Sustainability – Part 1 The word ‘sustainability’ is a buzz word thrown around these days like it has no meaning, as if it’s a box ticking exercise that large companies have to check off to keep the customers happy. However, it is a very important principle that needs to be appreciated. Why? Because if it […]
Cowboy Coffee The variety of ways to brew coffee at home these days is staggering, and probably confusing, with terms like immersion, draw down, the ‘Scott Rao’ spin and extraction thrown around. In this series we plan to go back to basics and cut the crap to bring you what you need to know about […]
An introduction to coffee origins We roast coffee from all around the world, from the Americas to Africa to Asia. There are so many countries that produce good quality coffee, so why are they all different? In this series we aim to shed some light on the diversity of coffee. We will take you on […]
How do you choose a coffee for your espresso offering in your coffee shop? Dark/light roast? Washed or natural? Blend or single origin? There are so many options it can be confusing, but there is a place for all these types of coffee. Let’s start with what to look for in a ‘House’ espresso. This […]
Coffee is a complex and delicate beast, espresso particularly. To get the best from it, you have to treat it with respect. A full extraction will find the best flavour in most coffees, and temperature is crucial to achieving this- if the brewing water is too hot there will be a risk of over-extraction (bitter, […]
As part of our series of coffee making guides we take a look at the skills behind every great barista. In recent blogs we have taken an in-depth look at the processes behind milk steaming and the techniques involved in creating fabulous Rosetta latte art. In this post we explore a process of tamping and […]
Before you can create those wonderful latte art designs you dream of forming on top of your coffee, you need to steam the milk to create the frothy, creamy texture. In this post we break down the steps involved with milk steaming, pinpointing areas which can negatively impact on how your final drink turns out […]
Welcome to the first in our new series of Barista tips. We’ll be providing step by step guides and useful information on a variety of coffee making techniques to help those new to the Barista world improve and develop their skills and knowledge. In this post we overview how to draw a Rosetta using professional […]
In our previous buying guide we covered choosing the right coffee machine so now it’s time to find the right coffee supplier. This is a dilemma that many a coffee shop owner will face when either starting up, or changing to a new supplier for one reason or another. The big question is, how do […]
Whether you’re thinking of opening up your own coffee shop or simply want to upgrade your existing espresso machine it’s without doubt the single most important piece of equipment you will buy. With that in mind, it’s essential you get a coffee machine that’s a good fit for your business. The problem is there’s such […]