The new Worthing coffee shop with hundreds of coffee options

From cappuccinos to flat whites, most of us have a tried and tested drink we order in a café.

But one of Worthing’s newest coffee shops, Project: Caffeine which opened in October, offers a menu that goes way beyond your normal cup of joe.

With up to 10 types of coffee served and at least 10 different ways in which to brew it, there are literally hundreds of combinations for how to get your perfect caffeine hit. Classics like lattes and Americanos are served along with a specialist instant coffee and ‘just a cup of coffee’ (which uses a coffee bag), but for those seeking to broaden their coffee horizons there is a whole host of options that might sound unfamiliar to some.

Run by Steve Buchus, a coffee industry veteran with 25 years of experience under his belt, customers at the Chapel Road venue can choose to have their coffee brewed through an aeropress, syphon, stove top and many more devices.

He said: “We get a huge mix of people coming in. Some just want a bog standard cup of coffee, others ‘do’ coffee more and like to try something new. It definitely feels like more and more people are searching out a good cup of coffee and the local interest level for good independent cafés with good coffee is growing.

"Our USP is that we offer the most varieties of coffee in Worthing, possibly in the UK. I haven’t yet found another coffee shop in this country that offers as many brewing methods as us. I want to be able to cater for everybody, so it’s very unique.

"If you want something coffee-related, chances are I can do it.”

Steve moved to the UK in 2007 from Australia, where he had worked his way up through the coffee industry. In 2018 he used his expertise to set up ICON, the Independent Cafe Owners Network which allows local coffee shops and cafés to band together and support each other.

ICON has a loyalty app called Cafe:Connect, allowing customers to collect digital stamps from any of its members, eventually allowing them to claim a free coffee at any ICON venue.

Steve also runs barista training across Sussex and beyond, as well as offering a home barista course. For £50, the latter gives up to three people the chance to visit the shop after it has closed at 3pm and spend two hours playing with the equipment, learning about coffee and creating their own signature blends. A 250g bag of coffee is included.

During my visit, I felt a bit like a kid in a candy shop with an almost infinite amount of coffee concoctions available to me. I absolutely love an oat milk latte, so I asked Steve for a suggestion of something new to me that was similar.

He made me an Aussie flat white, using ristretto (a restricted espresso), steamed milk and micro foam. A little more potent than my normal oat latte, but still really sweet, smooth and delicious. I’m a convert!

I also tried a Sumatran blend long black (one part espresso, two parts hot water). I don’t tend to drink coffee without milk, but I wanted to try it this way for as it felt more authentic. Coming from a volcanic region of Indonesia, the coffee is supposed to have a sweet, almost syrupy flavour and it was surprisingly good. Maybe next time you see me I’ll just be drinking espressos...!

Keen to protect the environment, all Steve’s takeaway coffees are served in The Good Cup vessels, which are compostable and don’t use plastic. The cup folds in on itself to create a seal and spout, so no lid is necessary.

It felt like I got a coffee and an education when I visited. Steve is so passionate about coffee and can tell you anything you want to know, but equally if you just want to grab a coffee and go that’s not a problem.

He said: “I love coffee because it’s a really good cross between science and art. Each coffee has a completely different recipe, and if made correctly they can all taste amazing.”

Project Caffeine, at 85 Chapel Road, Worthing, BN11 1HU, is open from 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm on Saturday. For more information, see https://www.project-caffeine.co.uk/