Capital Caff: Silence Coffee Sets up Shop in Nugget
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Way back when it first opened in 2017, Silence Coffee, originally located in Beixinqiao, had made a name for itself by being a noise free café.
This affinity for silence is meant to raise awareness about deafness. The café is run by co-owners Jackie and Julie, who are both deaf, but they don’t stop at using the space to raise awareness for hearing impairment in China, also putting on events and happenings for deaf patrons and deaf individuals residing in Beijing.
Now, the café has found a new home at nugget, where Jackie has set up shop since last Friday, taking over the daytime coffee menu at the space in Andingmen.
I recently spoke with Jackie to find out more about the move, what events Silence has planned at nugget, and more about his love for coffee.
What got you interested in coffee making? What’s your favorite coffee to make?
I became interested in making coffee professionally after I learned from a student who had obtained a barista qualification certificate that it’s a job that requires professional certification. Before this, the first time I encountered coffee was in middle school, when I stumbled across two cans of instant coffee a relative had sent to my grandfather as a gift. At the time, I didn’t know what coffee was, so I dug out a spoonful and tasted it. I felt nothing but bitterness. I only learned later that the powder was meant to be boiled with water to bring out the flavor. I had no idea this black powder would become a career. It takes love and passion to spread coffee culture.
As for my favorite kind of coffee, you only need hot water to extract all the good stuff from the beans when making coffee, so it’d have to be pour-over. This simple and direct brewing method makes it easier for one to taste the actual flavor of the coffee. A good cup of pour-over coffee has a balanced, distinct taste. Coffee is bitter and sour, sweet and mellow, just like life.
How did the collaboration with nugget come about?
We had our own shop, but I wanted to have a little less financial pressure, so I decided to move into nugget. I am a big fan of their business model, and I also like how tight-knit their community is.
I heard that you host events for the hearing impaired in Beijing through Silence Coffee. What kind of events do you typically host?
We hold a great many events, including silent plays, movies about deaf people, and book clubs for the deaf.
In what other ways does Silence seek to help deaf people in Beijing?
We connect to other deaf people in Beijing and China through sharing silent coffee videos and stories on TikTok. We also utilize social resources to help the hearing impaired in an effort to remove any kind of barriers they may face in life. We also allow people from all walks of life to participate in these activities.
Will you host any events at nugget moving forward?
Yes we have a lot planned! Along with the plays, movies, and book club, we’ll also be introducing more coffee-centric events like barista training.
Why would you recommend people come to Silence?
Silence Coffee is an inclusive café. Everyone needs a little time every once in a while to quiet down and reflect on themselves, no matter what industry they’re in. So, Silence caters to this need. Come here to feel the warmth and optimism; it can calm your soul a bit.
Silence Coffee (Andingmen)
8 Andingmen Garden Front Alley, Dongcheng District
东城区安定门花园前巷8号
READ: Capital Caff: Get Lost (in Good Coffee) at Out There Coffee
Images: 安安的旅程 (via Dianping), courtesy of Silence Coffee
