Category: Coffee General

coffee general

Who Are European Baristas at Berlin World Coffee Championship 2019

Posted on by Barista

Over a hundred competitors will show their skills across four different competitions at the 2019 Berlin World Coffee Championships from June 6-8. Berlin will be brimming with coffee professionals and fans, as the World Latte Art Championship, World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship, World Cup Tasters Championship, and Cezve/Ibrik come to the Messe Expo center on the city’s west side.

As usual, most baristas represent European countries and below is a complete overview of 67 competitors we will see on the world’s stages in all four categories. In case you can’t be present in Berlin, you can watch the Livestream online.

World Latte Art Championship 2019

Irvine Quek Siew Lhek from Malaysia, the 2018 World Latte Art Champion, will pass a title to one of the 41 competitors (20 baristas from Europe).

World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship 2019

Dan Fellows, the 2018 World Coffee in Good Spirits, will either keep the trophy or pass it to the new champion. Among the challengers, you can find Agnieszka Rojewska, World Barista Champion 2018, or Manos Mamakis, twice Runner Up (2017 & 2018) of this category. There are 23 competitors, 14 coming from Europe.

World Cup Tasters Championship 2019

Yama Kim from Australia, the 2018 World Cup Tasters Champion, will pass the title to one of the 46 competitors (25 baristas from Europe).

Cezve/lbrik Championship 2019

Slava Babych from Ukraine, the 2018 Cezve/Ibrik Champion, will pass the title to one of 9 competitors (8 from European countries).

 

The post Who Are European Baristas at Berlin World Coffee Championship 2019 appeared first on European Coffee Trip.

 

Interesting Folklore That Revolve Around Coffee

Posted on by Barista

Folklores are often given the tone of fantasy and myths that are the only stuff that people imagined. Over time, these got codified in stories and have been passed on through generations. However, myths and folklore are a little more than just fantasy. They come from our culture and tradition and is very deep-rooted.

There are multiple folklores that revolve around coffee. All of this might sound a little spooky but why should you not enjoy them. Talking about coffee legends and folklore on a cold wintry night, over a cup of coffee; what can be more perfect than this scenario? You just got the idea of a perfect sleepover with friends! Find out more about coffee folklores here:

Folklore #1

The most pervasive of myths about coffee that has been carried on for years is the one about Kaldi who is said to be the one who discovered coffee. Belonging from Ethiopia, Kaldi was a goatherd who cared greatly about his goats and took them out grazing one day. It is said that the goats ate the berries from a tree and started behaving ecstatically. Kaldi tried to eat some of these fruits and after feeling energetic, began dancing with the goats.

All of this was seen by a monk who brought some of these berries to the monastery. The monks found out that these berries could keep them up during those long prayer hours. This is how humans came upon the gift of coffee.

Folklore #2

The second folklore is not so much of myth but more of a practice that Oromo people do. These people are native to Ethiopia who would plant a coffee tree on the graves on sorcerers who yield great magical powers. It is the belief of the people of the Oromo people that the first coffee sprouts from the grave are produced from the tears that gods shed over the death of a sorcerer. Such myths speak a lot about the place of its origin and the thing around which it revolves.

It is not a surprise that Ethiopian coffee is so famous worldwide. There is also a folk story that coffee in Ethiopia grows in the wild. In fact, you can even find a type of coffee which is known as forest coffee that hails from Ethiopia. This kind of coffee, as the myth goes, is said to grow wildly and is then collected by the locals. While this is a bit hard to believe, we cannot ignore the importance of the growth of these folklores. The fact that they managed to survive until today, says something about their origin.

Whatever folklore you choose to believe in, coffee still tastes the same. Be it Kaldi who brought coffee to mankind or some other person, we are all just thankful that coffee exists. Moreover, today, various regions across the world produce their own type of special coffee. For instance, there is Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, Cuban coffee, Sumatra coffee, Brazilian coffee, etc.

