Thought that I should grab a coffee while I'm passing through the city on my way to a long bus ride.
Oh how I love buses. NOT.
Mission: To the closest ATM and then the closest coffee spot. And it really is just a spot. Cremosa. Two people in a little booth. There was no line and just a few people waiting for there morning fix. I ordered a double espresso and they delivered. Quickly. Smooth, velvety taste with a beautiful slight bittersweet. Absolutely delicious.
Bravo! City coffee has come a long way in a short amount of time. I guess it's thanks to all the coffee snobs. Yay Snobs!
All you general public punters don't know how much we snobs have had to suffer through to finally break through and realize our dream. Brilliant coffee available in more than just one cafe.
Now you can sit back in your ignorance and enjoy the fruits of our labors. Thinking to yourself "my coffee tastes better, I wonder why?"
We snobs know why.
Conceder this a gentle pat on the back for a job well protested.
I can still taste my delicious espresso. It's going to be a good day. :)
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sweet black coffee
Turkish coffee!
I made my wife a Turkish coffee. I was was second attempt ever at making that style of coffee and I loved it.
Not Laurene's Favorite way to have a coffee. No milk for a start. And it is a bittersweet taste.
If you have never had Turkish coffee I suggest you give one a try. You might just love it. I would not have it every day, but every now and again it is a nice treat. Although I should specify that I'm talking about Blue Sky's Bulkan Express coffee and not some 3 year old ground coffee from a Turkish supply shop or cafe. Not that I'm pushing Blue Sky but from what I have seen, tasted and heard about some Turkish coffee you might want to double check it's freshness and how it's made before you take the big step.
Ours is fresh and made quite sweet. You could do it at home also with any coffee as long as it's not too strong and ground superfine. Checkout Coffee Geek for a tutorial.
The reason for my new found coffee experience is Blue Sky has just launched it's Turkish style coffee. We had a huge launch and I had to make pots of coffee for Turkish, Greek, Serbian and other eastern european people. It was weird. I am not of their culture and I have very little experience of the culture. So me making them a style of coffee that is so ingrained in their lives was a very random experience.
Another great style is "Sugar Shots"
- Life is way to short for bad coffee.
I made my wife a Turkish coffee. I was was second attempt ever at making that style of coffee and I loved it.
Not Laurene's Favorite way to have a coffee. No milk for a start. And it is a bittersweet taste.
If you have never had Turkish coffee I suggest you give one a try. You might just love it. I would not have it every day, but every now and again it is a nice treat. Although I should specify that I'm talking about Blue Sky's Bulkan Express coffee and not some 3 year old ground coffee from a Turkish supply shop or cafe. Not that I'm pushing Blue Sky but from what I have seen, tasted and heard about some Turkish coffee you might want to double check it's freshness and how it's made before you take the big step.
Ours is fresh and made quite sweet. You could do it at home also with any coffee as long as it's not too strong and ground superfine. Checkout Coffee Geek for a tutorial.
The reason for my new found coffee experience is Blue Sky has just launched it's Turkish style coffee. We had a huge launch and I had to make pots of coffee for Turkish, Greek, Serbian and other eastern european people. It was weird. I am not of their culture and I have very little experience of the culture. So me making them a style of coffee that is so ingrained in their lives was a very random experience.
Another great style is "Sugar Shots"
- Life is way to short for bad coffee.
Belissimo coffee
Firstly I have to say sorry about the long delay in between posts. I have been totally flat out. I have a new position in the company and then when I get a spare second or two I spend it with my girls. Quality time is very precious to me.
A have a few posts that I have started but this one is the freshest and we all know that fresh is best.
This is going to be strange post but I am writing about a place I have not even had coffee at...
Belissimo Coffee near James St markets.
I was there today to get a few cakes to take over to a friends house and I happened to get chat with the owner. We got talking about all things coffee and I got this great feeling about the place. The machines look impressive and well cared for and the coffee smells devine.
Don't get me wrong I will go back for coffee, I had just had a few too many for the day testing out a fe new machines and adjusting grinds etc.
