JASON AND NIGEL SOON
Founder and CEO, and brand partnerships and growth manager, respectively, of Kim Guan Guan Coffee
For Jason Soon, starting Kim Guan Guan Coffee (KGG) was a road riddled with obstacles. In 1988, with no knowledge about coffee, he started the business with a partner who left after just two years. From there, it was an uphill battle to earn his customers' trust, learn the ins-and-outs about coffee roasting and eventually introduce automation into the process. Today, KGG is a household name, supplying ground coffee powder made from Robusta and Columbian beans to coffee shops and chains across the island. Jason (J) and his son, Nigel (N) also run Kim's Duet, their recently rebranded B2C brand of take-home, local steep coffee bags available online and at selected retail stores.
How do you roast your beans?
J: Roasting is an art. You're essentially trying to bake the coffee without boiling the surface of the beans. After baking, we add margarine and sugar. The most tedious part is the caramelising. Western coffee only needs one roast and that might take about 12 minutes. But ours need about 35 minutes. When we caramelise the beans with the sugar, the timing has to be accurate or the sugar will turn bitter or sour. If that happens, the blend won't give you the taste of Singapore kopi.
We also need to be mindful of the temperature during roasting and caramelising. The beans are then quickly separated while hot to prevent them from hardening and clumping together.
What makes a good cup of kopi?
J: Aside from roasting, a good cup of kopi is in how you brew it. We tell our clients how much water is needed for one bag of coffee. I also tell them to let the coffee sit for three to four minutes before they hand-pull.
How would you describe Singapore's coffee culture?
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
TRIUMPH OF IMAGINATION
Cartier’s latest limited-edition Tutti Tutti jewellery collection is a joyful expression of the house’s boundless creativity and commitment to pushing design boundaries.
Dancing on a Palate
Singapore is a haven for gourmets seeking the next must-visit food spots. Here are four that offer flavours from the region and beyond.
THE X FACTOR
Geely’s Zeekr X is an all-electric poweiimes of a compact SUV that packs plenty of Scandinavian charm into a sumptuous cabin.
MISSION TO ENGAGE
Filmmaker HE SHUMING crafts his stories of human connection with the aim of sparking the magic of cinema.
PORT OF DELIGHT
The Douro Valley, the home of port wine, offers more than just exceptional vintages. Here, visitors are immersed in centuries-old winemaking traditions, luxurious retreats and awe-inspiring landscapes.
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
The Paraiba tourmaline has become the gemstone du jour, a stunning showcase of electric blue and green capturing the hearts of their wearers. But what exactly is it about these vibrant gems that has caught the world's attention?
A House of Enchantment
Van Cleef & Arpels' Asia Pacific president JULIE CLODY MEDINA sheds light on the enduring popularity of the classic Alhambra, and why the jewellery maison is on a mission to share its savoir-faire with the widest possible audience.
Wonder in Every Moment
From a Santos-Dumont that tells the time backwards to the Reflections bracelet watch that mirrors a dial using a polished surface, Cartier's latest timepieces revolve around the theme of magic. Cartier image, style and heritage director PIERRE RAINERO shares more.
IN PERFECT HARMONY
breathes fresh life into one of its oldest watch families inspired by a classical design principle.
HEAVENLY HOST
Capella Hotel group president CRISTIANO RINALDI reveals what the World's Best Hotel Brand has in store.