 

Barista Stories: Martin Wölfl of Balthasar

Posted on by Barista

Martin Wölfl of Balthasar Kaffeebar, Vienna

Martin Wölfl is 27-year-old barista originally from Lower Austria who works as a barista at Balthasar Kaffeebar in Vienna. Martin jumped into the coffee industry two years ago after having his eye-opening cup of coffee a year prior. Martin placed 3rd at Austrian Brewers Cup 2019 and we are excited to share his story today!

Barista Stories are made possible by Puqpress

Martin, what is your first memory with coffee?

3 years ago I was visiting a specialty coffee shop for the first time because I wanted to try something completely new. So, I ordered a filter-coffee. I can exactly remember the moment when I had my first sip. It was a taste I had never experienced before. I wanted to find out more about it so I bought a grinder, a V60 and a bag of coffee and went back home. This was the moment when everything started!

Could you describe the moment or situation that made you decide to become a barista?

After this visit, I started reading books about coffee, visited cuppings and workshops and went deeper and deeper into the science of coffee. Once my girlfriend asked me why I didn’t entertain the idea of becoming a professional barista. After this conversation, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

What is the funniest thing that you have experienced behind the bar?

On a busy morning shift, I was pulling shots when a lady came up to me and asked if I could have a look at her baby for a second. Lost in thoughts, I agreed. Before I could actually realize what that meant for me, the lady had already left and the baby was staring at me as scared as I was. I was praying that the baby wouldn’t start crying. Luckily everything went fine and we had a good time together. By the way, her mom also came back!

If a career in coffee was not an option, what job would you be doing

Tricky question. I was studying economics and already had worked in marketing and event management. I think I would do something like that because I like to release new projects and ideas and work on them till everything is up to 100%.

Do you have an unusual habit or hobby that you love?

Not unusual but I love playing the drums. I started 16 years ago and haven’t stopped since then. I enjoy playing concerts with my band and also with different classical orchestras. What fulfills me the most is, that I can work as a drum teacher too and share my knowledge and passion with the students. It never gets boring with kids and loud drums!

Rumpelstilz. Photo by Ferdinand Svoboda

What is your piece of advice for anybody starting a career as a barista?

My advice would be that nothing is impossible, just follow your passion! If you love what you do, you are getting better on the go.

What qualities set a good and a great barista apart?

In my opinion, a great barista creates a relaxed, comfortable and welcome atmosphere for every customer and has to be open for a talk, even when it is a busy day. At the same time, a great barista has to work clean and produce coffee in high quality at any time. To combine these things is the biggest challenge when you are working behind the bar.

What helps you to handle a bad day at the cafe and to provide good customer service?

Every challenge gets easier if you have a great team and boss on whom you can rely on. So if someone in our team has a bad day, we can talk it out and leave the troubles behind. We guys have great fun in what we are doing and support each other in the best way possible.

What is the one thing that you would miss the most if you could not work as a barista anymore?

I think it’s the social aspect. You are meeting so many interesting people from all over the world who are sharing their stories with you when you are working behind the bar. And as a barista you have the chance to awake the passion for coffee in your customers and introduce them to the world of coffee, this is one of the most rewarding moments as a barista for me.

  • Photo by Nicky Webb
  • Photo by Aleksandr Sukonkin

Quick Fire Question for Martin Wölfl

Would you serve filter coffee with milk, if asked for it?

Yes, but would give the advice to try it first without 😉

Do you ever take sugar with your coffee?

No

Espresso or Filter coffee?

Filter

Do you aim for Sweetness, Acidity, or Body?

Sweetness

Milky or Black?

Black

Slurp or Spit?

Slurp

Sit in or Take Away?

Sit in

Cake or Pastry with your coffee?

Just coffee, thanks!

What is the wifi password at your cafe?

Balthasar38

 

The post Barista Stories: Martin Wölfl of Balthasar Kaffeebar, Vienna appeared first on European Coffee Trip.

 

Would You Like To Serve Better Flavored Coffee In Your House

Posted on by Barista

Serve Better tasting Espresso at your residence without purchasing a brand new Coffee laptop

It Would take longer time so that you can prep your drink examine than the usage of prepared to brew pods or pill, but when you are a real caffeine lover who wish to strengthen your day by day drink expertise, then this machine is in fact lucrative. Would you like to serve Better tasting Coffee in your house without purchasing a brand new Coffee machine? Which You Could result in it to happen by way of employing a good Coffee bean grinder. It has shell that helps storing its oil and scent for a relatively very long time. Many standard factories retailer the beans for even up to Eight years as a result of they think this system can augment the flavour and scent while also in the reduction of the acidic stage. In Guatemala and El Salvador you will have to seek for beans grown within the mountains or high areas. Gourmand Espresso from the Dominican Republic is wealthy with an even astringency. These have a tendency to have one of the best physique and a gentle flavour. Those from El Salvador have a tendency to have a medium level of astringency whereas These from Guatemala have the next acid amount with a piquant, hazy attribute. You Can Too switch prepared grounds to a Espresso pot or espresso group is fast and clean, because the grind chamber slides out with its clever lid in effect to make this the most efficient of Espresso bean grinders.

Cuisinart DCG-12BC Grind Critical Coffee Bean Grinder

This smooth desktop operates at low heat to maintain flavour and odor, and may handle a gigantic ninety grams of beans directly, enough for eighteen cups. It grinds spices also. Which You Could buy a roaster for roughly $A Hundred And Fifty and some people even use various other learn how to roast Coffee beans at dwelling like in the stove, in a pan or using an air popcorn popper. It Is a cutting-edge computing device from its security shutoff to its chrome steel blade to its wraparound power wire, the grinder gives its modern look to any kitchen surface. Best some of the air poppers are GOOD ENOUGH for use as a Coffee bean roaster. Take and look down into the barrel of the machine, it’s a must to see the recent air enters the chamber from side vents and not from a grate in the bottom.

Coffee beans can have more inconsistencies in flavour and style endowments

Chaff may just amass on the base of the popping container and could present a fireplace hazard.. ‘Strictly Gentle’ ( SS ) beans are grown at altitudes lower than 4 thousand toes. These beans mature fast and produce a much less dense, lighter bean. The coffees from these beans can have extra inconsistencies in flavour and taste endowments. As An Example, SS Arabica beans have a slightly more ’rounded Flavor’ compared to the extra flavorsome and dense HG or SHB Arabica beans grown at better elevations.

Fair Trade Coffee

Posted on by Barista

Starbucks now deals Honest Alternate Coffee

Coffee used to be neatly, simply plain Coffee. Chances Are You’ll order it with cream and/or sugar and that was almost about the scale of the factors to imagine. Given the prevailing rate of global temperature rises, Tundra can’t be far in the back of. Now, the difference of phrases bandied about is unending: organic Coffee, connoisseur Espresso roasters who use only connoisseur Coffee beans, darkish roast Espresso, French roast, and Arabica beans. Even higher the figures are rising fast. When Wal-Mart turns into a consumer, that you may make certain the impact on tiny Coffee farmers in Relevant and South The USA, East Africa, and the East shall be necessary. Lately, Wal-Mart commented that it could start providing Fair Alternate Coffee thru its Sam’s Membership shops. But whilst you pay that small additional, you’re going to be making an incredible distinction to the lives of Espresso farmers and their families and communities.