They have a few selective single origins both for sale and for the cup. I was very excited to see several impressive grinders with signs like "PNG", "Columbian" and "Ethiopian". They also have a few house blends so I think it is going to be a few visits so I can taste the rainbow that is their range.
I was honest a said I was in the business and the main thing that impressed me the most was the drive of the man behind the wheel. His focus on educating the customers about good coffee, single origin coffee and just what is a great cup of coffee.
I'll be sure and let you know how my first cup goes. I hope I have not put the cup before the bean on this review. Let me know if you go and how your coffee was.
- Life is way to short for bad coffee.
A have a few posts that I have started but this one is the freshest and we all know that fresh is best.
This is going to be strange post but I am writing about a place I have not even had coffee at...
Belissimo Coffee near James St markets.
I was there today to get a few cakes to take over to a friends house and I happened to get chat with the owner. We got talking about all things coffee and I got this great feeling about the place. The machines look impressive and well cared for and the coffee smells devine.
Don't get me wrong I will go back for coffee, I had just had a few too many for the day testing out a fe new machines and adjusting grinds etc.
They have a few selective single origins both for sale and for the cup. I was very excited to see several impressive grinders with signs like "PNG", "Columbian" and "Ethiopian". They also have a few house blends so I think it is going to be a few visits so I can taste the rainbow that is their range.
I was honest a said I was in the business and the main thing that impressed me the most was the drive of the man behind the wheel. His focus on educating the customers about good coffee, single origin coffee and just what is a great cup of coffee.
I'll be sure and let you know how my first cup goes. I hope I have not put the cup before the bean on this review. Let me know if you go and how your coffee was.
- Life is way to short for bad coffee.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Coffee @ friends
Once you become a coffee snob it becomes increasingly more difficult to go and have a coffee at a friends house.
Its gone from:
"Anyone want a coffee?"
"Yes please!"
To:
" Would you like a coffee Stefan?" asks your gracious host.
"...um ... sure... ... Um... Hmmm... Tea?"
I just don't know what they are offering.
It sucks.
I want to be nice and just grin and bare it, but I have been burnt so many times. I'm just not sure I can go there again. Ok, big deep breaths...
Unless you surround yourself with people who know how much you love coffee. Then they either don't offer for fear of refusal or a micro grimace that flashes across my face. Or they step up and face the challenge head on.
In some way I feel I am improving the condition of coffee wherever I go.
Some of my friends and family are totally onto it.
Some have been into coffee for years and are improving there game on a daily basis. Others are just new to this coffee game and are taking it in both hands and giving it there best shot.
I applaud this effort.
It not hard, really it's not. Don't think that by buying a tin of coffee you are getting the easy alternative. Its not. In fact you are doing yourself damage by consuming something that has already been made once and when you add your hot, nay boiling water to it your are mearly making it again. Ew. Oh and did I mention that they add MORE caffeine to it? Why? Perhaps they should add more taste!
So one cup of instant needs three cups of water straight after it. Two to counter act the added caffeine and one more to wipe the taste from your memory.
Instant coffee has one place in this world, CWA roadside stops.
So do yourself a favour this Christmas, go to the store and buy a plunger. It just as easy as instant. Pour water just off boiling, on coffee... Wait a few seconds... Plunge and pour. See, it's easy!
I defy you to tell me that it is not better.
You deserve a better morning.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Its gone from:
"Anyone want a coffee?"
"Yes please!"
To:
" Would you like a coffee Stefan?" asks your gracious host.
"...um ... sure... ... Um... Hmmm... Tea?"
I just don't know what they are offering.
It sucks.
I want to be nice and just grin and bare it, but I have been burnt so many times. I'm just not sure I can go there again. Ok, big deep breaths...
Unless you surround yourself with people who know how much you love coffee. Then they either don't offer for fear of refusal or a micro grimace that flashes across my face. Or they step up and face the challenge head on.
In some way I feel I am improving the condition of coffee wherever I go.
Some of my friends and family are totally onto it.
Some have been into coffee for years and are improving there game on a daily basis. Others are just new to this coffee game and are taking it in both hands and giving it there best shot.
I applaud this effort.
