Java Junkies - Quest for the Perfect Bean

The Java Junkies are back!

by Liza Rowan

Unfortunately, only half the women we were! Remember those days when we could actually be in a group of eight? Nevertheless, the four of us plus our favorite host, Jonathan from Tiong Bahru Bakery, had such a fun afternoon at TBB’s latest outlet - Foothills@Fort Canning.

Jenni Lee, Keri Matwick, Sandy Harford, Liza Rowan

The location was once the River Valley Swimming Complex, one of the earliest public pools in Singapore. The two buildings now house TBB bakery used to be the shower areas. This heritage is beautifully reflected in the decor of the cafe with themed posters, signs and quirky artifacts placed within the store and grounds.

When you’re done admiring the décor and furnishings, you can check out the bakery, which supplies all the seven outlets with their daily croissants, baguettes and more. Here you can watch the TBB "Viennoiserie" team in action making thousands of signature croissants by hand, while you indulge yourself in that homely aroma of fresh baking. They bake 5,000 croissants per day on weekdays and 8,000 on weekends!

Cutting the French butter

And if that isn’t enough, you can also take sourdough making classes whereby you’ll be provided with your own home baking kit. The Sourdough Academy offers beginner and immediate classes, whereby you use their 160-year-old starter kit and learn how to bake various types of breads. Sourdough croissants anyone? Which, by the way, are only offered at this particular outlet in a praline version.

The pastry counter

Tiong Bahru Bakery’s Foothills@Fort Canning is truly the perfect place to hang out with friends, bring your laptop and get creative, or simply sit and enjoy the serenity and calm over the best croissants, and arguably the best coffee, on the island.

Want to know more? Join our Facebook group and sign up for our next outing! www.facebook.com/groups/awajavajunkies

Liza Rowan is a holistic nutritionist, supporting Green Umbrella, an education NGO in Cambodia. You can also find her proudly holding a tennis racket or coffee cup!