Paul Bassett: Barista World Champion
Paul Basset knows coffee. And he says that the worst cup of coffee one can ever drink is a cup of instant.
Paul Bassett was only 25 when he became a World Champion Barista hailing him the youngest and only Australian to ever win the championship. He produced, wrote and hosted his new show, Living Coffee With Paul Bassett on Discovery Travel & Living, is a regular columnist in Crema magazine, has been invited by Men’s Style to be their contributing lifestyle editor and even appointed brand ambassador for BMW in Australia.
Paul is also a resource for many lifestyle publications and is often featured in the likes of Gourmet Traveller, Vogue entertaining & travel, Delicious and Crema magazine, sharing insight into all areas of coffee culture.
In early 2006 Paul opened his first espresso bar/coffee roastery concept store in Ginza, Tokyo. This store is collaboration with world patissier champion Tsujiguchi and has been designed to give an interactive experience, show casing the roasting process and theatre of the barista, while harmonising the elements of coffee and chocolate. Check out Paul’s website for new store openings and locations.
When asked in an interview on how he likes his coffee, here’s what he said:
” Tasting the blend or the single origin coffee and tasting the characteristics true to the coffee – where its from, how its been roasted, how its been brewed. I don’t even like to put sugar in my coffee. I think a lot of the flavouring, and the addition of sugar and milk in coffee is really not good. Coffee is personal but for me, I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to coffee.”
Coffee House History: Starbucks
Hate or love the mermaid from Seattle, Starbucks undoubtedly is the most famous coffee brand in the world (if not universe? I hear they’ve opened a branch on the moon).
If you’re wondering if the larger-than-life chain is indeed part of Dr.Evil’s empire, read on!
Starbucks
Starbucks was named after a character in Moby Dick, and the story
began in 1971 when the first Starbucks opened in America’s oldest Farmer’s Market, the Pike Place Market.
Then, the company was a local coffee roasting facility until 1982 when Howard Schulz joined the company and turned their marketing strategy around.
On a trip to Italy, Schulz was inspired to the coffee bar tradition and sold his idea to the Starbucks founders. In 1985, the first coffee bar opened, and true to Italian style, they called it “Il Giornale” and it was a smashing success.
In 1987, together with new investors, Schulz bought Starbucks and opened new cafes in Vancouver and Chicago, rising to 17 that same year.
With 165 cafes by 1992, the company went public and now trades at the NASDAQ.
On March 7th, 2001 Starbucks opened their first cafe in Europe – in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, Starbucks is found in 30 countries around the world, with 9,000 cafes and counting. The company also donates a lot to charitable organizations.
Traffic Violation Due to Coffee
A lot of people just want a simple cup of coffee. yet often times, they are too rushed or too tired to make the brew for themselves. Luckily we live in an age where almost anything you need is available for purchase.
For those who don’t need to have gourmet coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts is a favorite source for a quick cup of joe. They do have espressos and lattes as well and the blueberry flavored is a favorite. The franchise is found almost everywhere. The basic coffee is inexpensive but good and strong.
In fact, the popularity of the coffee of Dunkin’ Donuts is said to be causing accidents to occur, particularly in Auburn, New York. The line at the drive thru of their Grant Street branch can be ten to twelve cars long at the peak of rush hour. Many of them turn left from Standart causing a traffic jam. They must really have a good brew.
Government has stepped in. They’ve made it a no left zone from Standart but these coffee lovers haven’t been following the rule. Their happy days are about to be over though.
Fair warning given, coffee lovers. If you want to keep getting your coffee from here, find another way to get there or you’ll get a ticket. Is any cup of coffee worth violating the law?
The best solution: find another Dunkin’ Donut on your way home or to work or find a way to go round to the Grany Street branch. The shortcut is a pain.
Technorati Tags: coffee, news, dunkin donuts, new york, law, traffic
Coffee House History: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
For those of us not named Paul Basset, a good up of coffee is more often than not found at the coffee house at the nearest mall, around the corner, or at an airport if you’re travelling (the photo by the way is of the CBTL at Singapore’s Changi airport) - and not at home, although we’ll put up with the home brew just to get up in the morning.
So I’ve decided to clue you in on a little background info about these institutions we so heavily rely on on provide a decent cup of java.
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Herbert B. Hyman started The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in 1963 with a dedication to excellence and quality, and his efforts made him the founding father of gourmet coffee in California.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has since grown into one of the largest privately- owned, family-run coffee and tea companies in the world.
