FRUKT | TURKU
EIGHT DEADLY SHOTS
My flight from Copenhagen landed at 3pm. My train north was at 6pm. Three hours to kill in Turku, a city I had never been to, but I had one spot saved on google maps: Frukt.
I checked the opening times. Fuck. They close at 4pm. I began to sweat profusely, running through the tiny airport, boarding the bus, and praying he left early. The doors closed, but the bus didn't move, as a hippie looking backpacker argued about something less important than my future cup of coffee. She finally relented, handed over some money, and found a seat.
The bus reached downtown at 3.45. I checked the map, 8 minute walk. Out of breath, I stumbled into the cafe, conscious of the fact that most service industry places hate latecomers as they usually start cleaning and packing away half an hour before.
Instead I was greeted with a big smile, and after explaining how I had three hours in Turku, and had wanted to visit Frukt for a while, my fears were allayed and my bag placed down in relieved strokes. I perused the menu, was recommended their Geisha, agreed, chatted with the barista about the shop and mulled their retail shelves.
Moments later, owner and head roaster Samuli, appeared. We got into a long discussion about the scene in Turku, the importance of washed coffee, the trend of many to veer towards heavily processed formulas (sadly), the bakery his wife runs (I tasted a delicious pastry that had floral notes), and between tongue-wagging, managed to taste two or three of their wonderful coffee.
A couple of producers from Brazil entered for a meeting, so I didn't want to outstay my welcome. I sipped my coffee, paid, and grabbed my bag.
I traded a few grams of coffee I had in my bag from
Norange in Copenhagen for them to try, and in return I received two small bags of coffee I hadn't tried in the shop. What a beautiful day it turned out to be.
Unbelievably, I had managed to drop by and visit what I consider one of Finlands most important cafes, despite my plane landing an hour before closing time. That speaks of Finnish efficiency, and the generosity of the staff to let me stay after closing and drink some clean, sweet, complex cups.
I hope I'll be back one day, with a bit more time to spare. Thanks Frukt!
