Introduction
Autumn in Vancouver carries a shift in the air - cooler mornings, slower afternoons, and a noticeable change in light. Flowers like chrysanthemum and cosmos show up quietly during this time, marking the season with a quiet resilience.
Flowers add textures to the landscape and serving as a reminder that seasonal change isn’t just about temperature - it’s about tone. In that sense, flowers and coffee have something in common. Both carry a palette that deepens in autumn - amber colour, soft browns, muted reds - and both remind people to slow down.
This workshop is designed as a simple way to notice the season. The goal isn’t to prescribe but to create a setting where people can observe the details - what’s in season, how something smells, the textures, and the taste of coffee. It’s a quiet experience, grounded in what we call yeoyu (여유): A daily reminder to make space and savour ordinary moments.
Autumn Flowers
Autumn is often associated with falling leaves and the winding down of nature. But some flowers choose this time to bloom - and do so with quiet strength.
- Chrysanthemums: A classic fall flower across cultures, chrysanthemums bloom in direct response to shorter days. In Korea, they carry a sense of reverence. In Vancouver, they’re everywhere from gardens to markets. Depending on where you are, they can mean longevity, grief, or quiet resilience.
- Cosmos: Light and airy, cosmos grow wild in Korean countryside roads and in Vancouver’s community plots. They show up just as summer fades - unfussy, almost weightless, but always present.
- Dahlias: Known as the “Queen of the Autumn Garden,” dahlias bloom until the first frost. They hold their shape boldly but never feel loud. They symbolize inner strength and quiet confidence.
Flowers carry stories. Their meaning shifts depending on the culture, the colour, the moment. A white chrysanthemum might suggest mourning in one place and loyalty in another. Even the same flower can feel different depending on its tone - soft in blush, grounded in amber, reflective in purple.
There’s a specific feeling when you see someone on the street holding flowers. For a moment, everything else fades - the destination, the backstory, the weather - and what’s left is the gesture. A quiet act of care. Proof that beauty doesn’t need context to matter.
Floral Notes in Coffee
When people talk about a “floral note” in coffee, they’re describing something subtle and tea-like - usually in the aroma. Think jasmine, orange blossom, rose. It’s not loud or obvious. It pulls you in, then disappears. A sensory flicker.
These notes aren’t just poetic - they’re real, and incredibly delicate. They form during the growing, processing, and roasting stages, but can be easily lost. A little too much heat, too much time, or the wrong grind, and they’re gone.
To notice them, you need a bit of intention. Just like with flowers, the aroma of coffee is often the first thing you sense - and sometimes the most powerful. The Yeoyu dripper was designed to make space for that. Its form allows aroma to linger a little longer, so people can slow down and actually register what they’re smelling.
Outro
As part of Fall 2025 – 꽃 (Cote), we’ve created a quiet, intentional space for noticing. We hope you enjoy autumn and let the season leave its mark.
Cadine
This fall, we're partnering with Cadine - a multidisciplinary lifestyle brand and boutique on Cambie Street. The space brings together small-batch goods, natural materials, and floral arrangements that change with the seasons.
Cadine is the kind of place where you can find something made to last - a hand-thrown cup, a wool scarf - and then walk out with a bouquet to be enjoyed in the present. That contrast is part of the charm. Their shop doesn't try to rush to the moment. It offers things you're meant to take your time with.
We're glad to be hosting our second seasonal gathering in their space. It feels like the right setting for what we're trying to do: make room for what's here, now.
Serif Coffee
We’re once again partnering with Serif Coffee, an upcoming micro-roastery. Their discipline and precision, paired with intentional quality control, make them a natural fit for us. Together, we’ve prepared a delicate coffee for our fall workshop Cote.
Serif Coffee will be opening soon at 324-8188 Manitoba St, Vancouver.