The endurance and popularity of The Bean, as it is affectionately referred to by devotees, can be attributed to the high standards that were established from the beginning. From trend-setting drinks like the World Famous Ice Blended, to the employees who become a part of the communities they work in, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has discovered the formula for a successful coffee and tea company.
Coffee grade: Decent Brew
Good Points: Good variety of other things to eat, hot breakfasts, chai tea, vanilla lovers should be happy.
Bad Points: Drinks tend to be too much on the sweet side
Coffee House History: Seattle’s Best
My local mall gives me a basic choice of 3 coffee houses(or is it shops in a mall?) -The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Starbucks (duh), and Seattles Best. And the one I always inadvertantly pick is Seattles Best. Yes, the coffee is much more my “cup of tea”, and there dont seem to be too many noisy teenagers as there are in Starbucks or bored housewives as the Bean…..
Seattle’s Best
Seattle hasn’t always been the center of the coffee universe, in fact the city once served as much bad coffee as the rest of the country. That changed in the early 70’s when a group of passionate coffee lovers started a revolution.
The founders of Seattle’s Best were some of these early coffee pioneers, and in the beginning the coffee was roasted in an old peanut roaster down on the Seattle waterfront. These guys used the finest beans and roasted to achieve a bold and full flavored cup that was also smooth and mellow.
In those days, the Northwest was such a hotbed of competing coffee styles that a local restaurant held a taste-off to crown “the best cup of coffee in Seattle.” Much to the founders delight, their little coffee company took first place.
To celebrate the occasion, they officially re-named the company “Seattle’s Best Coffee” and the rest is coffee history. Today, the coffee revolution has spread across America and now good coffee is fashionable everywhere. There are many great coffees roasted in Seattle, but only one offers the bold flavor and smooth taste that is Seattle’s Best.
Coffee grade: Above Average
Good Points: Breve superb, great organic beans, yummy macaroons
Bad Points: Counter foodoften tasteless ,vanilla latte cloyingly sweet
Coffee Music
Ever think about the music that you associate with your coffee? Every moment of our life has a beat and a drink. Coffee is present on an almost daily basis of our life. So the question becomes, what is the beat of your life?
Typically, your music is like your coffee. If you like your coffee cool or chilled like a frappuccino, you probably enjoy listening to reggae or rnb (rhythm and blues). If you prefer your coffee warm and soothing, you probably listen to jazz and the ballads.
Some music, coffee blends and occasion go together. For example many people associate peppermint and hot chocolate with christmas. Our enterprising cafes know this and have peppermint coffee available for you to perk you up after a tiring day of christmas shopping. You can rest your feet, chat with your friends and listen to christmas carols performed by Bing Crosby and the like.
Rare is it that you’ll find yourself drinking coffee at a rock concert. Usually the brew served there is alcoholic in nature. You’ll probably have your coffee after the event, probably to wind down your evening. The music would also be more mellow as you cap the night.
Most offices have programmed background music that is unobtrusive yet soothing for their clients and staff. Usually in meetings, it may be turned down very low but the strains of classical music can be heard. You barely hear the tones of Bach playing while you savor the delicious coffee brewed for you by your host. The two combine to help keep you alert and your mind sharp on your deals.
Technorati Tags: coffee, music, cafe
Coffee and Donuts
The sterotypical image of a cop is one who eats donuts and drinks coffee while on duty. How the image became the stereotype no one knows but there it is. While our police force may enjoy a donut or two and drink some coffee that is by no means all that our law enforcement officers do.
It is no wonder though that they are constantly drinking coffee. It is hard work to keep crime at bay. They need to be alert at all times. They can’t afford to be tired or sleepy even on the most routine and humdrum of days. As well we know that is a particular gift of coffee - to stimulate the brain and keep drowsiness away.
Since our friendly neighborhood regular policemen aren’t exactly the highest paid members of society, so they don’t exactly get the best coffee with every cup. Let’s face it, a cup of your favorite starbucks brew is expensive. So here is a simple brew that they can make when they are back in their precinct.
Mexican Coffee
This is a really easy way to change the taste of your regular brew. Just add a tablespoon of cinnamon to the coffee grounds before brewing a fresh pot. When it’s ready, just add some brown sugar to your cup of joe to suit your taste.
If the coffee was already made before you arrived just put some cinamon sticks in your cup. Let it dissolve and then add some brown sugar to sweeten it as you like.
