Handy Household Hints No.3 - Store your leftover filter or brewed coffee in a glass jar

Often I will end up with left-over plunger coffee that is still perfectly good to use, so I store it in a glass jar in the refrigerator and reheat it as needed. This preserves the quality of the coffee and also has the added benefit of letting any sediment sink to the bottom so that you have a clearer brew to drink!

The venerable art of reading the coffee cup - interpreting coffee art

Probably most people have heard of reading tea leaves to predict the future, but it is also possible to get some pretty interesting designs when adding milk to a freshly made espresso coffee. Perhaps it is a little like the Rorschach inkblot test, but use your imagination to see what you can find in these images!

Handy Household Hints No. 1 - Saving the world one coffee pod at a time ...

Attention all coffee lovers - if you use coffee pods, take the time to recycle them as far as possible. Nespresso pods are made from aluminium and can be returned for recycling. All you have to do is collect them and drop them off at your nearest Nespresso boutique (whilst enjoying a complimentary coffee) or other authorised collection point.

All other brands with a plastic pod and plastic or aluminium top can be opened up with a good pair of scissors and the coffee grounds extracted. The coffee makes a wonderful free (yes, free as you have already paid for and enjoyed the pod) organic fertiliser and your plants will love it. You can then choose whether to wash and recycle the plastic pod (if accepted by your local recycling program) or bin it if you are feeling lazy or the pods are not accepted for recycling. You will be surprised at how much free fertiliser you can collect! Even IKEA puts out its used coffee grounds for people to take home and use on their gardens.

If you use an espresso machine, it is even easier to collect the used coffee grounds for your plants (or someone else's). Help reduce waste, encourage plant growth (which helps the environment) and feel good about your actions!

Coffee Review - Lavazza Torino Qualita Oro

Lavazza Torino Qualita Oro, 100% Arabica coffee beans.
Medium roasting, strength: 4

"Qualita Oro has an intense taste with the rich flavour and aroma expected from a true Italian espresso."

I have been grinding the beans at home (on a fine setting) and then brewing the coffee in a standard large coffee plunger.

When drunk black, this coffee has a full-bodied, nutty flavour with a hint of sweetness. It is smooth on the tongue rather than being noticeably bitter, but there is an underlying sense of that warm and rich bitterness that you get with a good dark chocolate. The aftertaste decays gradually.

Adding milk dampens down the sense of bitterness and enhances the smoothness, and it would be quite easy to drink a lot in one sitting!

Verdict: a pleasant, smooth and sophisticated cup of coffee.

Coffee Review - Aldi Expressi Coffee Machine

(Updated 7 January 2014 - Review of Torino Espresso added.)

I recently had the opportunity to 'road test' the very competitively priced Aldi Expressi Coffee Machine and some of the extensive range of equally cost-effective coffee capsules. The machine itself was very easy to operate, with extensive pictorial instructions. Perhaps the only drawback for the amateur barista is that if you want frothy milk, a separate device is required for this. The serving size can be adjusted from 40mL to 200mL, but if you want a mug-sized cup you will need to add water separately. The water is heated as it passes through the machine, and the coffee comes out at a slightly less than ideal serving temperature, particularly if you are adding cold milk. However, this is nothing that a handy microwave can't fix! If you are adding warm or frothed milk, the overall temperature seems to come out "just right".

(Note: All tasting notes were written before looking at the description of the coffee on the box, so any duplication of terminology is coincidental!)

Expressi Renzo Ground Roast Coffee
Strength: 8 
Description: "Sourced from the highlands of Central America, these coffees have a strong spicy and sweet taste with woody notes and a lasting rich character." 

There is a lovely crema on top and a forthright rich aroma. The taste is strong but with depth and a slightly astringent finish which would surely 'cleanse the palate'. With the strength comes a surprising lack of bitterness. There is a distinct aftertaste which lingers on the tongue, echoing the depth of the flavour. A nicely balanced cup of coffee.

Adding milk softens the flavour, as you would expect, but the underlying character still shines though with a refreshing clean finish. With those who like a little bit of sugar with coffee, the combination is simply delicious! 

Expressi Reggio Ground Roast Coffee 
Strength: 9 
Description: A smooth, dark roasted espresso from premium Ethiopian and South American Arabicas creates this rich, full bodied, intense blend - characterised with a delicate note of cocoa. 

Once again there is a good crema on top and a deep woody aroma. Tasted black this coffee is strong and smooth, with a vibrant aftertaste which leaves a definite tingle on the tongue. The flavour is complex, dark and nutty with a dash of spice.

With milk added the flavour is still strong and bold, but velvety smooth. It also goes well with sugar. Definitely a sophisticated cup of coffee!

