Cafe Shuga is now open at the Solaire Social food hall in downtown Silver Spring, featuring African single-origin coffee, unique specialty drinks, and bold teas.
The coffee bar from Shuga x Ice owner Ndidiamaka Agu will showcase a “Drip of the Week,” highlighting coffee from different African countries on a rotating schedule. The initial selections will feature Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, with future offerings from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Those who want a quick iced coffee to go can also purchase cold-brew coffee sourced from the West African Farmer’s Initiative (WAFI) in Cameroon and Liberia. Guests can enjoy oat and almond milk as alternative options, while Peak Milk, a popular West African brand, will be available for an extra charge.
In addition to the coffee offerings, the menu will include four specialty drinks that highlight the diversity and richness of African flavors, featuring unique ingredients sourced directly from the continent.
Moringa, a nutrient-rich superfood known as the ‘African Matcha,’ will be featured in a loose-leaf tea and a Vanilla Moringa Latte, which combines moringa powder with vanilla syrup and steamed milk.
Other offerings include the Mint Baobab Paloma, made with baobab syrup, grapefruit soda, and fresh mint, and the Honey Sesame Ginger Latte, featuring honey sesame candy, ginger, and steamed milk. The Milo Mocha adds a modern twist to the classic mocha with a rich chocolate ganache made from Milo, a malted chocolate powder popular in Africa since its launch in Nigeria in 1960.
Cafe Shuga’s menu also offers Moroccan Mint tea, decaf Americanos, and Milo Hot Chocolate, which are available upon request.
“I am excited to launch Cafe Shuga and bring another unique experience to the DC area,” said owner Ndidiamaka Agu. “Our mission at both of our concepts is to capture the spirit of Africa in every offering by presenting modern takes on African culinary traditions. With this launch, we’re ushering in a new era of coffee culture, filled with exciting flavors and intentional hospitality.
“Our motto, ‘Brewed to Overflow,’ draws inspiration from a part of Psalm 23:5, which says “my cup runneth over.” It reflects a spirit of abundance and embodies our passion for not only showcasing the incredible flavors and ingredients from the content, but also for creating experiences that go beyond satisfaction, filling every moment with joy, meaningful connection, and generosity. We strive to offer more than just food and drink; we aim to nurture purposeful relationships and build a community that is enriched together. I’m so proud of the menu we’ve created, and we can’t wait for the public to experience everything we’ve been working on – and so much more to come!”
Cafe Shuga is open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday at Solaire Social, located at 8200 Dixon Ave. in downtown Silver Spring. Parking is available at the Bonifant-Dixon Garage.
Photo: © Nomad_Soul – stock.adobe.com