Technorati Tags: coffee, police, doughnuts, mexican coffee, recipe
World Barista Championships
A lot of people enjoy coffee. In fact a lot of us say that they wouldn’t make it through a day without cup of joe. Of course, not everyone is good at making coffee. It is rather like many people cook but are by no means good at it.
Luckily for us there are many coffeeshops now. We can now hop on over to our favorite cafe andask the barista to whip up our favorite brew.
Wouldn’t it be cool if your favorite barista became the world champion? They hold the World Barista Champion every year and 45 countries currently compete. The current champion is Claus Thomsen of Denmark. You never know, your favorite maker of coffee may just be the next champion.
Anyone interested to compete will have to really know how to make their espresso. They will be required to make a total of 12 drinks - 4 espressos, 4 cappuccinos and 4 cups of their signature beverage. They are judged not only on the taste of their brew, they are also rated on their presentation and latte art.
If you are a barista and interested to participate in the competition why not check if your country has its own national or regional competitions. If there aren’t any being held in your country yet, you may want to organize your own competitions and take part in the next championships. The 2007 World Barista Championship is scheduled to take place in Antwerp, Belgium from May 18 to May 20. For more information visit the WBC homepage here.
Technorati Tags: coffee, barista, competition, world barista championship, espresso, cappuccino
Time for Kahlua
Everybody needs something new every now and then, just to keep things fresh. For coffee lovers, there are many choices on how to do this. One of the best ways is mixing Kahlua with your coffee.
Kahlua is a coffee liquer. It is dark brown in color and is made from the best Mexican ceans. It also contains sugar, cane syrup, cane spirits, vodka and a hint of vanilla. It is the second largest brand of liquer worldwide.
If you haven’t tried it yet, don’t fret. You can easily try some recipes at the nearest bars. Of course, it is always more fun to mix for yourself and Kahlua is available in most stores.
If you can’t find Kahlua anywhere, you can try making your own. Just simmer together 3 cups of sugar, a quart of water and ten to twelve teaspoons of coffee (any kind of coffee will do, even instant) for an hour and a half. Let the mixture cool before adding 3 cups of vodka and 3 teaspoons of vanilla. You can pour the whole brew in a bottle and let it age or you can drink it up right away.
Kahlua drinks are fun but do remember that it does have alcohol so you may want to ask someone else to drive for you. Here are some recipes courtesy of drinksmixer you might want to try:
Caffeine Attack Recipe: Put 4 scoops of coffee flavored ice cream (feel free to make your own ice cream) in a blender with some Kahlua (add as much as you like) and mix it til the ice cream is drinkable. Pour it into a beer mug and enjoy!
Kamora Mexican Coffee Recipe: This is a really simple brew. Just add half an ounce of Kahlua and half an ounce of white tequila into 1 cup of coffee. Voila!
Technorati Tags: coffee, alcohol, Kahlua, recipes, ice cream
Turkish Coffee Trivia
There is a Turkish proverb that says, “A single cup of coffee is remembered for fourty years”. In the Turkish culture, coffee is always offered at the start of any visit. No true conversations begin until kahve is served. The discussions and the brew are remembered together. No wonder that Turkish coffee is unforgettable.
There is no ritual more important in any culture than marriage. It is a way to improve ones standing and situation in society after all. Every prospective bride is tested by the way she makes coffee. Some brides are known to have substituted salt for the sugar in order to avoid an unwanted marriage.
It was also considered an insult to spill the coffee, even just a little on to the saucer so a reluctant bride would sometimes find a way to spill coffee, not just on the saucer but on the guests. That usually ended the marriage talks.
The foam on Turkish coffee is very important. It is made as the brew sits on the stove without being stirred. A few people will tell you that it is okay to stir after the first two boiling, in fact some will say it is a must but never is it stirred once it is placed on the heat for the last time. In fact, it is said that the host who serves coffee with no foam loses face.
For those of us who’ve always wanted our future read with coffee, Turkish coffee is the brew you must try. It is the remains from this brew or fal that is used to read ones possible fututre or destiny. In fact it is still a favorite pastime in Turkey today, especially among the women.
Make yourself a cup of Turkish coffee or go find a place that makes good Turkish coffee. Enjoy the experience for yourself. Don’t forget to check if there’s someone around who can read fal.
Technorati Tags: coffee, Turkey, Turkish Coffee, Astrology, Fortunetelling, weddings, rituals