It not hard, really it's not. Don't think that by buying a tin of coffee you are getting the easy alternative. Its not. In fact you are doing yourself damage by consuming something that has already been made once and when you add your hot, nay boiling water to it your are mearly making it again. Ew. Oh and did I mention that they add MORE caffeine to it? Why? Perhaps they should add more taste!
So one cup of instant needs three cups of water straight after it. Two to counter act the added caffeine and one more to wipe the taste from your memory.
Instant coffee has one place in this world, CWA roadside stops.
So do yourself a favour this Christmas, go to the store and buy a plunger. It just as easy as instant. Pour water just off boiling, on coffee... Wait a few seconds... Plunge and pour. See, it's easy!
I defy you to tell me that it is not better.
You deserve a better morning.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Mad espresso
Sunday in the city and it was time for a coffee.
We stopped at Mad Espresso for a coffee. Woah! It was more like a double ristretto than a double espresso and I'm glad for that. It was like syrup. Thick and dark. Bitey.
Almost, but not quite undrinkable.
Better than some of the other coffees I have had in the city but still not great.
Campos coffee.
Keep trying Brisbane.
We stopped at Mad Espresso for a coffee. Woah! It was more like a double ristretto than a double espresso and I'm glad for that. It was like syrup. Thick and dark. Bitey.
Almost, but not quite undrinkable.
Better than some of the other coffees I have had in the city but still not great.
Campos coffee.
Keep trying Brisbane.
Location:Queen St,Brisbane,Australia
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Eat n runway
Airports.
Waiting.
Lots of waiting.
Why must the coffee suck?
I went to an Expresso outlet thinking it might be ok. I have had coffee there before and I had thought it to be passable. Not this time.
The black bile in a cup handed to me was rancid. The flavour was way too dark to bare and even with my lack of taste due to my cold I had this retched burnt and over-extracted aroma. I guess that is what they mean by writing
"Aromas" on the cup!
And the pastry I bought was like plastic. Luck I don't write a blog about pastries.
So I tipped it out and bought another from Eat and Runway.
It was really nice. Still a little dark but the taste was great.
So there is hope while waiting for your flight.
Just don't expect anything when your in Mackay!
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
Waiting.
Lots of waiting.
Why must the coffee suck?
I went to an Expresso outlet thinking it might be ok. I have had coffee there before and I had thought it to be passable. Not this time.
The black bile in a cup handed to me was rancid. The flavour was way too dark to bare and even with my lack of taste due to my cold I had this retched burnt and over-extracted aroma. I guess that is what they mean by writing
"Aromas" on the cup!
And the pastry I bought was like plastic. Luck I don't write a blog about pastries.
So I tipped it out and bought another from Eat and Runway.
It was really nice. Still a little dark but the taste was great.
So there is hope while waiting for your flight.
Just don't expect anything when your in Mackay!
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
Green Caffeine
green is nice
It has taken me this long to get my hands on some Green Caffeine to taste. I know! I have only been working for the company, what, Three Months!
There are several contributing factors here...
- We only had retail packs for sale and not for testing.
- Bob had his hands full winning "Three" awards at the Golden Bean!
- I'm a lazy bastard.
So thanks for your patience.
Today we ran it solidly at the gate and it came up strong, but not too strong.
Intact it has a pleasant sweet body. It can be a bit bitey at the front but it does promise a nice sweet aftertaste. The customers we gave it too seemed to enjoy the flavour and one even preferred it over the Midnight Oil. Now I personally wouldn't go that far, the Midnight Oil is still my stand out favorite, especially when it is slow pressed for the Athena leva machine.
D Licious!
you can try all of our coffee blends as we now have a coffee rotation. Ebony Ivory is the house blend and the others swap every day.
Mmmm coffee.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It has taken me this long to get my hands on some Green Caffeine to taste. I know! I have only been working for the company, what, Three Months!
There are several contributing factors here...
- We only had retail packs for sale and not for testing.
- Bob had his hands full winning "Three" awards at the Golden Bean!
- I'm a lazy bastard.
So thanks for your patience.
Today we ran it solidly at the gate and it came up strong, but not too strong.
