A certain quality. . .

Some pain has a certain quality (as opposed to quantity) that seems to cut through creative capacity like nothing else that I have experienced. Today was the first day that I have felt well enough to actually be productive. I managed to accomplish a number of tasks at work that urgently needed attending, and later I was able to actively work on some thoughts about coffee that I will be sharing over the weekend.

Its been an interesting month in many ways and I and glad to be finally able to sit for more than a few minutes at a time.

I've also missed good coffee and this weekend I'll be making some extra efforts to get my palate back in tune and also roast a few new beans, including an old favourite - Ethiopian Yirgacheff.

I'm glad to be upright, even though I don't exactly feel like going for a jog (yeah right - if I EVER feel like going for a jog you'll know my mind has snapped!).

I do however feel like writing again and that brings back a significant part of my daily enjoyment.

It's time to get up off the mat. . .

Friday Night Music

This is one of those versions of Vivaldi where the sound quality seems to defy the outdoor environment making one suspect a dubber at work. . .

Is 'partnership' code for 'sold'?

Well known Sydney boutique coffee Roaster Toby's Estate has entered into what they describe as a 'partnership' with trans-Tasman company Cerebos Foods .

Cerebos is a large manufacturer with a wide range of well known Australian and New Zealand brands under their domain including:

• Caffe L'affare (NZ);
  
• Atomic (NZ);
  
• Robert Harris;
  
• Mocopan;
  
• Gravox;
  
• Saxa; and of course, 
  
• Riva
  

I'm of two minds about the partnership - it is good for Toby's that they have found a way to grow, but I worry that quality might at some point become the victim of of cost controls within a larger organisational structure.

Toby Smith has been creative and innovative and for the present will remain at the helm of the roastery - but the last quote of their press release gives concern.

"What’s especially appealing about working with Cerebos is their great track record of partnering with innovative coffee companies and helping them grow to reach their full potential. Our agreement means I will continue to manage the business and all staff and management will remain while we work to identify new opportunities." (my emphasis).

The "will remain while" is not the language of continuity or partnership in a press release but of transition. Sad if 'tis so.

Chatting about this earlier with Kamran Nowduschani of Fiori we speculated on whether we are about to see a business similarity with the wine industry where many innovative and high quality producers were gradually consumed by the large corporates. The increasing number of smaller specialty coffee roasters has been a boon to the Australian coffee palate and although sustainability of many small operators is always a concern, it would be disappointing to see coffee roasting contract rather than expand as a small business.

We shall have to wait to see the outcomes and hope that Cerebos value quality over brand recognition.

Further information also at: Hospitality Magazine

Friday Night Music

Bobby McFerrin.

Twice.

The man's amazing.

The first theme is layered track - as will be obvious when you hear it.

Here we go

So among other things (like not writing) I've had no coffee for a little over a week and tomorrow I will be warming up the machine and see out a cup goes down.

Unfortunately I don't have anything inspiring in a grinder, only a roast I did three weeks back which I hope has not aged too much - although Mrs Grendel seems to be enjoying it.

It is a PNG Suavee and I worry that I missed it at its best, but the surgery I had left me little desire for coffee.

I've had a rough week - recovery was not quite as smooth as expected and nearly saw me return to hospital on Tuesday, but the addition of another drug gave me a lift almost immediately (a stomach acid inhibitor) which meant that I could reverse the dehydration and sip other foods.

Today I sort-of, but not quite, felt like a coffee and I figure tomorrow is much more likely.

The surgery I had was in two parts - gastric banding, and a repair job the surgeon spotted once he had me open. Its good to have it fixed I suppose, but definitely not comfortable.

In the short term I am restricted in what I can eat - but coffee is on the menu and I am going to be buying some nice greens to roast as the evenings grow cooler.

Shortly (in March) I will be roasting some Kopi Luwak - a delicate task given the value of the beans to be roasted and I want to do a few roasts in advance to make sure my hand is back in the game.

For now I'll have to see how the first post-op coffee goes!

Still Ow

If it seems as if it has been a little quiet - damn right it has.

I'm still recovering from surgery and the last few days have been less fun - today is the first day I have actually managed to get out of bed for more than a few minutes at a time.

I've also had no coffee for a week - appalling really but I just haven't been able to drink much other than water.

I've pretty much just had water for the last 6 days but today had soup - yay! I am looking forward to that first coffee now.

Friday Night Music

Hi-ho Silver! Away!

Ow! And Yay!

I'm going to keep this post short and get to the gruesome details some other time. I've just had a little stomach surgery (hence the 'Ow!') but returned home to find the Premiere Issue of BeanScene magazine - with my article published within it Yay! Ow. Yay. Ow. Yay!

The magazine looks terrific and the Editor, Steve Agi, and all those who contributed to the article and the Layout have done a great job. A great addition to the specialty coffee scene and one that I would encourage all cafe owners to buy for themselves and stock for their customers.

Latte in the Laneways Kopi Luwak Fundraiser

In March, Latte in the Laneways, a Perth City celebration of life in our lanes, will see Kopi Luwak served in Perth as part of a Fiori Coffee Appreciation course at Cafe Entendre in Shafto Lane.

Usually Kopi Luwak would be out of most people’s price range to try; often retailing at up to $50 a cup, so this will be an opportunity for people to try this rare treat. The coffee will be roasted by moi, and I think I want to have extra roasting setups on hand because this is one expensive roast I really don't want to stuff up.

