From Paris to Saxmundham: bringing wellness lattes home
On our way to Burgundy for our summer holiday,
we stopped in Paris for a latte… and
ended up discovering a drink we couldn’t
stop talking about…
La Maine Noire’s alternative lattes are made from fresh, organic ingredients, with sugar that binds and caramelises them into rich, rounded flavours
Following three all-consuming months at socialbar, a short break was in order
Meeting friends in Burgundy seemed the perfect opportunity to mix ‘work’ (tasting wines) with some much needed rest and relaxation. Turns out, it wasn’t wine that left an impression on us.
With a few hours to spare before the drive to Burgundy, we dipped into some local shops, then wandered into an independent café in the 11th arrondissement.
La Main Noire reflects a similarly inviting vibe in an industrial setting
Steve, who gravitates toward health-focused beverages, ordered a golden latte. After his first sip, he proclaimed it was the best he’d ever had. Sarah, who doesn’t share his fondness for wellness drinks and is used to Steve’s excitability, gave it a go nonetheless — and wow, even she had to agree. It was real turmeric and ginger, finely shaved so you could taste the actual ingredients, with just the right balance of sweetness.
Steve asked to see the packaging. Not a powder, as is so often the case, but a tub of fragrant, spiced paste. Before he finished his drink, he had already emailed the company. La Main Noire (The Black Hand) is a Paris-based artisanal collective that makes and sells vegan and organic alternative latte pastes through its own café and others across France and Europe.
After spending a few days with good friends cycling through vineyards, tasting wine, cooking with local market produce and lounging by the pool playing board games, we returned to Paris and the La Main Noire café …
The ‘laboratiore’ team with Ryan
We were fortunate enough to meet one of the founders, Ryan Milstein, just before he left for holiday. Given his culinary background - Le Cordon Bleu Paris-trained with Michelin-starred kitchen experience - that background shows.
These pastes deliver genuine wellness benefits without skimping on flavour. Handmade with uniquely fresh, raw ingredients, these exclusive creations seal in flavour while preserving their natural benefits - raw turmeric and ginger, in this instance. They use only organic and mostly vegan produce, sourced over years of working closely with specialist suppliers.
With the Parisian sun on our backs, we sampled La Main Noire’s full alternative latte range, and they did not disappoint.
This autumn and into spring, we’ll introduce new flavours, starting with sticky chai and pumpkin lattes. These aren’t syrup-heavy drinks; they’re rooted in wellness and sustainability, both in taste and ingredients, designed to feel good and taste good. And at the moment (thanks, Brexit?), socialbar is the only UK venue offering them!
Discovered in Paris, exclusively shared in Saxmundham.
A range of alternative lattes at La Main Noire