March 2009 Blog Posts (55)

Search Blog Posts

Leaving Home Machine on too long

I have a Rancilio Silvia home machine and I left it (not the steaming wand) on all day accidentally. 11 hours or so. Now when I try to pull a shot the water runs through the grind way too fast. Any suggestions?

Added by Scot McKnight on March 31, 2009 at 5:47pm — 3 Comments

'Uncommon Grounds' author visits Seattle next week, starts writing second edition with updates on Starbucks, Fair Trade, Vietnam

Anyone have ideas for the second edition, and who Mark Pendergrast should visit in Seattle?


http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/coffee/2009/03/31/post.html

Added by Melissa Allison on March 31, 2009 at 2:40pm — 2 Comments

Our Milwaukee

Posted by: Carrie Gapinski



We all know that supporting our local Milwaukee businesses is important, and it's great to know that there are organizations out there that encourage the public to celebrate our community's unique character by choosing local.



Our Milwaukee is a business alliance that advocates for locally owned businesses the goal of the organization is to build market share for Milwaukee's independent businesses by increasing awareness about the personal and… Continue

Added by Stone Creek Coffee Roasters on March 31, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

Elections and Tea in West Java, Indonesia

As the hundreds of motorbikes reved their engine in noisy unison, I inwardly rejoiced at the fact that elections in Indonesia only happen every five years. In 1999 I was in Yogyakarta to experience my first Indonesian Election. Day after day the streets were clogged with motorbikes, each having ha its muffler removed in order to alert anyone who ws unware that election season was upon the nation. The riders wore their favorite parties colors- yellow… Continue

Added by Alun Evans on March 30, 2009 at 5:43pm — 1 Comment

Northwest Foodservice Show

I spent some time down in Portland at the NWFS this weekend. Kind of a slow show but it did have some high points. On the way down Saturday, we stopped by a customer of ours - Siena Wine Bistro & Coffee House. They are a very cool coffee and wine bar that just opened in Lacey on 6th Ave.



Schuyler (the owner) has a Clover machine in there and serves Batdorf & Bronson. Great cup and really friendly staff!



Then while at the show, we were lucky to be right next to Greg… Continue

Added by Mike Spence on March 30, 2009 at 4:48pm — No Comments

mersk cargo shipping container

Well we got our 38,000 lbs of green coffee today. The offload went pretty well, fortunatly lots of our baristas came over from the cafe to help. I'll post some pictures if anyone took any I think we got a couple.



Now begins the exciting and ardous task of sample roasting and cupping to figure out how we're going to roast the Santa ana blend. It's different this year since it's a fermented wash instead of semi washed aka pulp natural. Also we got some shg natural, which I'm excited… Continue

Added by John Cunningham on March 30, 2009 at 11:08am — No Comments

A Spiritual Rule in Espresso

Musings on the Parable of the Coffee Shop

The parts to a good espresso:

Roasting, Blending and Grinding

The first thing needed in preparing good espresso is a…

Continue

Added by Chris Hooton on March 29, 2009 at 7:32pm — No Comments

South East Debut: A Perfect Cappuccino

Hey, everyone. Just posting now to let readers know about an important happening the night before the SCAA Conference gets under way. In Athens, GA, we'll be debuting a new film from director Amy Ferraris, called A Perfect Cappuccino. The film examines American consumer culture and starbucks' chain store business model. Hopefully, we'll all learn something.



Come out on 4/14 to take in the quirky town that is Athens before retiring to the hustle and bustle of Atlanta for the… Continue

Added by Zechariah White on March 29, 2009 at 1:51pm — No Comments

My Near-Death Experience

I've worked in the same coffee shop for two years, and wondered when that mysterious barista-in-disguise would come to my shop. They would quietly critique my work while I stand on the other side of the bar shaking from a mixture of fear, adrenaline, expectation, lack of nutrition, and excess of caffeine.



The first barista to invade my turf and critique me, was more of a pompous ass who, with his nose wrinkled snidely asked, "would you pour some hot water in that cup to temper it… Continue

Added by Katherine on March 28, 2009 at 5:54pm — 2 Comments

Facebook challenge

I created a couple trivia challenges based on the test we use for Barista training - so my trainees could practice. Check them out here: Part 1, Part 2

Added by Chris Hooton on March 28, 2009 at 3:21pm — 3 Comments

Surf, Search, SCORE!

Couple years ago scored 2 brand new in the box Mazzer Super Jollys for $500 total on Craigslist. Not too shabby. Caveat they were European models so needed 220v (and runs a wee bit faster on 60Hz versus Euro 50Hz.) No biggy in a shop new build but no good for most home use. This morning though scored big time. Brand new 110v Robur, $250. No kidding. Times are tight and broker than dead broke, I mean broke will be a great place to get back UP to (as in out of debt), but such deal could NOT pass… Continue

Added by Mike McGinness on March 28, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

In search of Greek coffee to go with Greek honey cheesecake, or yogurt

http://tiny.cc/AAUxE

Added by Melissa Allison on March 27, 2009 at 11:12am — No Comments

Ending the day on a 1:55 high note

While the day at the cafe was a bit of a low swing on the current day to day economic roller coaster ended on a good note. Popped over to the roaster location for a quick session roasting for a wholesale order pickup in the morning. 32lb greens roasted and bagged in 1hr 55min from unlocking to locking the door. Not too shabby for an officially 3k rated roaster! Four 8lb batches roasted and bagged in under 2 hours including roaster warm up, cool down, and clean up. Never regretted paying the… Continue

Added by Mike McGinness on March 26, 2009 at 6:51pm — No Comments

Becoming a Coffee Roaster

How does someone become a coffee roaster if they have no prior experience?

Added by Ashlynn Carroll on March 25, 2009 at 4:40pm — 1 Comment

Welcome to Spring!

Posted by: Steve Hawthorne



Today we begin serving our 2009 Garden Blend. We've brought together coffees from Brazil and Ethiopia to form this year s Spring time treat. Here s what our coffee pro s had to say about Garden Blend:



2009's Garden Blend is a complex coffee displaying an initial gush of blueberry flavor followed by a hint of nuttiness and earthy flavor. The coffee finishes with a pleasant liveliness with a hint of pepper that leaves an enjoyable aftertaste. The… Continue

Added by Stone Creek Coffee Roasters on March 25, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

A Perfect Cappuccino: A Benefit for Coffee Kids

Hey, everyone, just wanted to let you know that I have nailed down the date for the screening of A Perfect Cappuccino. The other details are still a little sketchy but I will keep you posted on this blog and on facebook. Right now, the only thing certain is that the movie will be shown on April 14th.



I can probably show it as early as 5 or as late as 8. Somewhere in between these two times is what you can expect.



Also, I'm trying to acquire a good espresso machine for a… Continue

Added by Zechariah White on March 25, 2009 at 10:17am — No Comments

Starbucks redefines macchiato

http://tiny.cc/61kVT

Added by Melissa Allison on March 25, 2009 at 9:42am — 1 Comment

New Owners = confusion.

A few months ago the shop that I work at has been bought out by people who live down the street from the old owners. As soon as they took over, they started fixing things that needed to be fixed for a long time.

After a while of fixing things, I think that the new owners realized just how much work it would be for them to completely fix the store. They also have not had any sort of coffee shop experience and know nothing about what it is like to work behind the counter. (The previous… Continue

Added by Heather Clark on March 25, 2009 at 7:32am — No Comments

Cowboy coffee thank you

I thank you all for your comments on my $.25 a cup issue. If I am ever near where ya'll have invited me, trust me, I'll be there. We need an emblem of some sort to signify who is on the Barista Exchange. A big BE on the door, A small BE somewhere in the store... Something to signify who we are. Let's think about it. Bigger things have started with much less reason. Ask Bill Gates. LOL



Yes I understand the economy is going here and there and prices always go up.



But, It… Continue

Added by Al on March 24, 2009 at 7:44pm — No Comments

happy I make my heart!!!

today Iam very happy,I made my (first)nice ,very nice heart in a cup,I made a most tasting and sweet espressos...the coffee was perfect,a litlle more roasted that usually but the texture was a heaven!!!

TODOS JUNTOS PARA EL CAFFE!

Added by Maria Nerea Fidalgo on March 24, 2009 at 3:12pm — No Comments

Featured Blog Posts

View All

Latest Blog Posts

Most Popular Blog Posts

Monthly Archives

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

1999

Barista Exchange Partners

Partner Discount Series Offers

Barista Exchange Friends

Keep Barista Exchange Free

Are you enjoying Barista Exchange? Is it helping you promote your business and helping you network in this great industry? Donate today to keep it free to all members. Supporters can join the "Supporters Group" with a donation. Thanks!

Clicky Web Analytics

© 2024   Created by Matt Milletto.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service