Generously, Fiori are donating all proceeds from the day to support the Autism Association’s Early Intervention Centre, which delivers services to children with Autism and their families. So if you love coffee and want to learn to appreciate coffee to its fullest then this is the course for you. Kam and Louise from Fiori will also offer tastings of other specialty coffees from around the world.

The fundraiser will be held at Cafe Entendre in Shafto Lane on 21st March 2009 at 10am.

Bookings are essential. Cost is $30.00 per person. Call 0412 223 614 to secure your place.

Please. . .

I've been watching the unfolding tragedy in Victoria and don't really feel like making much comment on coffee during such a terrible time, so please, if you want to help, the Victorian Government and the Red Cross have established a trust fund to collect donations.

Click HERE to donate

Shuffle

Ahhh the iPod - a masterpiece of design, finally uniting form and function. Usable, affordable, portable and apparently - machine washable.

My first iPod Shuffle was one of the 512mb white, plastic devices with the lanyard. It went through the wash, then the dryer a couple of winters ago and never really recovered.

The new model Shuffle that replaced it was much more stylish - a brushed silver case with neat clip that was far better than a lanyard for everyday use. It fitted neatly into my shirt pocket where it would spend the day, spinning out dulcet tones whenever my inner Grendel needed quieting.

Unfortunately it too went through the wash - on Wednesday after I left it in the shirt pocket. Its sleek profile and virtually feather-weight unnoticed.

Mrs Grendel retrieved it for me and placed it in the sun. When I got home I put it in a translucent plastic container in the laundry where the afternoon sun would create a dry and cosy de-humidicrib in a desperate attempt to save it.

Today I plugged it back in to find that the battery recharged, songs could be loaded and best of all - it played.

The beauty of the Shuffle is that it is such simple technology that it is hard to kill - sure I've killed one, but now I have gone from a 100% failure rate in iPod recovery to a 50% success rate (I'm a glass-half-full guy). 

None of the Shuffles that I have bought have cost me too much. I buy them using Apple's 'Refurbished' program, iPods returned under warranty that are later repaired, repackaged and resold.

This one cost me around $45 - a fair saving off the current retail of $65. I bought an older model shuffle for the Junior Grendels for $25 and they use it every night to play music through a small set of computer speakers to go to sleep.

I am relieved to have mine back even though the replacement cost is not too bad, but given the size and mass of these (around 15 grams) I imagine that the occasional trip through the washing machine in not unknown.

If this happens to you, my best advice is do not turn it on, do not attempt to charge it, place it somewhere mildly warm and quite dry and wait three days. On the third day attempt a resurrection.

You may be lucky.

Friday Night Music

Miroslav Tadic, Lian Ensemble, Djivan Gasparyan and Swapan Chaudhuri during the recording of the album 'Pangea'.

Djivan Gasparyan, master duduk player is a favourite and there is no instrument that better represents the landscape and the people of its origin.

Half-forgotten pleasures

My new job means that I get to work a little earlier that I used to. I'm also not drinking any milk at present. These to factors have combined to alter my morning coffee routine considerably.

I now stop, before sunrise, at Pranzo in West Perth and have two shots of espresso. While I love a good thick ristretto I had almost forgotten that espresso has its own subtle charms and the complexity of flavours that I am rediscovering is wonderful.

It is almost like the difference between Bach (espresso) and Beethoven (ristretto). Both are equally enjoyable, but it is refreshing to alternate between the two.

Introducing the AASCA Detpak 2009 Australian Barista Champion

Congratulations to all the baristas who competed at such a high standard, but there can be only one:

Tim Adams (Queensland)

I am sure you will represent Australia well in Atlanta. (Thank Em for the heads up on the ACTUAL location. . .)

Congratulations also to Zoe Delany who came in 2nd, and Con Haralambopoulos for his great efforts and 3rd place.

A great competition and the sponsorship efforts seem to grow each year. Congratulations to AASCA for their efforts in organising the regional and national competition.

Introducing the Australian Cup Tasting Champion for 2009

Ben Bicknell of Five Senses Coffee - we have a second Australian Cupping champion from WA!

Congratulations to Ben for a perfect 8 from 8.

It was a close race with Luca Costanzo coming in with 7/8 for second followed by Brian Raslan for 3rd.

Introducing the Australian 'Coffee in Good Spirits' champion for 2009

Kirby Berlin!

Scotty Callaghan in 2nd Place with David Seng in 3rd.

Introducing the Australian Latte Art Champion for 2009

Erin Sampson from Victoria!

Congratulations Erin - do us proud in Atlanta.

Photo updates from the Barista Championships

We interrupt this broadcast. . .

We interrupt our broadcast of the ABC's to bring you this special announcement from the BeeBeeSee (click on images to enlarge):













These images were taken in my back yard this morning as the bees rejoiced at the herb flavoured nectar on the basil and oregano flowers. They were so besotted with the flowers that I was able to get the lens of the camera right to the inner limit of the 10mm focal length.

Getting Smashed

The 'Coffee in Good Spirits' event is about to commence - and according to Rob Forsythe "we're going to get smashed".

All very well for them - no alcohol allowed for me at the moment. Its probably just as well that I am not at the Gold Coast.

There also appears to be a little dancing going on behind the competitors. . .


Hmmmm they just mentioned a 'beer and coffee' I wonder if there is a market for my alcohol laced 'Spiced Beer Sauce'?

2009 Detpak Australian Barista Championship - Final Rounds

The final events are about to commence in the 2009 Detpak Australian Barista Championships as well as the Cup Tasting and Good Spirits events.

The Webcast via GunBarista is back online and I'll bump it up here so you don't have to scroll through the posts to find it: