JAVA, 1997-2022

JAVA espressobar & kaffeforretning celebrates 25 years on St. Hanshaugen in Oslo. It started as a dream of creating a type of neighborhood spot that didn't exist in Norway at the time, and an idea of filling it with one of the drinks we love most in this country: coffee.

Ullevålsveien 47, as it looked before Java took over. Initially, only in the premises on the left:

This is how one of the first coffee bars in our own capital began. Java founder Robert William won several Norwegian and Nordic barista championships in the early years, and first place in the first world championship in Monte Carlo in 2000. This marked the beginning of a wave of attention to Oslo from all over the world, and little Java gained iconic status as a coffee destination from Tokyo to Seattle and beyond.

Robert William on Java's opening day, December 13, 1997:

After its sister company Mocca kaffebar & brenneri was established a couple of years later with its own coffee roastery inside the cafe at Briskeby, our establishments became recognized as prime representatives of what the trade press had begun to refer to as the Third Wave in Specialty Coffee, and the birthplace of a so-called Scandinavian Roast Style.

Although the main goal was to become a beloved gathering spot in the neighborhood, for residents and visitors alike, Java has thus played a part in building an entirely new coffee tradition in Norway. We are equally proud of both.

This is what Java looks like from the outside today:

About coffee.
Coffee is a drink, made by many hands, and it is always a cultural expression. When we talk about coffee having, for example, a "fruity note," it's not to appear pretentious and fancy in our language, but an attempt to convey in two words that the coffee comes from a plant that gives it potential; provided the varietal is interesting, and the processing of the cherry is elaborate. After that, the coffee beans must be carefully roasted, ground, and enjoyed fresh, and brewed with the intention of showcasing the qualities of the coffee as clearly and distinctly as possible. In short: a really good cup of coffee requires conscientious craftsmanship at every stage.

It all starts with the raw material. Although the coffee plant originally comes from the African continent, some of the most sought-after coffee varieties are found in the Americas, for example in Panama...

This is the first of two blog posts in celebration of Java's 25th anniversary. The next one, about the anniversary coffee itself, can be found here. 

 What is probably Norway's first iced coffee, Espresso Tonic (aka "Taxi Driver") served in the spring of 1998: 

Before the final construction, mock-ups of the interior and colors were tested: