In my 12 years as a coffee roaster I have learned a lot, not just about coffee but also about people, relationships and business. As I have developed as a coffee professional I can look back and see how easily influenced I was, and the stupid things I believed in order to validate my cause. The one thing that annoys me, and that I would go back and change, is the publics’ view of ethically traded coffee. I’d naively like to think that everyone would buy more ethically if given the choice, but how hard is it to know what...

For espresso we have the Nicaragua Las Segovis, this is a Catuai & Bourbon blend that is fully washed. The varietals give an interesting flavour profile. It has a rich, syrupy, molasses body with a hint of orange. Our second espresso option is the Ethiopia Mustefa. This is a natural heirloom variety from the western province of Dijimmah and is silky and elegant with caramel sweetness and peach blossom aroma. For Filter we have the Ethiopia Karote, its a natural process coffee from from the Eastern region of Sidamo. It is sweet and syrupy with notes of stone fruit and...

This week we have the following amazing offers. For espresso, from the western Ghats region of south India we have Lingapur Estate. This farm grows a variety called Jember which is a Scott Laboratory sub variety of Typica. It is grown at 1000m and hand picked and fully washed which results in a citric and floral aroma and rich chocolate body. Our 2nd espresso roast is the very delicious El Salvador Santa Maria. The farm is run by the 5th and 6th generation of coffee farmers from the Aguilar family. It is a fully washed Bourbon, and has strong, syrupy...

I have found myself at this point in thought process many times over the past 10+ years of roasting. If we roast to achieve the best out of the bean, then surely there is only a small window in which we can be true to the bean. However, if we take into account how the bean will be extracted, then the grind and pressure should be taken into account during the roasting process. Before I can even begin to guide anyone through the thought trail that answers this question, let’s look at a few (modern) historical points. We are currently...

This week we are excited to have the Ethiopian Mustefa available as both espresso and filter roast. While our regular natural processed Ethiopian from the Sidamo region has proved very popular, this coffee is from the Dijimmah region and natural processed as well. It is silky with caramel sweetness, the espresso roast has notes of strawberry while the filter roast has a peachy aroma.   This is our last batch of the Costa Rica El Chayote which I have thoroughly enjoyed. The honey process really brings out a sweet fruitiness to the coffee, but in typical Costa Rican style its...

It's that time again where the best baristas meetup and compete for the championship title. The Queensland Barista Championships are back and will be held on the 15-16 March 2014 at the Brisbane Showgrounds, Commerce Building. The championships are held in conjunction with CafeBiz. - QLD Barista Champion - QLD Latte Art Champion - QLD Cup Tasting Champion - QLD Brewers Cup Champion Baristas that want to compete can register at: www.aasca.com/events-qld If you want to watch the baristas compete and drink coffee all day, register at: www.cafeculture.com/register      

This week we have a natural processed bourbon from El Salvador. This is the first time we have had a natural from El Salvador so we are all pretty excited. The Emilio Lopez has a silky, lushious body with notes of blueberry. We also have a washed coffee from Nicaragua, Las Segovis. Grown on extremely steep slopes and in loose soil, the plantation is a challange for all involved. The flavour is rich and syrupy with notes of molasses and burnt orange. Our filter roast is the Colombian La Tribuna from Colombia's Tolima region, with its delicate floral and butter and berries,...

This week we are proud to bring to you this very special line up of centrals. Costa Rica El Chayote Region: Alajuela Farm: Sin Limites Estate Owner: Jaime Cardenas Altitude: 1500 to 1600 Meters above sea level Variety: Villa Sarchi Processing: Honey Sweet and fruity with pleasant citric acidity and chocolate in the finish. Sin Limites estate is owner by Jaime CAdenas and his wife Maribel Barrantes. It is nestled on 7 Hectares in Lourdes de Naranjo in the Alajuela micro region of Costa Ricas West valley. They have their own Micro mill on the farm where they produce both...

This week we run the ever popular Santa Quiteria from Brazil for espresso. This is the first of the coffees through that I bought on my trip this year. What I like about this coffee is the big, rich body with fresh tobacco notes that are elegant enough to be a standout espresso, but big enough to really cut through milk. I have also roasted the Ethiopian Karote as an espresso roast again. This coffee never ceases to amaze with its full chocolatey body, yet delicate floral aromas and fruity sweetness. Because you are all a greedy bunch, and that’s...

This week we have the Syrupy, floral, manuka honeyness of the Kenya Machure as well as back by extremely popular demand, the classic Chocolate and spiced rum of our Guatemala Antigua Classic. We also have the wonderful El Salvador Miravalle Cup of Excellence Lot #12 with its juicy red apple and toffee flavours as our weekly filter offering. Enjoy...

This week in Single Origin land we have the beautiful caramel, toffee, and maple syrup notes of the Kenya Sasini. It is very rare to get a pure Bourbon from this area and this washed example is delicious. We also have the ever popular full bodied jaffa flavours of the El Salvador Santa Maria. In filter catagories we have the Ethiopia Karote and its sweet, floral, berriness from this weeks roast.

Hi All, I'm very excited as this week we have the first of the coffee I bought on this years trip to Brazil. Hacienda Santa Quiteria was a great farm at the end of a city street. It was quiet surreal as there was no long drive on a dirt road to get there, it was just like turning into somebodys driveway. This is the first of the coffee we bought from them an it is full and nutty with hints of fresh tobacco leaves.  We also have an exciting Guatemalan that we have been working on, its a blend but I...