Published July 20, 2009 by

Coffee almost-art

almostcoffeeart1

Although Melbourne Coffee Review doesn’t think much of coffee art, I am still out to perfect it. There are difficulties with home machines in getting the milk right (ie. hot enough, quickly enough) but this morning I must have done something right, as the picture suggests; should my technique have been slightly better perhaps we would’ve seen the elusive free pour leaf (which is the the one and only goal – until I reach that and find something else I’d like to do).

So to clarify, I don’t work as a barista – although I recently indulged in a course that was fun and taught me a little more than I knew already. I’d rather work as a designer once I finish this last semester of uni, being a barista might possibly be the temporary fall back plan in case I wind up living out in woop-woop (That story to come when I’m allowed to share it) although I’d probably try wedge myself into some kind of photography job if that ever occurs.

Espresso tips:

  • Own a grinder with grind settings… (one day, one day). However the coffee you can make with pre-ground, if you’re careful can be okay, so do proceed.
  • Buy Fairtrade
  • Grind the beans yourself (see the first and last point – I don’t do this and it makes me sad)
  • White dots in the lovely brown crema shouldn’t be there! (see point 1)
  • 30 second extraction for 30mls of espresso (see point 1 – not usually or always possible with pre-ground)

Milk frothing tips:

  • Hot, fast steam wand
  • No noise after the initial, ‘put the wand in the milk’
  • Use a milk thermometer if you have no idea, or your heat tolerance in your hands clearly isn’t high enough (like mine)
  • If you don’t use a thermometer, heat your milk until you can’t touch the jug and maybe give it a tiny bit extra
  • If you can smell your milk you’ve burnt it
  • Sit the wand just under the surface at the top of the milk and NOT so it bubbles
  • Do not freaking wave the jug up and down, it should just sit there.
  • Milk should be smooth and silky and not have air bubbles

Coffee Uni Work

Published November 22, 2008 by

Bodum, Hahndorf, Doncaster

coffeecup1Since our honeymoon, back in January, Geoff and I have been casually searching for these round double layer bodum latte glasses. We were first introduced to them at Hahndorf Hill Winery after an exceptional meal and probably the best wine I’ve ever tasted (White Mischief), so the appeal is part memory, part design lust.

Yesterday I finally found them at Wheel & Barrow, after I braved the new Doncaster Westfield. They were tad pricey but a little too pretty to resist.

The verdict on the glasses is good, the verdict on Doncaster is that it’s far too showy and self important. I’d only return for the paper shop, the rest is somewhat ridiculous and I didn’t enjoy the experience.

Coffee Culture Holidays

Coffee shopping wine

Published November 7, 2008 by

Keeping the quality coffee dream alive

It appears the Melbourne Coffee review is stalking my favourite coffee joints. After the review of Piccolo Esspresso, my uni spot, I didn’t really expect to see something so familiar so soon. But the Home Barista Institute is my work spot, which they reviewed today and it’s probably in my top three. I don’t get there too often as it’s a bit of a walk, but they make great pumpkin boccocini and spinach foccacias and their coffee is grand, plus, they play the Amelie soundtrack, have a pleasant outlook and decent magazines. Now all the Review must do, is hike out to Croydon mainstreet and visit the Kofi Bean… or perhaps all the way up the mountain to Belgrave for Earthly Pleasures.

Coffee

home barista institute I heart coffee melbourne coffee review

Published October 4, 2008 by

Concentration and benefit

modern-artistsLast night Geoff mentioned that today perhaps we’d go get that camera I’ve been wanting for about a year and half (probably more) and my mind did the usual flip out about the cost. So we’ll see where the afternoon takes us as I force to recall to mind the small freelancing jobs that I’ve done that can contribute to lessening the wallet dent. It’s far too exciting. I would however like someone to explain Nikon lenses to me in great detail because I have a funny feeling that a kit lens won’t cut it forever.

There’s also the issue of distraction. I’m really good at the whole distraction thing and I’m hoping after the 4 or 5 episodes of Gilmore Girls last night that I’ve worked screen related procrastination out of my system. A camera would be a distraction.

As it goes, yesterday I put in a mammoth effort and completed my 2D animation rotoscope related brief and worked out that there are quite literally millons of ways you can put 3 very similar, relatively boring rotoscoped work together. It’s kind of quirky, I’m sure there are areas I could improve on and I’m really sick of listening to the ragtime soundtrack but it’s done and it’s something out of the way that is due on Thursday (and worth 50% of the subject).

What occupies my mind at present and is suffering from distraction is a group assignment for Managing Design – it’s a proposal based on the Future Melbourne project. I am doing the bulk of the actual writing (tasks divided up according to strengths) and we have a presentation on the draft on Tuesday. The problem is not in writing, but in sitting down for long enough to concentrate the words out of me.

The best technique thus far is taking the mac to a cafe and isolating myself from the internet. But as I’m still in my pyjama’s, that’s probably not the best option right at this moment.

Back to it.

image source

Coffee Culture Design Life Photography Uni

camera future melbourne homework nikon d90 procrastination proposal Uni

Published September 17, 2008 by

Junky cars and coffee messages

I came across Message in Hand today… the full website launches on the 18th but I am eternally getting the time difference between Australia and the US mixed up so lets just go with: soon.

The basic idea is that social justice messages/charities make themselves known on coffee sleeves (Those cardboard things around your cup that attempt to prevent burnage). The sleeves are a conversation starter, hence (hopefully) evoking change.

Now I love the idea, but to be situationally honest, the beautiful cafe culture of Melbourne, (Which is fine indeed), mightn’t be the best of venues for the application. Our Starbucks are closing by the dozen, Gloria Jeans do their own charity work and the majority of our ‘non-chain’, (Becuase we believe in non-chain coffee) cafe’s use cups that actually do the job already… or, you sit down and get a real glass with your latte.

That saying. HQ could use some help, although they may not want to cover up their delusional character filled labels. They could also use some help in the brewing department but that’s an entirely different story.

Regardless of the fact that I think the idea mightn’t float so well in this city of mine, I do like the concept and I may yet suggest it to my semi local ‘Kofi Bean’ because they would probably get behind something like this.

Also check out Junky Car Club. Get yourself out of debt, buy your car outright. We did. AND we only own one car between the two of us, it’s quite doable. Save the planet at the same time as your consumeristic butt.

Coffee Culture Social Justice