Good Times At TazZa
If you live outside the UK and are maybe unfamiliar with British culture, the high street is a common ground where one can find places to shop, eat and drink (if you will). I used to live in close proximity to Sutton High Street and would frequent the area for matters concerning fitness, retail therapy and (of course) coffee. So when I discovered TazZa, an independent coffee shop, in the middle of Sutton, I was ecstatic. For me it was a breath of fresh air; a little humble sanctuary amongst second-wave giants dotted on the area.
TazZa has been a mainstay on Sutton High Street for many years however it closed for six weeks in early 2018 to undergo an extensive refurbishment and became what you see today. I first visited this place late 2017 before the revamp.
Perhaps peculiarly, TazZa is owned by a local church, C3 UnitedLife, and since their refurbishment chose to partner with Redemption Roasters as their coffee supplier. A name that may seem familiar to you if you have seen other entries in my blog, Redemption Roasters runs their coffee roastery out of Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Aylesbury with the aim of turning the lives of young offenders around and equipping them with career skills so they are less likely to reoffend. With this in mind it is easy to see why a church owned coffee shop would seek a supply partnership such as this. Before I knew Redemption Roasters were their suppliers, I remember enjoying the coffee so much I asked one of their baristas where their beans were from and she gave me a small sample to take home. It was a nice gesture.
I love how TazZa offers a welcoming atmosphere; as you enter you are greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and genuinely friendly staff. It’s also a good place for a little nibble as they serve a delicious selection of cakes and sandwiches. On busy days I happen to end up in TaZza (no idea how that keeps happening 😅) where I always go for a slice of their red velvet with my cappuccino and I find myself smiling with content.
If you aren’t in the mood for coffee (firstly….😐), I highly recommend checking out their guest teas. The Yuja tea was a particular highlight for me no doubt influenced by the large Korean contingent in the neighboring New Malden. Think of a Yuja as dry lemon, you won’t get much juice out of it but sliced and sweetened with sugar or honey it makes a great citrus tea, TazZa even likes to serve their own take on Yuja tea that is further fragranced with a small sprig of rosemary.
TazZa became something of a joy to visit and quickly became more than a local favourite. There is a sense of community amongst the staff and customers. I would always see familiar faces every time I visit. Their walls are also adorned by artworks and handicrafts created by local artists and if you fancy buying their products you may do so in store. I like to believe I am a bit of creative soul and being surrounded with art in any form whilst having my favourite beverage makes me feel inspired. They also host activities out of hours such as acoustic evenings and cupping sessions! I have been to one of their coffee tasting events and learned a lot from how coffee beans have different characteristics in terms of flavour and aroma; how they are sourced, processed and prepared. It was a very informative and fun evening!
It seems that the more I learn about coffee, the more I realise I don’t know a lot of things about the subject, hence the reason for my coffee journey and this blog!
I have now moved to Dorset but made a lot of friends in Sutton. I know I will keep try and go back to this coffee shop whenever I am in the area. Thank you TazZa for making my caffeine-needing-soul satisfied on the short period I spent there. Until next time! I can truly say, the combination of great atmosphere, good coffee and great service make this coffee shop the best in Sutton High Street!
I understand the current pandemic has had a massive impact on small businesses such as local coffee shops and roasters. The world is on pause but once this is all over, I this industry comes back stronger. I will continue to support my locals (responsibly). Looking forward to visiting my favourite coffee places again -- hopefully soon. Stay safe, always.
