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Nat Paolone

Male

Toronto

Canada

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista trainer, consultant
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): Saigon, Vietnam
How many years have you been in the industry?: 5
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?: yes
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.: HI, I love everything espresso. I became extremely passionate while working in Sydney Australia for a top roaster, Tobys Estate. I went on a trip to Vietnam in 2007 and never left. I began working privately, coffee consulting/barista training in Vietnam. I then became training manager for a large Italian coffee roaster. I travel throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos barista training, managing staff and so many other variables associated with making great coffee. I speak mostly Vietnamese during my trainings which is essential in this country. The challenges here are many but its great! My passion continues to grow. Espresso is new to Vietnam but the country has a long history of coffee, introduced by the french over a century ago. Vietnamese coffee is quite different as it is usually roasted with many things such as butter, corn, soy beans, cocoa, etc... This has created a coffee culture associating coffee flavour with many other additives. It will be a while before the locals take to espresso but it will come. For now the market is focused on tourists and expats living in Vietnam.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: Every continent
About Me:: I graduated with a degree in Environmental Science and also studied Fitness and Human Nutrition and have worked in these and various other fields. I have lived in Korea, Japan, Italy, Australia, and now Vietnam. Experiencing different cultures is addictive, but definately challenging. Vietnam is my home now and probably will be for a while.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?: Forging passion among baristas
Website:: http://tobysestate.com.au

Comment Wall:

Alun Evans

Gidday Nat. Great to see your work. I am doing similar things in indonesia, although more based on the principles of sustainability and relationship coffees- we roast ourselves. My experience as a Barista is limited!!

Feb 19, 2009
Alun Evans

On a good day, a South Sulawesi Tanah Toraja Arabica is a fantastic coffee. A world beater. Sadly, IMHO, the crop is of this "excellence" level once ever 3-4 years. The rest of the time the coffee is still good, just a little disappointing if you know the cupping characters from the GOOD crop season! See you worked with Tobys Estate, very good coffee... which Italian companyare you rep'ing for now?

Feb 19, 2009
Alun Evans

No connection with Illy whatsoever...I just saw the "Illy" next to "Cheesy"...thought it would make a great snap! They are a competitor of sorts here, I guess Vietnam and Indonesia are probably similar in he fact they love foreign branding.

I did once have opportunity to talk with Dr Ernesto Illy, a few yers before he passed away. I think it would be fair to say e was a real champion to the espresso cause.

Wega, Astoria and San Marino are all put together in the same factory in Susegana. The town is about 45minutes north of Venice up in the foothills. Great spot amongst the vines and the snowy peaks a few miles behind. Been there a couple of times now- saw the old factories where everything was totally handmade. This time they had moved into the new place. Cool, but not quite the same.

Actually I am originally a Kiwi. Out of coffee town, Wellington. The scene down there has changed a lot, I actually think it could be a great time to do something on a small scale downthere ;p.

Feb 20, 2009
Greenway Barista

cool to see you in Vietnam. I traveled there a few years ago and my best friend is there working for a british clothing company. were you in HCMC?

Feb 20, 2009
Greenway Barista

thats kick ass. i miss VN so much since i went there 3 years ago. my friend just got transferred to north vietnam but he still has a room in saigon he is trying to lease out. his company got moved to hanoi in a short term notice. How is the response form vietnamese baristas?

Feb 27, 2009
Greenway Barista

his name is arthur. +841218151411 he speaks english and also viet

Mar 3, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi Nat,

It is great to read your information. I love espresso as well. I normally travels around Hochiminh city to taste the espresso from Illy, Lavaza, Gloria Jeans, Coffee beans & Tea leaf, and so on. It is funny that global companies as GJ & CB&TL act as local company. The espresso quality decreases everyday. I am not professional cupper. However, I try to recall its taste in every cup.

If we have a chance, we can sit some where in HCMC to talk about espresso.

My cell phone: +84908058777.

Apr 22, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi Nat,

I travel to Cambodia, phnom penh every month. I have tried to find a good coffee shop in phnom pend. Until now, it has been no result. If possible, please suggest some stores there.

If you are phnom penh, you should go to a non-starbucks store (a coffee store with starbucks logo). It is on Sihanouk street near the movement. It is quite funny there. I really don't know why starbucks does that. It maybe illegal thought of owner.

Apr 23, 2009
Hung Nguyen

hi Pat,

if possible, please recommend me who sell Cimbali Max Hybrid grinder in Asia or Australia.

thnks in advance

Apr 25, 2009
Hung Nguyen

hi Nat,

Sorry for the mistake,

Honestly, I want to buy this grinder. I read reviews about this one. it gives very good espresso quality. Compak K10 WBC is good one. However, it is more expensive. I already contacted some US suppliers. a problem is that they have 110V only. I contacted a Thai company as well. Until now, I have not received any feedback. if possible, please help me on this.

