Heather Evans Editorial

I sit here contentedly writing in my new flat, surrounded by my two beautiful housemates on our circular table. A wholesome scene, one would say, with Maroon 5’s ‘Songs About Jane’ playing in the background as we sit with full stomachs after demolishing a brunch and finishing a teapot of French Earl Grey. My spider plant is stretching its grown limbs around my laptop screen and the room is filled with the smell of our bookshelf and natural light. If I don’t look outside at the grey, dreary sky, I can almost forget about my freezing toes and the fear of leaving this idyllic setting for milk from our local shop or for the beginning of the working week.

Yes, the above paragraph is a bit dramatic and a bit rose-tinted. However, there is no hiding the fact that I am no winter fairy. Autumn? Give me burning orange leaves, a little red nose from country walks and cute bobble hats all day long, but as soon as those clocks go back and the leaves hit the floor that’s when I turn into a little hedgehog and retreat for a warm shelter until spring.

On a more serious tone, I do find that the dark mornings and evenings affect my mood significantly. Everything seems harder – waking up, being motivated to work, pulling myself to social events – and I struggle with the idea that as soon as I get home at 4:30pm the day feels over. Yet, I am trying to get myself out and about through Christmas shopping and going to new places in Oxford, and I know the one thing that always makes me feel better is going for long walks. As you can see from the photo I chose for this post, I am blessed to live near the canal and the natural beauty that is Port Meadow so I have enjoyed a few wrapped up rambles.

The other thing that always makes me feel better in the winter is simple: hot chocolate. Hot chocolate, in my eyes, is the winner in any winter warmer contest and absolutely essential to surviving the colder months. It’s the cosiest hug in a mug. The sweetest taste on one’s lips. But, additional to approaching winter with my usual distaste, I have been especially anxious as this is my first winter being vegan. Will my craving be satisfied with a plant-based alternative? Can hot chocolate be substituted or replicated? If not, how can I possibly go on? Is there an genuine option for human hibernation?

Whenever I go for my long walks, I want to have a hot chocolate to thaw my bones from the country chill with a book in hand. I could go home and make myself one, tucking myself under a blanket on the sofa. But, I don’t want to. I know thyself. If I go inside, I will never muster the courage to take on the cold, outside world again. The day, for Heather, will be over.

Therefore, instead of accepting defeat to the wintery winds, I have recently taken the city of Oxford by storm by hunting for the best hot chocolate there is to find. I thought this was also a good way to share some of my favourite spots for a cuppa in the centre, so I hope this helps anyone else on the quest for the perfect chocolately beverage.

1st Place –  The Jam Factory

Rating: 10/10

If you have never been to the Jam Factory, you need to get yourself there right away. Located right near the train station, it is a food and drink hub as well as being an art centre, hosting comedy nights, cinema showings and life drawing classes. The vibe is chilled and contemporary, and now to add to this impressive set of qualities it has the best hot chocolate in town.

Imagine this scene: it’s Friday, I am working from home and what is on my laptop screen can only be described as a horror show. The inbox is obscene. The work is mounting. It’s all going wrong, and I am not feeling anything slightly similar to a Friday feeling. I need that hit of a hot chocolate as if I am 12th place in Mario Kart and I need Bullet Bill to get to the end of the day. Expecting its impending arrival, I smell it before I see it and my pupils turn into love hearts. I opted to have oat milk in it, my personal favourite, but the Jam Factory has all the alternative milks possible, such as coconut and soya. It smells decadent and delightful, and as soon as it hits my lips I feel instantly better. It was sweet without being sickly; it had the right ratio to froth to liquid; and, most importantly, it wasn’t watery. I think it genuinely changed my life and all my low expectations I had of vegan hot chocolate drifted away. The bar had been raised and I knew from that moment that I wasn’t going to waste away this winter.

2nd Place: Georgina’s, The Covered Market

Rating: 8/10

I discovered this hidden gem in the Covered Market only yesterday and felt compelled to write this post after going. As a side point, the Covered Market is looking beautifully festive right now and it was for the first time since I have lived in Oxford that it felt alive. The independent shops in there are definitely worth a gander for present ideas, and the food and drink on offer from independent sellers are incomparable to the high street.

Needing a much needed boost after a terribly exciting time in Blackwells, my friend and I headed to the Covered Market on the prowl for food. We saw the sign for Georgina’s slightly hidden to the side of a busy aisle and decided to take the staircase upstairs in hope for refuge away from the Christmas chaos below. It can get very busy in there but we managed to find a table, and I felt like we had taken the stairway to heaven. The food was incredible, with the menu including moussaka, falafel wraps and hot mezze plates, and the bohemian, relaxed vibe was exactly what we needed. And, the hot chocolate was spot on. It was thick, sweet and super chocolately, with a  strong array of alternative milks. The only reason I would put it below the Jam Factory is that the froth was lacking, but I would definitely go again without hesitation.

3rd Place: Organic Deli

Rating 7/10

Organic Deli is also another discovery of mine in the past few weeks and I think it’s going to become one of my favourite cafes in Oxford. Tucked down a side street pass the White Rabbit, it prides itself on being super environmentally friendly with its wide variety of amazing cakes and drinks, and I will be as bold to say that it probably has the best brunch menu in Oxford. Also, you can go there and stock your cupboard with some special and essential vegan goodies often not found in supermarkets, and you can even bring you own container to restock on washing detergent and liquid. It is unpretentious and wholesome and I would recommend it to everyone.

I also spent a Friday afternoon working at Organic Deli and knew I needed the energy that only a hot chocolate could provide. I ordered it with oat milk and set up my work station upstairs, waiting in anticipation. It was delivered in a solid mug which I particularly prefer, oozing with froth down the sides. I think I shot myself in the foot with this specific chocolate bev as I also ordered a brownie, which was gooey and incredibly luxurious, so I found the hot chocolate to sweet to finish entirely. However, the brownie was everything I needed and more, and I reckon if I ditched the brownie and opted for soya milk it would have been more achievable. It was thick and the froth was totally worth it, so I can only mark it down due to not finishing it!

4th Place:  Queen’s Lane

Rating: 5/10

Last and, I guess, least is Queen’s Lane Cafe. I feel I don’t need to provide a huge introduction to this quintessential Oxford establishment, so I won’t. Yet, I went here last week with my housemates ahead of Alice Oswald’s inaugural lecture in Examination Schools, and we needed the boost to keep us going. The nice thing about Queen’s Lane is that you can opt for white, milk or dark hot chocolate, which is great for those who like the choice. However, in comparison to the amazing hot chocolates I had tried from The Jam Factory, Georgina’s and Organic Deli, it fell a little bit short. It was more watery than the others so the consistency was thinner, and I do like a teeny bit of froth which was non-existent. It was an inoffense bev, but it just didn’t give me the hug that the others previously did.

Obviously, this list is not exhaustive and I have heard great things about other hot chocolates from different cafes, such as the George Street Social. However, I would say I have quite a sophiscated palate when it comes to all matters involving hot chocolate so do try them out! Also, all of the cafes mentioned are independent and lovely. Especially during the Christmas period I urge you to go and support local businesses, no matter whether you choose a hot chocolate or another winter warmer.

Love,

Hev xo