On Coffee Blogging

When I commenced writing about my subjective coffee experience I had no idea of just how interesting life would become as a result of writing about coffee.

I am now immersed in another world - a caffeine fuelled subculture as complex as any sociologist could desire. Me - I'm in it for the coffee!

The interest in coffee - and writing about it all happened at the same time that Junior Grendel Number One was diagnosed with autism. We like many families, received services from the Autism Association of WA and it was probably inevitable that the two should interact.

I deliberately have kept coffee as a hobby, I like my work and don't wish for my hobby to intrude (too much) on my workplace, and keeping my coffee blogging in the 'hobby' sphere has also been a good thing. It turns out that life is not that simple and now I see an amazing tapestry that weaves through my life with people from work, family, organisations and businesses all linked through my coffee hobby.

This has been an amazing experience and when we started fundraising for the Autism association the response from the coffee community was the most generous that I have ever seen. As a parent that makes me immensely grateful, as a coffee lover that makes me very proud.

Lately I have not been getting out to many cafes - I don't eat much at the moment so I tend to skip most of the morning treats I used to indulge in. I am finding however that I miss the people in those cafes and I miss writing about the experience that can be had in Perth's best coffee venue.

I'm going to make an extra effort to get back out there and see what is on offer - I can't promise my writing will improve much, but I'll work on it.

I do find that I want to write a blog at the most inconvenient moments - usually while sitting in a cafe with nothing to hand but an already used paper napkin and more than one blog post has been sketched out around a smear of jam.

I've not managed to attach to myself the enviable technological blogging aids that I have seen in the hands of others. I have 'borrowed' Junior Grendel Number One's laptop on more than one occasion when I knew that I'd be visiting a venue I wanted to cover in depth.

Tonight I saw a competition for a laptop and it is a good one - pretty much what any blogger could dream of - however I think I am going have to work on my creativity a bit to win it. The competition is based on skill, not luck, which is good since it inevitably should promote people's creative juices.

I'm struggling tonight though! Perhaps if I opened that bottle of port and alternated that with shots of espresso. . .

Great with coffee!

Recently I discovered that a local store stock walnuts. I've never been a big fan of walnuts finding them too bitter and with a slightly rancid oil flavour.

It turns out this was not too far off the mark, walnut oil, like many light vegetable oils does go rancid and sadly many of the walnuts that I have tried previously have been imported from California and of unknown vintage.

The local shop has Tasmanian walnuts and I thought I would try them as a way of increasing my intake of omega-3.

Wow - really really different.

These are bigger and sweeter than the import with a nice level of traditional walnutty bitterness but none of the rancid oil notes. We did a blind taste test between the Tasmanian and Californian walnuts to see if it was a parochial bias, but there was a clear difference for everyone who tried them - the 'fresh is best' rule holds true.

They also go really really well with coffee - not a pairing I would have considered but since the walnuts are on my desk at work I've been eating them when I have my morning plunger.

Every so often you'll get a nut just a bit sweeter than some of the others and hit a hint of maple flavour that makes me think of pecans. Keep an eye out for the Tassie nuts, they are superb.

Footy

Well the Grendels went to the football - two of us at least. Junior Grendel Number One stayed true to form and needed to leave earlier than originally planned - the lights and the noise were a bit too intense, but both the Junior Grendels want to attend the next game on 12 July.

Fortunately I am now an adept at negotiating the tickemaster site and managed 3 tickets for the next Eagles home game against St Kilda.

Results!

Go to coffeesnobs! Andy is over in Cologne sending photos and comments. See it all here!





I'm still trying to figure out what all the acronyms mean since they don't seem directly to link with each competition's title - but these are the results as I 'think' they have been given:

Cezve/Ibrik Competition 2009

1st Christina Koumpouni of Greece

Rob Forsyth of Australia came in at number 9.



World Latte Art

1st, Peter Hernou of Belgium

and Erin Sampson of Australia came in 3rd place



Coffee in Good Spirits



Cuptasting

Oh Yeah!

Live streaming of the championships is available - I'm probably the last to post this anywhere but then it was Junior Grendel Number One's night out with Dad!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gun-barista-challenge

Friday Night Music

I don't know why I like this one, but I do.

Perhaps because it has nothing whatsoever to do with the person who's premature death has caused such an irrational media frenzy.

Sad yes - for his family, same as anyone. Enough already with the celebrity grieving!

Abstract of the Day

Antioxidant Properties of Coffee Brews in Relation to the Roasting Degree

Abstract:

"The antioxidant properties of coffee were studied in relation to roasting degree. In particular, the extent of the chain-breaking activity and oxygen scavenging properties of Maillard reaction products contained in coffee brews were evaluated. Samples showed very high chain-breaking and oxygen consumption activities, which did not increase linearly with increasing roasting degree. In our experimental conditions, the highest antioxidant properties were found for the medium-dark roasted coffee brews."

