Qaldi, The Newest Cafe to Hit Muntinlupa City (Part III: THE DRINKS)

If you have reached this part, it only means you wish to complete the whole article and what I have to say about Qaldi.  Like you, I also have a question regarding the place . . .Why Qaldi? What is Qaldi?

The History
Pronounced as "Kal-dee", it came from the word Kaldi which is a name of a person in ancient times.  This individual is the discover of coffee beans, according to legends.
A goat herdsman, he noticed his goats being more active and enthusiastic after eating some cherry-like berries of a nearby tree one afternoon.  Curious with this berry-like fruit, he tried some of it and to his surprise he felt energized.  Excited with his discovery, he brought some to the local monastery and tried to convinced the monks that it is a gift from God.  Being skeptical, the monks told him that it is not a gift from God but from the devil, and threw the berries in to the fire to destroy it which resulted to a fragrant aroma coming from it.
Drawn by the smell, some of the monks decided to harvest some of the roasted fruit and tried to preserved it by placing it in a vat with hot water.  That night, the monks sat up and drank some of the fragrant brew and discovered for themselves the novel sense of elation and energy.  With that, they committed themselves into drinking the brew every night to help them stay awake during night prayers.
- Source: Qaldi's on hand literature
               www.beanthere.co.za

Why Qaldi?
Inspired with the story, the owners ultimate goal is to let everyone feel energized and inspired everytime that they visit Qaldi Coffee Bar and Cyber Cafe.

                                            ***                           ***                    ***

Back to the food adventure.  This 3rd part is all about the diffferent drinks that Qaldi is offering to the public.  From coffee (of course there would coffee) to teas, from fresh juices to sodas, this cafe has a lot to offer and is capable of servicing a wide range of the demanding public.  From hot drinks to refreshingly cold, it is up to you to try nearly all if not all.

All their coffee-based drinks are arabica from a certain region in India.  It bears a distinctive flavor that the present coffee market industry in the Philippines doesn't have.  You may say that it is simply arabica and that we have it here in the countrry.  Yes, that is true but please do remember that the resulting flavor of a coffee berry  depends on the heat and soil of where it was planted.  Different place, different flavor, same gene.

Qaldi offers 2 sizes in which you can enjoy your preferred drink (some drinks simply come in the Kabeer size).  It can be in Sageer (small) or Kabeer (big).  Either way, you are sure to have the same flavor and enjoyment and possibly more enjoyment if it is in the Kabeer size.

I will be featuring 3 hot coffee-base drinks, 2 types of teas, 4 coffee-base cold drink, a smoothie, a shake, 3 juices and 4 sodas.

Hot Drinks
Caffe Latte (75Php / 85Php)
Smooth rich coffee flavor with a velvety light cream foam, this latte is a good start up drink for tthe day or even a perk me up.
















Sheikh Almond Nut Mocha (105Php / 125Php)
Rich almondy taste. Distinct coffee flavor. Rich whip cream. What more can you ask for?  This not just a coffee, this is a coffee creation.  Relaxing as you sip it but energizing as you finish your cup.













Black and White Mocha (85Php / 95Php)
Actually, this is one fun drink.  When served, you get to see the layers of colors and flavor.  Mix it well (it is a must!) before drinking.  It white mocha when combined to their dark with the cream on top becomes a refreshing drink.  Think of ice cream when you get to hit the cream and drink at the same time.













Dilmah T-Series (105Php) & Exceptional (95Php)

Berry Sensation

Peach

This is the mark of tea blends that they offer.  You would get to encounter the exceptional series in the market but for the T-series, you would only get it from the top establishment in the market.  For a starting restaurant, this speaks a lot. All tea flavors bears the actual essence that the name carries.  The Berry Sensation (Exceptional) is composed of 4 types of berries combined to create that fruity flavor.  The Peach (T-series), comes with its signature tea leaf bag and is fragrant making its fruit sake proud.  Served in a glass pot with a candle burner underneath to help maintain the heat of the drink and small cups for pure flavor enjoyment.  This is tea drinking enjoyment.

Cold Drinks
Black Forest (150Php)
What can I say about this drink? Have a rightly concucted based choco drink, place whip cream and top it off with a round bright red cherry.  You now have a Black Forest Frappe.  Is it good?  As a start, it shows promise.  A little more tweeking and it would make proud of its name and its original bearer of the name, which is a cake.












Qaldi Frappe (145Php)
What makes this drink different?  The coffee and the whip cream!  The coffee has a clear and distinct flavor.  When blended with the cream, you are now enjoying 2 treats in 1 glass.  A frappe and a light coffee flavored milkshake.  If you think of milkshake as a drink that has a level a bit higher than melted ice cream, then this is smack right at the middle of that two.  Rich coffee flavor, foamy, creamy and truly drinkable.  No drop to waste.










Salted Caramel Iced Coffee (S-85Php/K-105Php)
Do I like it? Not a 100%. Do I wish to throw it? 10%.  It is not sweet compared to a regular caramel drink, which they also serve, which I guess where thhe salt comes in but I never tasted salt.  I always enjoy a drink or a meal that has contrast in flavor or even texture.  The name says contrast but the taste doesn't.  Its there but not yet there.  For a light caramel taste, then this is the drink for you.










Dark Mocha Frappe (145Php)

Now this is one drink that anyone can enjoy. Thick, smooth and rich are words that one can use to describe this drink.  The dark mocha is not that overbearing.  Whip cream showered with choco syrup; when blended together, you get a treat set for all season of the year.












They also have a good line of smoothies. And I will be true when I say I was brave enough to true one of the recommended smoothie drink.  Not because of it being a new flavor but because I never enjoyed this fruit as a drink.  I am talking about bananas.  Their Pink Banana Smoothie is indeed a delight.  It's strawberries and bananas combined to become velvety smooth.  Topped with cream and, take note, banana chips.  It was new for me and it won my heart.  You should try it.  A good drink and you won't be disappointed with it.








Shakes and Juices
Qaldi, for a starting cafe, offers a good variety of drinks.  All coming from fresh fruits or vegetable.  You can never get a juice concentrate purer than that of the actual fruit or vegetable.

Green Mango Shake, a simple but complicated drink creation.  Simple because its just green mango but complicated because it is sour and you need to balance the sourness to the sweetness placed.  I enjoyed it!

Cucumber, OJ and Apple (100% PURE)

For those who value their health then the following juices are for you. Cucumber Juice, Red Apple Juice and Orange Juice. All tagged at 65Php for sageer and 125Php for kabeer.  What they store is the actual fruit and not the juice; squeezed right there and then when you order.  For something refreshing and healthy at the same time, then the Cucumber Juice is for you.  For something light and rich in Vitamin C, then the Orange Juice is the one to talk.  The Apple Juice is both refreshing and light similar to the Qaldi OJ but made distinct because of its color due to oxidation.  A common apple pulp reaction when processed.









Sodas

4 Season, Citrus Blend, Orange and Apple

Want the fruit drink with a little fizz?  Then this is for you.  They have 5 fruit sodas being offered and I was able to taste 4. The 5th drink was not available at that time.  Talk about a drink that is in demand in the market.  They have 4 Seasons, Ctirus Blend, Orange, Apple and Grapes (not shown in the pic).  Sodas are tagged at a low price of 45Php for sabeer and 65Php for kabeer.  I enjoyed all of their fruit sodas and a must on a hot day such as the one we are experiencing right now.












My Thoughts
Let me divide my thoughts about this on 2 parts, their strong point and challenges.  Like any visionaries, there wouldn't be any innovation without some blocks along the way.

Challenges:
The staff.  They need to be customer conscious.  A step ahead of the need of the customer and knows that it takes more than a smile to make everything all right and turn a visitor into a loyal customer.  A loyal customer who will introduce them to other customers as well.
The drinks needs to be adjusted to suit and capture a specific market.  If it is named in a certain way and described supporting the name then it should taste that way.  Deliver what is promised.
The location.  A little off from the crowd or the normal visible bustle of the city.  Can be a challenge for some but a plus point for others.

Strengths:
The food.  It is delicious!  And you cannot describe it any further.  The only thing that they need to do is be quality conscious to maintain the taste that they have initially produced.
Drink flavor.  They were able to play and enhance some of their drinks bringing to a point that can be considered signature.  Their coffee flavor is definitely theirs alone.
The place.  It is a beauty!  Not crowded with chairs and table strategetically positioned giving customers a relax feel of the place.  Color is indeed well thought of.  The location is good especially for those who wish to have a quiet spot away from the normal bustle of the city or even that of the national road.  Parking is not an issue.  The whole business compound area was created with that in mind as far as I can tell.  If delivery trucks (for Max) can come and go without a problem, what more for a car.
Their leader.  He may be new to the industry and is quite aware of that fact but he is taking action. Learning the ropes from those with experience and is quite open to feedbacks.


In a few more years, this establishment will definitely capture a market, not only a small distinct market but a profitable market.  Right now, it is quite enjoyable to see Qaldi grow and evolve into the coffee bar that they have envisioned and promised.  As of this stage, some of it is definitely below the rainbow.  Some are above but what tickles me as part of the consuming public is the one that is beyond the rainbow.  The full delivery and maintainance of that rainbow to the dynamic and ever changing consumers.


Hope you enjoyed reading this entry.  Some of you may ask if I have tried all that I have featured here and the answer is yes.  From the sandwiches, to the pasta, to the rice meal and up to the drinks.  Am I for real?  Definitely for real!  Can I prove it that I have tried all that I have mentioned?  Send a feedback and I will show you how I did it.  Not in one sitting but in 3 distinctive sitting.  Up to the next above, under and beyond the rainbow topic.