What do you think about Vibiemme Double Domobar (double boiler)? i will buy it from US supplier. of course, i must use power transformer for it. Vibiemme has very good reviews from espresso geeks. it will put in my office.

elektra, Feama, Nuova Simonell, LM are my favorite brand. I prefer Elektra because of its design and quality of espresso. I think I will have one for my small coffee house.

Apr 26, 2009
Alun Evans

All is good. Off to Singapore today and down to NZ in a couple of weeks to gt Auckland setup. Nice story about the 5 second shot...same here. Either it is 5 seconds or 2 minutes...for 30 mls! Never a feast, always a famine :))

Apr 26, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi Nat,

Thnks so much for suggestions, Giotto Rocket is good machine. I got review from bella UK
http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/bellabarista_detail.asp?ProductID=330

from HB review for ginder Very interested webiste, others such as coffeegeek, toomuchcoffee, and coffeed.

http://www.home-barista.com/reviews/titan-grinder-project-t4126-240.html
http://www.home-barista.com/reviews/titan-grinder-project-t4126-240.html

Very interested review.

about Vibiemme http://www.home-barista.com/vibiemme-domobar-super-review.html

I got some nice from this website and still learn from it.

Apr 27, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi Nat,

I already visited coffee parts website. Their VBM is heat exchanger version. The one from US is double boiler. I am still considering it. The UPS shipment cost from US to VN is VERY VERY expensive USD800. it is crazy shipment cost.

Do you know how much shipment cost from Sidney to VN is?
The package is 70 pounds, its dimension is 27 inches L x 21 inches H x 21 inches W.

Apr 27, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi,

Ooops I forgot very high import tax. I thought that it was 0%. Thks for remind.

the government is not richer. Actually, the leaders and their family are richer.

The Max grinder is USD 900 (excluding transportation cost and tax).
I am not Rockefeller to burn money. I am an espresso geek and want to enjoy the cup. Presently, i save enough money to buy it.

I already had 2 toys espresso machines. It was fine for me in beginning time.

About LM GS3, it is too expensive. I can not afford it. If I am right, Giotto Rocket is higher than Domobar Super (home version).

After you reminded me about the import tax, i must re-consider my budget that is USD2500-3000.

Thks again for the remind.

Apr 27, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi,

we still have not had a chance for a cup of coffee. About coffee training, can you tell me more about this?

Apr 28, 2009
Hung Nguyen

hi,
below is its picture, the Max grinder. Next to it is Elektra A3, my favorite machine. It have very beautiful design and its espresso quality is perfect.

Some people say Elektra is "RR" in espresso machine.

Apr 28, 2009
Ginny Wang

Maybe it's difference from Taiwan . . .

I have three coffee shop , and I use the Synesso , GB5 , lever machine . . . is it good ?
I think , it's funny , and can make the difference coffee favor . . ..
so ,what are you go in for?

I can't understand what u mean of the low-quality . . .every one country have their culture . . .it's seems. . ..

Apr 28, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi Nat,

I already visited 2 coffee shops that you suggested. Zan z Bar is nice place. Their espresso is quite good. However, its quality is not stable.

I have visited several mornings. Some days are good, others are not good. Sometimes, I went there twice a day. it was good in the morning and not good in the afternoon. It tasted sour. Honestly, I am not professional cupper. I try to teach myself how to taste it based on my memory. You know that Hochimih does not have any school to teach people how to taste the coffee. I think you can teach me how to taste the espresso.

About the Kita coffee house, I think i don't want to taste their coffee anymore. If i am right, they use Lavazza coffee like Zanzbar. I don't know why its espresso is not good. I saw they use SN espresso machine. it maybe their barista's skill.

Presenly, espresso of GJ and coffee bean & tea leaf is not good. it tastes dull, bitterness. The crema is weak. I really don't know why. if you knows something, pls share.

May 6, 2009
Ngo Bao Ngoc

Thank mate, I know this website and also long but not registered members, this accidentally looking for some information to know about this website. hope will be many learning experiences from you and the other above :-))

May 22, 2009
Ben Gleeson

Hey Nat,
it's all happening over here.. roasting, cupping, training, practicing etc. All in all, having a great time. When am too expect a visit from the Natsta?

Jun 2, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi Nat,

This weekend, I am travel to Phnom Penh for my business. Pls tell me where I can enjoy the best shot.

Thanks

Jun 28, 2009
Hung Nguyen

Hi Nat,

thanks for suggestions, if possible, please give me the address or show me how to find them.

About Kita, I think you should train them more. I got a cappuccino this morning, its taste was not good.

About ZannBar, their coffee is fine. I have an experience that I should not take a coffee cup in early morning. its taste is terrible. The problem manybe warm-up time. I tried 2 espressos. it was same.

Jun 28, 2009
Ben Gleeson

Hey Natsta, It's time we caught up again. When the hell are you back in Aus man?

Sep 2, 2009