19 Sep 2025
Standing out in St Albans’ crowded coffee marketplace is a challenge, but the team at Moçai believe they have what it takes. Anisha Kashim visits to find out more…
A new café has arrived in St Albans and it is already bringing something different to the city’s food and drink scene.
Moçai, which has opened on Drovers Way in the same unit as Menspire Academy, is the creation of 26-year-old Christina Tarrant, whose lifelong passion for coffee has found a permanent home.
Christina trained in coffee at 17 and although she explored other careers she always returned to the craft she loved. Many locals may remember her coffee van, which traded under the names Coasting Coffee and Nomad Coffee & Crêpes. She quickly became a familiar face at St Albans City FC matches, weddings, festivals and Hemel Hempstead’s ‘66 Books’ warehouse, where she sold speciality coffee, matcha and crêpes.
A recent trip to Bali gave her the final spark of inspiration. “The cafés there are so vibrant and full of energy,” she says. “They are focused on health, community and creativity, and I knew that was something I wanted to bring back here. St Albans has become my home and I wanted to create a space that reflects that.”
At the heart of Moçai’s menu are its speciality coffee, ceremonial grade matcha and authentic açaí bowls.
Christina is particularly proud of the açaí she serves, which is organic, pure and low in sugar.
“Açaí is a superfruit, packed with antioxidants and nutrients. It is a healthy treat that still feels indulgent,” she explains.
Customers can choose from signature bowls such as Berry Boost, Supercharger and Crunchy Nut, or build their own with a variety of fresh fruits and toppings including cacao nibs, chia seeds, coconut flakes and granola. For me, the Crunchy Nut was the stand-out. It was a delicious combination that felt both wholesome and satisfying.
Alongside the açaí bowls is a drinks menu that caters for every mood. There are refreshing iced teas in flavours like dragon fruit and mango, vibrant coolers such as Sunset Paradise, and shakes including the popular ‘Date Me’ with banana, dates and nut butter.
And then, of course, there is the coffee. I tried the oat flat white and it was excellent. Smooth, well balanced and beautifully poured, it showed just how much Christina’s years of practice and passion for the craft shine through in every cup.
For those who are not coffee drinkers, Moçai’s ceremonial grade matcha is just as impressive.
Christina shares the space with her husband’s Menspire Academy, which has been part of Drovers Way for seven years. She hopes Moçai will add a fresh dimension to the local café scene. “St Albans often feels like you have to travel into London for something different,” she says.
“I wanted to create that here, a place that brings health, creativity and great coffee together. I would also love Moçai to become a space for collaborations with other local businesses.”
Already, Moçai feels like it has the potential to become part of the daily rhythm of St Albans life. It is the kind of spot where commuters could stop in for a carefully made flat white on their way to the station, or where friends might meet for a weekend over açaí bowls and matcha. With its open, welcoming atmosphere, it is easy to imagine it becoming a regular fixture in the routines of local residents.
As a young female entrepreneur Christina is proud to be carving out her own path. She credits her father, who has run several businesses, as an inspiration. “He always showed me that I could be a leader. For women starting out I would say you have to be confident in yourself and trust the value you bring from your experiences. Challenges will come but if you have a good support system you can overcome them.”
Although Moçai has only been open for a short time, Christina says the early response has been encouraging. “It is so rewarding to see people coming in and wanting to try what we are doing. It feels like the hard work is paying off.”
With its combination of high quality coffee, ceremonial matcha and nutritious açaí bowls, Moçai is a welcome new addition to the St Albans café scene. Christina sums up her vision simply.
“This is not just about coffee and food. It is about creating a space that feels healthy, welcoming and full of energy. I want people to feel that Moçai belongs to them, a café that is part of the community.”
Moçai welcomes visitors every day from 8am to 5pm, with opening times subject to change. They also offer 10% off for students and first responders. You can find them at 1 Drovers Way, St Albans, follow their journey and latest offerings on Instagram at @cafemocai, and keep an eye out for their website, coming soon.