Competition in Truthful Change Coffee shouldn’t be a big yet

This has a tendency to occur when diverse other co-operatives are managing the promoting and buying and they’ve their very own insurance policies for the way a lot the farmer must get. On Occasion, the farmer may get less expensive price re their product than the program demands. Now Truthful Alternate Espresso, as well as different products, remains a certain section market and the degrees of Competition in Truthful Exchange Coffee remains to be no longer as sizeable as conventional investing, then again the program is definitely rising quickly which usually will lower the ticket on Coffee to the buyer. The program remains to be In Truth no longer perfect and sure it In Truth has a long way option to go making it cheap for probably the most impoverished in the Fair Exchange program on this tough dealing trade. If You Want to improve any such plan you’ve still acquired to pay for larger price in comparison with standard Coffee buying and selling.
This program is reasonably fresh and simple, However, will have to be modified to adapt to the complexness of world investing. There was once simply an excessive amount of supply to be had out there. As there was once additionally no regulation on the provision, Coffee flooded the market but the demand wasn’t excessive. Sooner Or Later, in 1988 in the Netherlands, the Honest Trade authentication commenced. As an outcome, the prices in the world market for Espresso dropped significantly. To Position it in easy terms, Honest Exchange Coffee is firmly buying from farmers their cherished Coffee beans for the standard or minimum charge of $1.26 for each pound of uncooked Espresso beans got.

While we take every precaution not to buy clothing made in sweatshops, the identical must follow to Truthful Exchange Espresso

There are several companies which make their workers work in nasty prerequisites. In Truth there are a couple of farmers who are the owners of little plantations and companies buy their inventory at highly low charges, leaving the farmers in poverty. Whereas we take each precaution not to buy apparel made in sweatshops, the same will have to apply within the experience of what can announce as, sweatshops in the field also. Right Here is where it can be of assistance to you in buying the perfect product which has been produced below the ultimate stipulations and which complies with their documentation course of.

What Differentiates These Grades From One Another?

Posted on by Barista

Would you like to serve better flavored espresso in your house with out purchasing a brand new coffee computing device? It Might take longer time for you to ready your drink examine than the use of prepared to brew pods or capsule, however if you are a real caffeine lover who want to reinforce your day by day drink experience, then this computer is actually lucrative. It has shell that helps storing its oil and odour for a somewhat very long time. The tightly-guarded secret behind toothsome espresso drinks is began within the bean. With its easy-to-read LCD show displaying the time, fineness and collection of cups you be sure that each grind is right matched towards average espresso bean grinders. The eighteen place conical burr grinder grinds the espresso beans regularly while maintaining their natural flavours and oils, and routinely stops grinding after the correct amount has been floor. It then packs away tidily with the handy rope storage and scoop / cleansing brush.
It Is Usually price checking out the patron comments in regards to the merchandise within Amazon’s product pages, for more person and personal remarks on the espresso bean grinders. What differentiates these grades from every different? ‘Excessive Grown’ ( HG ), ‘Exhausting Bean’ ( HB ) or ‘Strictly Exhausting Bean’ ( SHB ) grades discuss with coffee grown at altitudes about 4 thousand to five thousand feet above sea level. Normally, HG and HB mountainside espresso is shade grown, specially chosen, chemical free or organic and is considered speciality coffee. High grown beans generally tend to have consistent style endowments which make them extra fascinating and costlier than other coffees from lower elevations. Panama beans are cited for being full-bodied with a light flavour and a sharpened astringency. Another house that has received a full bodied coffee which is loaded in flavour has an awesome smell and a touch acidic style is Mexico. The Blue Mountain gourmet beans are considered high of the line coffee beans with their full body, moderate astringency and easy mellow flavour.
The Kona beans have a bit hint of spice and sweetness with a full body a wealthy flavour. I Get it house and expect to have this nice tasting sturdy espresso simplest to have a taking into account cup of off coffee. I Am sure that if I Buy this espresso once more it will be online right from the coffee growers and farms in Hawaii. I could pay around $30 a pound and shipping for the golf green beans or the roasted beans but the espresso shall be fresh. The coffee you buy in a retailer may be a years previous for all you understand and these 2 components may make or destroy the standard and flavour of espresso.