Cologne World Championships

From Friday the world coffee championships continue, this time in Cologne. Cupping, Latte Art, Ibrik, Good Spirits and photography all together at the one event - should be huge and from what I understand 'alles in ordnung' with instructions already online for competitors.

Friday 26th June
SCAE WORLD LATTE ART CHAMPIONSHIPS
10.00 h onwards

Saturday 27th June
SCAE WORLD COFFEE IN GOOD SPIRITS CHAMPIONSHIPS
12.00 h onwards

SCAE WORLD CEZVE IBRIK CHAMPIONSHIP heats
17.00 h – 18.00 h

Sunday 28th June
SCAE WORLD CUP TASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
10.00 h onwards

For more information see the SCAE website

My Farmboy

Well it is in the blood - may've skipped a generation or so. . .

Home Roasting Basics - the Popper

Popcorn poppers are by far the simplest method of home roasting - cheap, quick and effective, although they do not allow much control over the roast profile.

Home Roasting on a Rainy Day

I did a series of roasts today and videoed the efforts as a practice run for a proper little movie I want to make a little later. It's very brief and a bit rough but you'll get the idea.

Also GOT to remember to adjust the white balance outside. . .

The beans were rather small lots - around 300g each which is about half of what I would normally roast in a batch. I wanted to see how the roast profile changed for different beans with the mass change.

I also realised that the greater bean mass means less beans flung from the pan by the paddle - 600 grams really does seem to be the optimum for this roasting method.

Friday Night Music

Ahh Holst.

I swear the Star Wars theme sounds like John Williams mined themes from Gustav's Planets.

(and in fact just moment after writing that line I Googled "Star Wars theme Gustav Holst" and found this line in Wikipedia " While several obvious nods to Gustav Holst, William Walton and Igor Stravinsky exist in the score to Episode IV, Williams relied less and less on classical references in the latter five scores, incorporating more strains of modernist orchestral writing with each progressive score." So I guess the similarities are not coincidental)



And to add to the speculation - Here is a comparison between the themes for King's Row (in 1941 by Erich Korngold) and Star Wars (in 1977 by John Williams):

Great news on the barista comp front

I attended the 2010 Barista Championship planning meeting this evening (hosted by Dimattina coffee) and it was a great night.

There is a very positive mood around the 2010 WA Barista Championships and Matt from Abstract Gourmet has volunteered to take a lead role in organising this year's event.

Pending confirmation from ASCAA it looks as if November with be the month for the championships - an exact date will be announced shortly.

There will also be plenty of opportunities foe baristas to learn and practice as three coffee companies have volunteered venues for this - again I won't preempt too much at this point but there is plenty of goodwill across the industry to ensure that the 2010 follows in the fine tradition that has been set for barista competition in this state over the last few years.

There may also be a number of Barista Jams programmed in the lead up to the championships to encourage participation and hone skills.

Judges are also needed and if you are keen, nominate now so that you can be kept up to date with the unfolding and access training that may be available.

Homeopathic plutonium? Now there's a hot time in the old town tonight! : Respectful Insolence

Homeopathic plutonium? Now there's a hot time in the old town tonight! : Respectful Insolence

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The Age of Coffee

There is a great story in the entertainment section of The Age this morning by Gordon Farrer that follows his journey into stovetop/moka pot coffee.

He hits all the high points, talks to a range of people and includes their views - including Andy from Coffeesnobs.

I think it is one of the best coffee articles in the mainstream press that I have read for many years and I have to agree that the best coffee is the one made the way you like it.

I have struggled with the Moka pot more than any other method of preparing coffee and just can't seem to break into a good method - that said I haven't tried for a while and own four or five different varieties so I shall make further attempts to improve on my efforts.

Going to the Footy

Junior Grendel Number One and I are going to the Footy! Successfully negotiating my way through ticketmaster I managed to grab two tickets behind the goal area for the next Golden Eagles game - he will be stoked!

The Golden Eagles

Being a parent is always entertaining - and challenging. Being a parent of a child with autism is doubly so, in both respects.

Junior Grendel Number One had a quite common (for boys with autism) fixation on Thomas the Tank Engine, more recently it has been all things army (he still insists he will be joining the army).

This weekend he suddenly decided that he wanted to go to a football game to see the team he calls "The Golden Eagles" (the West Coast Eagles). He has called them this since we passed their home field once on the way home from therapy and saw the great blue and gold eagle on the stadium.

Every time he sees a license plate from an Eagle's supporter he lets us know.

As a former Queenslander I am still somewhat in awe of the passion in which West Aussies take to their game and their teams. I have been to one game - a Derby to which I won tickets through Mix 94.5 FM years ago. I took my Father-in-Law to that game but have not been to one since.

We had a look for tickets and poor Junior Grendel Number One was in tears when I could find none available - but then I realised that the tickets for the next home game do not go on sale until tomorrow at 9.00 am.