Intact it has a pleasant sweet body. It can be a bit bitey at the front but it does promise a nice sweet aftertaste. The customers we gave it too seemed to enjoy the flavour and one even preferred it over the Midnight Oil. Now I personally wouldn't go that far, the Midnight Oil is still my stand out favorite, especially when it is slow pressed for the Athena leva machine.
D Licious!
you can try all of our coffee blends as we now have a coffee rotation. Ebony Ivory is the house blend and the others swap every day.
Mmmm coffee.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Blue Sky Launch
Finally we are officially launching the company. We have been trading for awhile now and the area knows we are there but in the eyes of the media and bloging community we are but a little baby about to take it's first steps into the world.
We are doing so well.
We won three medals at the the Golden Bean. Not bad for a company that has really only trading for less than two years.
So if you read this in time your more than welcome to drop in and help us celebrate.
4:30 - 7:00
32 Commercial Rd, Newstead
I'll make you a Leva!
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
We are doing so well.
We won three medals at the the Golden Bean. Not bad for a company that has really only trading for less than two years.
So if you read this in time your more than welcome to drop in and help us celebrate.
4:30 - 7:00
32 Commercial Rd, Newstead
I'll make you a Leva!
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
Location:Newstead
Oh Otto
With my machine out of action for awhile I have returned my attention to the Otto that Jasper's gave me when I left.
I had shelved it as a temperamental device that would take me ages to get right. Until I introduced a grinder into the equation. It's great!
Instead of your usual espresso shot it can produce a sort if liquor thick extraction that really packs a punch. Add milk and your in a new coffee sensation.
It's difficult to do two batches one after the other as the whole device get really quite hot. But for one effective coffee before work, the Otto has got what it takes.
Come try one.
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
I had shelved it as a temperamental device that would take me ages to get right. Until I introduced a grinder into the equation. It's great!
Instead of your usual espresso shot it can produce a sort if liquor thick extraction that really packs a punch. Add milk and your in a new coffee sensation.
It's difficult to do two batches one after the other as the whole device get really quite hot. But for one effective coffee before work, the Otto has got what it takes.
Come try one.
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
The Top Shop
Think retro funky.
I imagine myself as a young boy walking half on the hot footpath and half on the prickle filled grass to the Top Shop for a bag filled with lollies.
Flash forward to now. My desires are equally as strong but now coffee is my lure. I want it just as badly.
The Top Shop is a great little place we stumbled upon while exploring Byron Bay. I was still a little drawn but my experience at my brothers wedding and a good coffee would be all the difference between a good journey home or a crap one. We hedged out bets and Laurene went in to order our fixes.
She said that the staff where very lax and the general attitude was that of too cool for school. So the coffee had better be something to rave about. She returns much later with two white Bio Something or other cups filled with the object of our desire...
Wow. The Doppio was brilliant. The flavour was smooth, rich and full of life. A real sensation. I wish it didn't end. In fact it's almost worth driving back there for another.
Laurene loved her Latte also. Smooth and well rounded taste with the right balance of milk and espresso.
So, if your in Byron and you want a treat then I recommend the prickly walk, it's worth the pain.
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
I imagine myself as a young boy walking half on the hot footpath and half on the prickle filled grass to the Top Shop for a bag filled with lollies.
Flash forward to now. My desires are equally as strong but now coffee is my lure. I want it just as badly.
The Top Shop is a great little place we stumbled upon while exploring Byron Bay. I was still a little drawn but my experience at my brothers wedding and a good coffee would be all the difference between a good journey home or a crap one. We hedged out bets and Laurene went in to order our fixes.
She said that the staff where very lax and the general attitude was that of too cool for school. So the coffee had better be something to rave about. She returns much later with two white Bio Something or other cups filled with the object of our desire...
Wow. The Doppio was brilliant. The flavour was smooth, rich and full of life. A real sensation. I wish it didn't end. In fact it's almost worth driving back there for another.
Laurene loved her Latte also. Smooth and well rounded taste with the right balance of milk and espresso.
So, if your in Byron and you want a treat then I recommend the prickly walk, it's worth the pain.
"Life is too short for bad coffee."
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