President of the club, was a wonderful sport, and we spent over an hour chatting about anything and everything, especially about how his interest in coffee began, and what led him to start the society. Originally a tea drinker, Jay began to experiment with drinking coffee during his gap year in Seoul, South Korea, when he was working as a barista at his local Starbucks. Drinking coffee at work led to him developing an interest in the various varieties and wide history behind it, which led him to do a deep dive into coffee lore and share it with his friends. He is now a proud owner of a (too huge for his accommodation) coffee machine, and the best part of his day is waking up just a little bit early so that he can brew and enjoy the perfect cup in the morning.

“I’d like to share what I love about coffee with other people...I’m sure there’s people who are very passionate about coffee as well”

Jay jovially recalled how he was constantly talking about coffee with his friends, who weren't big coffee enthusiasts themselves, and that is part of the reason that he thought to create the society. One of the main reasons for starting this society was to create a shared environment where fellow coffee-philes (yes, I made up a word) come together and enjoy a nice cuppa while creating new bonds and really savouring a beverage that is rooted in community.

“Coffee…it's a very communal experience. I think it's a very good opportunity to share and talk about what you like about it with other people.”

When I asked Jay for a nugget of information about the history of coffee, he told me about the story of the Ethiopian goat herder and how when coffee came to Europe, it was a part of a cultural awakening during the 17th and 18th century, as now people had a new stimulant that became central to dining, socialising and of course, it was the most delicious! 

“I’m almost certain that coffee is the second most popular beverage after water.”

According to my new favourite Coffee Club President, most people just consider coffee as a source of where they get their caffeine. But when there is a club or society that is dedicated to it, people also get to enjoy the aspect of community bonding when they are getting their daily caffeine intake. The society recently did a coffee tasting last month, where they brought in two kinds of beans and had a group tasting experience where they discussed the aromas, origin, and flavour profiles of the beans, along with finding out more about the drink and enjoying it in the process, which is the core reason behind the society’s origin.

“I’m not a big alcohol drinker as well…I’d like to have a society that’s just about sober events”, Jay mentioned honestly, and he was right! Several students are now adopting a sober lifestyle, whether it is giving up drinking for Lent or just limiting their alcohol intake, and having a society that is dedicated to a sober beverage that is universally enjoyed seems like the perfect shoo-in.

The communal aspect of food and drink, especially this drink, is what leads to the development of trends in the food industry, like the advent of ‘cafe culture’. It is a cornerstone of social gatherings and an integral part of the lives of most of the world's population. So, when I was speaking to a coffee lover, it was my moral responsibility to ask him for his top 5 recommendations to grab a good cup-o'-joe in Newcastle. 

1. Pink Lane Coffee: A great sit-down cafe right near Central Station, this place boasts a vast variety of original and white labelled beans, with excellent ambience.

2. Anyone Coffee: A cosy, hole-in-the-wall cafe right next to the Grand, it boasts a vibrant bean varietal and has the sweetest staff. The only downside is that it may be difficult to get a table as it's always packed and open for a select number of hours!

3. Roma Coffee, Heaton: An amazing cafe that uses beans from Pink Lane, but has a delightful selection of breads and pastries from bakeries from all over Newcastle.

4. North Shore: A small stall in Grainger Market, but it's a perfect spot to grab a warm cup of coffee when you’re out and about during your grocery runs. 

5. Fork in the Rose, Heaton: A florist shop and cafe all in one, they also have an exceptional brunch menu that I am dying to try out. Plus, they have amazing coffee!

Jay was sweet enough to give a bonus shout-out to Deep North, which boasts a great cup of coffee, along with their signature mouth-watering doughnuts. 

If any of you are craving coffee after reading this article, do try to check these places out as they have been tried and tested! Or you can always sign up to become a member of the Newcastle Coffee Society, and join other enthusiasts as they explore the many, many different aspects of this wonderful, heartwarming beverage.