Amidst the scorching heat, many are drawn to the ice cream vendors lining Orchard Road. However, for those with a preference for something other than sweet frozen treats, keep an eye out for a mobile coffee cart making its rounds.
Recently introduced in March, Calibrate Coffee offers trendy artisanal coffee from a modified motorcycle sidecar that travels around – ideal for a revitalizing dose of caffeine on a hot day. Here’s a glimpse into how it operates.
Calibrate Coffee was established by Huang Wei Jie, a 29-year-old entrepreneur who juggles his coffee business alongside a full-time role as a social worker. Holding a degree in social work from NUS, Huang acquired his coffee-making skills six years ago during his part-time stint as a barista at the now-closed Prodigal Cafe.
Managing a side business while working full-time presents challenges, as Huang acknowledges, stating, “It’s not easy, but I’m learning to prioritize and delegate to build this team. We’re taking things slow for now.” During busy periods, he receives assistance from his wife and a friend.
When asked about his unique choice of selling coffee from a motorcycle, Huang explained, “I have a passion for motorcycles, coffee, and adventures. Combining these passions allows me to bring specialty coffee to the community.” Prior to launching his business, he had been an avid biker for approximately six years.
He emphasized that the core motivation behind his business is to make quality coffee easily accessible to everyone. Additionally, he noted that operating from a motorcycle sidecar comes with lower capital costs compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar setup. However, Wei Jie pointed out that obtaining a special license to sell coffee from a sidecar was a lengthy process, requiring three years to secure approval from the authorities.
In addition to the licensing process, he must also seek permission from property owners to park his bike at specific locations. Wei Jie strategically chooses areas with decent foot traffic and a welcoming atmosphere, where people can gather and enjoy their coffee comfortably.
HIS MOTORCYCLE SIDECAR COST HIM S$30,000
Huang invested approximately S$30,000 in purchasing and customizing his motorcycle sidecar, a collaborative effort with design studios Bare Metal Co. and Two Wheel Project. The all-silver bike features a compact workspace housing his Italy-imported La Marzocco espresso maker, which came at an additional cost of S$9,000, along with a branded parasol displaying the Calibrate logo to provide shade for his setup.
His business concept draws inspiration from the beloved local ice cream uncles. Reflecting on this childhood nostalgia, Huang shared, “I think every Singaporean kid loves to see the ice cream uncles – growing up in Singapore, that was a common thing.”
While his bike sidecar may resemble a more upscale version of the traditional ice cream uncle’s cart, Huang doesn’t view himself as the ‘cooler version’ of the classic ice cream seller. With a hint of humor, he remarked, “No lah, it’s different. I’m just building on the legacy that the ice cream uncles have built.”
BEANS FROM HUMBLE ORIGINS COFFEE ROASTERS
While Huang has plans to introduce a variety of coffee beans from different cafes in the future, he presently sources beans from Humble Origins Coffee Roasters. These beans are imported from the Shan Hills in Myanmar, a choice made by Huang to show support for producers in Myanmar amid the current political challenges faced by the country.
The signature blend used by Huang combines Naturals (dry processed beans) from Ga Naing Yar Village, Washed (wet processed beans) from Moe Htet, and Honey processed beans from the female-led Amayar Women Coffee Producer Group, all sourced through Humble Origins Coffee Roasters.
THE MENU
During its soft launch phase, Calibrate Coffee offers a simple yet enticing six-beverage menu. Choices include black or white coffee (S$5 hot, S$6 iced), choc (S$5 hot, S$6 iced), mocha (S$5.50 hot, S$6.50 iced), matcha (S$5.50 hot, S$6.50 iced), and dirty matcha (S$6.50 hot, S$7.50 iced). Customers also have the option to add oat milk for an additional S$1.
Huang notes that the iced white coffee has been the best-selling drink since the launch, but he personally recommends the iced black coffee for its ability to highlight the unique characteristics of the coffee bean.
