Three Wise Men and Merry Berry Thyme: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at PULP

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 ― “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

That’s the feeling I get when I walk into PULP, that coffee bar at APW Bangsar that feels like home with cheerful greetings from baristas and smiles from well-caffeinated regulars welcoming me every time. This year, Yuletide at PULP definitely has a ring of “Ho, ho, ho!” thanks to their seasonal specials.

Begin with their new Cold Brew White, a creamy and chocolaty milk beverage with a touch of hazelnut finish with the coffee punch. According to PULP’s chief coffee purveyor Marcus Foo, “We have been serving our Cold Brew Black since the day we opened our doors in 2014 and we were getting calls to have a milk version.”

PULP’s signature Cold Brew Black (left) and their new Cold Brew White (right).

To create their Cold Brew White, the Papa Palheta team has been through many rounds of R&D to get the right formula... to find the perfect balance of coffee and milk. The coffee is steeped over 12 hours at room temperature and you can taste its silky kick, even with the milk.

The Three Wise Men blend is made up of a trio of Guatemalan coffees.

For something that can be served black, white or brewed at home, try their Three Wise Men blend, available throughout December in their hopper and as packaged beans for purchase.

The blend’s name harkens to the Biblical story of the three wise men who brought precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newly-born saviour.

“Every year we celebrate the holidays with our best coffees,” says Foo. “This year happened to be the year of Guatemalan coffee hence the trio of Finca Pancum, Plan Del Guayabo and Finca San Antonio. Our blend tastes of ripe cherries, caramel and cocoa nibs. The tasting notes not only remind of us of Christmas but pairs really well with the sweets and snacks over the holiday season.”

Merry Berry Thyme (middle), a 12-hour thyme infused Earl Grey tea with cranberry compote.

Not feeling like coffee? How about some Merry Berry Thyme, an ice tea created by resident barista Carmen Cheang after months of dedicated R&D. She came up with a 12-hour thyme infused Earl Grey tea with cranberry compote. Foo says, “We introduced this to give non-coffee drinkers a Christmas option so they won’t feel left out but yet still have a merry time!”

Hot Mint Chocolate with marshmallows on the side. ― Pictures courtesy of PULP by Papa Palheta

And what would Christmas be without hot chocolate? At PULP, they have been serving drinking chocolate from Grounded Pleasures and every Christmas they would serve the Ice Mint Chocolate. But how about a Hot Mint Chocolate? Foo says, “This year, we decided to do a hot version of the refreshing Mint Chocolate with some marshmallows on the side!”

The PULP team’s wish for Christmas 2016 and the coming new year is to focus on education. Foo explains, “Our theme for 2017 is ‘Bringing back the story in coffee.’ This means education on specialty coffee and telling the story of the coffees we have been sourcing over the years, some for four to five consecutive years.”

Given PULP’s location at APW Bangsar has seen new F&B establishments opening recently, Foo also hopes to continue building a community together with their new neighbours, creating a space “where people can work, gather and socialise.” Sounds like a recipe for good old fashioned Christmas spirit!

PULP by Papa Palheta

29-01, Jalan Riong

Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-10pm; Sat & Sun 9am-11pm

Tel: 03-22013650

www.facebook.com/PULPbyPapaPalheta