Expressi Milano Ground Roast Coffee 
Strength: 10 
Description: The blend of Arabica and Rubusta coffees are roasted to create an intensely-flavoured, slightly sweet coffee, with light acidity and a fulfilling aroma. Highlighted floral notes, nutty tones and slight bitterness balance the experience.

This is the Everest of the Expressi coffees, with an intense aroma and a compact punchy but clean taste with staying power, lingering in the back of the throat and on the tongue. Strong and vibrant and definitely a coffee to have when you are seeking a 'pick me up' to reinvigorate your senses. Some may prefer it with a dash of sugar (your brain needs glucose after all!).

With milk added it is still sexy and strong but not quite as edgy. As well as being great as a stand-alone cup of coffee, it would be a most serviceable accompaniment to food, as the sightly astringent taste has a very cleansing effect on the palate.

Expressi Torino Espresso Ground Roast Coffee
Strength: 11
Description: A full bodied coffee of the best Arabica's from South and Central America, Asia and Africe roasted carefully to create an intense yet smooth flavour with dark chocolate and roasted notes and medium acidity.
This one has a dark woody aroma and a nice crema when brewed through the machine. When drunk black, it has an intense bitter liquer-style taste which is at the same time pure and smooth. It has a gentle aftertaste which gradually fades away.

Despite the rating it is not as punchy as some of the others and the smooth sophistication is enhanced by the addition of milk.

"Seal of Approval" - All coffees!

Coffee Review - Growers Espresso

Growers Espresso 

332 St Georges Road
North Fitzroy
Tel: 9486 1886
(Open during the week and Saturdays until 3pm.)
www.growersespresso.com.au
Specialty roasters and retailers of premium coffees and teas - fair trade, direct trade and organic.
Large cappuccino $4.50
Long black $3.50

Eureka Coffee
www.eurekacoffee.com.au
Australian grown coffee, direct from the growers - blends and single estate.

Earlier in the year Growers Espresso kindly handed out some vouchers for "buy one, get one free" coffee purchases. 

On 16 November I purchased a take-away cappuccino from the small shopfront, which is full of character, with dark wood furniture and lots of blackboards describing the coffees which are available. The barrista was very knowledgeable, and described the three blends which he had in his machines at present, and some of the coffees available for sale. There were also some stalks of coffee fruit on the benchtop, and he invited me to try one of the red fruits, which tasted a bit like an "all in one" fruit and nut mix, slightly sweet but having a fruity texture. There were two pale green coffee beans in the centre!

I did not know previously that coffee beans were grown in Australia, but the "home blend" that is used for milk-based coffee drinks is grown mainly around Byron Bay (and also partly in Queensland).

The cappuccino was very milky, perhaps a little overly so for my taste, and by the time I got it home it was definitely more like a latte. The aroma was dark and woody and the flavour also had an unusual quality about it when striking the palate that is hard to pinpoint. It was dense and 'heavy' with a slight bitterness, and also was fairly self-contained, fading away reasonably quickly rather than being refractory, leaving only a mild after-taste. Perhaps the best analogy I can make is that the taste was a little like a 'green' or 'young' wine that has not finished its maturation nor achieved its full potential. It was certainly quite acceptable as a 'quaffing' coffee, but did not grab my attention or tastebuds the way that coffees at other local cafes have done.

The next day my 'secret agent' obtained two long blacks for tasting purposes.

Mountain Top Coffee ("MTC") from South America

This coffee has a dark but strikingly fresh roasted aroma. Tasted black it is fruity and full-flavoured in the mouth with a zingy freshness and more than a hint of liquorice. There is quite a strong after-taste which pleasantly lingers leaving the kernel of the flavour behind. The flavour remains fresh and attractive with milk added. This coffee has a refreshing spicyness and would be good at the end of a meal or on a hot summer's day! Its vibrancy would appeal to those who like a coffee with a lot of personality.

Honduras Blend No.7 (Rated No.7 in a coffee tasting competition)

This has a gentler aroma than the MTC, being smooth, balanced and inviting. The flavour itself is smooth and complex, with a rich depth of character which grows in the mouth, displaying both refreshing and dark components. There is a subtle after-taste, with the dark roasted aspects lingering on the palate. With milk added the subtleties of the flavour remain and it is warm and inviting. Gently sophisticated, this coffee would be a good accompaniment to sweet food or chocolate and would suit those who don't like their coffee too strong.

