SAUNTERING through summery Spinningfields you may chance on a new coffee van on the block, going under the monicker of Couch, Grind, Coffee.
It’s the pop-up face of Sale Sharks rugby union star David Seymour’s nascent wholesale and retail coffee business as he seeks to grind out a new career after 13 professional years at the club, including a stint as captain.
Flanker Seymour, at 32 remarkably unmarked by all that scrumming and rucking, tells ToM: “Two of my biggest passions in life are rugby and coffee. I have been working with one of the country’s best coffee roasters to develop my signature blend, No.7, taking its name from my position on the rugby pitch. I have also added two more blends, to my range, the No.10 (100% Arabica) and the No.13 (100% Colombian).
You’ll get the chance to sample all three over the next three months, the pop-up’s tenure.
]Here are Seymour’s own tasting notes:
Signature Blend No 7: Clean and fruity acidity compliments a medium body. Malt and nut profiles present from Brazil and El Salvador, with Kenya bringing bright citrus notes. 10% Robusta draws depth and body. A well balanced blend.
Blend No 10: A complex balance of Arabica coffee from around the world including Indonesia, East Africa and Central America. It has well-rounded, malty sweetness and notes of toasted almonds complemented by bright fruity acidity. Good body and smooth throughout with a prolonged milk chocolate finish.
Blend 13: It’s 100% Colombian Huila,rich and smooth, notes of dark chocolate, blackcurrant and citrus peel. Full bodied with a clean sweet finish, with milk caramel sweetness develops.
Just 12 more blends for a complete rugby team. The plan is to sell to restaurants, bars and hotels. The public can buy it from his website.
The odd name of the business. David explains: "When you have a scrum in rugby, there's a phrase which describes techniques used called 'crouch bind set’. When I told my girlfriend the name might be Crouch Bind Coffee, she thought I'd said Couch Grind Coffee, so we just went with that as it was the subtle link I wanted and has a relaxing feel to it."