I'll be hovering over the keyboard to try and get something (anything!) with a view that a 7-year old can see.

I'm kinda excited myself as we haven't really done much like this together before - so wish me luck with the booking system, I have a feeling I am going to need it!

Junior Grendel Number Two had been vocalising his desire to come along but was swayed by the promise of junk food and a movie with Mrs Grendel. Should be a fun night for all!

Sunday Cappuccino at Cafe Grendel

Sorry about the portafilter handle blocking the shot - still learning with the camera!

Friday Night Music

We were shown this one during the week on our course and it is one that is almost as old as I am - so here it is, the Mahnamahna song!




And this one is new - but destined to be a 'classic"!

Reminder - 2010 WA Barista Champiomship, planning meeting

Next week on Thursday June 18 at Dimattina Coffee at 19 Collingwood Street Osbourne Park.

Start Time 6pm

Study week

This week is my final week of study (for the moment) and once the final assessments are concluded I'll be able to take a break from that for a bit. It has been a busy week - I'm heading in to work at about 6am to get a few things done then racing straight off to campus.

I've not been getting coffee on the way instead I roasted a special blend, acquired two plungers and a grinder have have been making pots and pots of fresh coffee - it is quite popular and they seem to be enjoying the change from the nasty stuff on offer from the caterers.

Its pretty easy really - why haven't the caterers figured this out yet?

Coffee we can believe in!

Mucking around with photoshop today - I had an idea (not very well executed yet) for a poster to promote the 2010 WA Barista Championships.

I hereby throw it on the pile of ill-considered art!

Click image to embiggen!



Which is of course a play on this recent political campaign:

My Favourite Bee Picture

Friday Night Music

I've been listening to this soundtrack on the drive into work this week. It is dark and powerful and perfectly fitted to the mood of the film. The track is "Like a Dog Chasing Cars" from Dark Knight.

Your ABC

Inspired by tonight's edition of Spicks and Specks I am going to occasionally translate a Perth Cafe's menu into Japanese then back into English using Google Translator.

Your goal is to figure out which cafe's menu I have translated.

Tonight to start I'll use an easy cafe, very well known in Perth - for the example I have used their 'mission statement' from the back of the menu:

As for the espresso of epic the judge where the Australasian special coffee combination which is compilation of the diamond of Corey is regarded. As for the espresso of epic it is not privilege and, it is owned individually, and operates. The mission description book of the espresso of epic is simple: In order to increase the coffee of the espresso to artistic form.

The coffee of the epic which makes philosophy very scientific, has been based on the extraction theory of the espresso and the training of horizontal barista of the elite in year of research.

Epic uses the coffee machine of Synesso. As for these it is the craftsman machine which was made by the hand which for the coffee specialist of level of the elite you can do at small number.

In addition as for us Italy the conical notched crusher of Mazzer Robur which is produced is used; In order to transfer the highest perfume to each glass, you designed.

Our baristas everything completed the proof program of itself Barista of epic successfully. Being this centralization, the strict training program refines technology, advances the knowledge of the espresso. Are trained, put in place the staff who in level of Barista championship of the world is rivaled systematically with the competition of Barista.

These baristas operation all Saturday of the espresso of the company internal school epic of Barista of the place of the coffee craftsman of the espresso of the `are not to lie. The school of Barista offers the study meeting of essential principle of the espresso and technical skill training of the art of high-level Latte both.

These study meetings are restricted by small number, are promoted by Vuanesa Moore of the head of the school of champion me cancer/gun Aguero of the art of 2006 WA Latte and Barista. As for study meeting both opens in the beginner and the specialist. As for detail and reservation of study meeting it is possible to make with the communication of Vuanesa.

If I get around to giving it some more thought I may even try finding a prize for the next (and harder!) cafe.

The Bees of June

Same bloody bees as February I reckon!

Still pretty though - look at the pollen loading on the legs (click image to enlarge).

Foundations

Today in Western Australia we have a public holiday. The holiday is 'Foundation Day' and while I almost wish it were a day to celebrate Isaac Asimov's 'magnum opus' future history series, it is in fact the day that remembers the founding on the Colony of Western Australia in 1829.

This makes WA and Perth 180 years old so happy centioctogintennial everyone!

Of course once they got the business of founding the colony over with it was time for a coffee. Unfortunately they had to wait another 23 long years before coffee was roasted in the city as the first roaster commenced his trade here in 1852.

Meanwhile the local Noongar people experience the full force of European 'civilization' which seems to have left a substantial impact. The charitable might suggest that the behaviour of the early settlers towards the Aboriginal people was because they had no-coffee crabbiness, but I suspect that attitudes and policy both played a role in some of the conflicts that followed.

However, both the Settlers and Noongar people survived and today we have a vibrant and (generally) tolerant society that is worth celebrating.

So happy Foundation Day - and support your local Perth rosters!