Following news that a dairy farmer in Ayrshire had created the UK’s most expensive coffee the Record headed down for a taste – and it turns out it’s worth every penny.
The flat white, which was launched at Mossgiel Farm in Mauchline, consists of espresso and steamed milk and costs a whopping £272 per drink. The price may come as a shock, but having seen it first-hand we now understand why this gimmick is so important.
We were served the cup at Gilmartin’s Bakery in Stewarton, which is owned by Mossgiel and is just a 25 minute drive from the farm. In terms of flavour this is easily a 10/10 coffee – as, I suppose, you would hope.
Due to the special way the farm pasteurises their organic milk, it had the perfect consistency, with a slight sweetness to the flavour and the froth was so silky and smooth that it actually glistened. Their very own Mossgiel blend beans had a deep roasted, strong flavour that was perfectly balanced.
In short, it was absolutely perfect. But, without trying to sound too much like a festive M&S advert, this wasn’t just an organic Mossgiel blend flat white coffee – it was so much more. It didn’t just taste good, it felt good – and that’s because alongside the coffee, you get 34 shares in Mossgiel Farm too.
The costly coffee is part of eco-friendly farm owner Bryce Cunningham’s bold drive to raise funds for a state-of-the-art, zero-waste dairy facility, which will give them the backing needed to revolutionise the way we consume milk.
Speaking to the Record at the farm, Bryce explained: “The way that we pasteurise milk works really well in speciality coffees. When you froth our milk, the micro foam is very stable, it takes the bitterness of the coffee away and it’s very sweet.
“We feel we have now perfected the process and so when we started crowdfunding for the new facility we thought we could use our coffee as our unique selling point. The reaction has been amazing – it quickly went viral and we’ve already raised £15,000.”
In reality, the £272 coffee is exactly the same as the one you receive if you order the £2.75 cup from the normal day-to-day menu. Every cup in the cafe is made using the best Mossgiel organic produce – however, with this purchase you’re investing in a sustainable future.
Bryce, who returned to his family farm in 2016 after the loss of both his father and grandfather, has spent years transforming Mossgiel into a leader in eco-friendly agriculture.
The 37-year-old took the Record on a tour of the 100% self-sustainable farm, where Rabbie Burns once ploughed the fields and penned many of his most well-known songs, showing us all the efficient equipment, from their bio-mass boiler to the solar panels that charge the vehicles on site.
They are still, however, hoping to raise another £120,000 to finance the new facility that would enable them to double output and enter new markets, including London.
Bryce added: “With your £273 you get your coffee, 34 shares – and you’ll become my business partner, receiving regular investor updates. You’re investing in a sustainable future for farming and joining a movement that’s changing the dairy industry. We know it sounds crazy, but when you break it down, it’s a pretty good deal.”
The coffee can be found at 13 coffee shops across Scotland and is available until Tuesday, December 3. Mossgiel’s Crowdcube page also provides a variety of investment choices starting at only £8, enabling everyone to get involved and support the farm’s cause.
The coffee can be found in Edinburgh, at Williams & Johnson, The Lady and the Bear, The Dean, and Disposition Coffee are taking part. Ayrshire is represented by Gilmartin’s, while Glasgow sees support from Hinba, The Good Coffee Cartel, Ottoman Coffee, Spitfire Espresso, and both Thomson’s.
For more information on Mossgiel’s crowdfunding campaign and to sign up for the £272 flat white, visit Crowdcube.
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