Coffee Review - Sainsbury's Artisan Bakers

Sainsbury's Artisan Bakers
175 Alexandra Parade
Fitzroy North Vic 3068
Tel: 9489 5555
info@sainsburys.com.au
www.sainsburys.com.au
Medium cappuccino $3.70

Driving past on Saturday 10th November, there was an intriguing sign out the front "Last coffee before Frankston!". As Growers Espresso was closed by this stage of the afternoon and I had to stop at the nearby Officeworks, it seemed like a good opportunity to try a coffee.

The take-away cappuccino had a nice thick froth with lots of chocolate topping. The coffee had a fragrant aroma and a robust, velvety smooth, well-rounded and creamy flavour with a subtle after-taste, leaving a slight tingle on the tongue. It made me think of a fine flavoured chocolate liqueur truffle that just "melts in your mouth".

In the display cases in the small shopfront there were lots of gorgeous-looking pastries (average price $4.50) and breads and savoury 'finger food'.

Isn't it strange that you rarely stop at the places close to home! I have driven past this shop hundreds if not thousands of times over the years but have never stopped before (this was probably not helped by the shop being on the corner of two extremely busy roads). However, I definitely enjoyed the coffee!

Leisurely Lunch at The Espresso Room

The Espresso Room
410 High Street, Northcote
Tel: 9489 4000
Visited Saturday 3 November 2012 at around 12 noon..
(Updated 8 February 2013 after a further visit - see the end of the posting for details.)

Having rated this cafe highly on my previous visit as part of the Age newspaper "Coffee Army" special earlier in the year, I decided to return there when arranging to have lunch with a friend.

In addition to a delightful breakfast menu which is available until 1pm, there is also a wide range of other food available, including pasta, pizzas and sweet treats. We both independently settled on the 'Eggs Salmone', which consists of two poached eggs (slightly runny in the centre) served on round bread muffins with a slice of smoked salmon under the eggs and topped with Hollandaise sauce. The combination was served together with a scooped out and sliced half avocado. There was freshly ground black pepper available on the table. The salmon was not overly salty and the sauce was nicely balanced. My only criticism would be that the avocado was slightly chilled, which blunted the flavour a little. This was an enjoyable dish.

The orange juice was also very nice, served in a long glass with ice cubes (not a favourite practice of mine), and had the taste and texture of real (rather than processed and homogenous) oranges.

Now my favourite part, the coffee! I ordered a cappuccino, which was served in a cup and saucer and beautifully decorated on top. There was a light layer of milk foam on top, nicely textured and with a gentle sweetness. The coffee was fabulous - dark, rich, inviting and complex. The instant mental picture which it gave me was of the palace at Versailles - sophisticated, classy and elegant. It was very smooth on the palate and a subtle aftertaste. The blend used was single origin Columbian.

There was water available on the tables and the service was attentive. 'Cool jazz' played away in the background, slightly on the loud side at one stage but then it settled back to a more ambient level allowing easy conversation.

This was an enjoyable leisurely lunch. Verdict: Recommended!

"The Seal of Approval"

The Espresso Room 07.01.13

The cappuccino as good as always ($3.50). They now have an Ethiopian high altitude single origin coffee – grown at 5800 to 6400m. My colleague said that it was nice.

I had a toasted wrap with tandoori chicken ($10.50). This was nicely toasted, with tasty chicken and fresh spinach leaves, and accompanied by some fresh salad with rocket leaves, chopped cucumber and tomato.

Tasty treats at Tiamo!

Tiamo (03) 9347 5759
Tiamo2 (03) 9347 0911

Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean
303-307 Lygon St, Carlton

www.tiamo.com.au

A colleague and I recently lunched here on the recommendation of some of my students.

It is a little confusing in that there are two Tiamo restaurants, side by side, and depending on which menu you order from (you can order from either) the food will come from one kitchen or another. The menus offer mainly pasta, substantial main courses and pizza. We decided to order from the original Tiamo menu (Black) rather than the Tiamo2 menu (Red). As I cook a pretty mean Pasta Carbonara myself, I always like to try it in Italian restaurants to compare it to mine. As it turned out, my colleague also likes Carbonara, so he chose fettucini whilst I chose penne as the pasta base. Water was provided at the table as well as some fresh sliced and buttered bread. A pepper grinder was supplied on request.

Both pasta dishes were supplied reasonably promptly and were attractively presented in white bowls with flecks of parsley through the dish and a sprig of parsley and freshly grated parmesan cheese on top. Both the bacon and the egg were nicely cooked but not overly so, and still retained their moisture and freshness. There was a generous quantity of both, and the saltiness of the bacon well complemented the sweetness of the egg and the overall flavour was very moreish. The only criticism that I would have is that there was a bit too much cooking oil for my taste, with a pool left in the bottom of the dish as the other ingredients were consumed. However, other than aesthetically, this did not overly detract from the success of the dish. This problem was less apparent in my colleague's serving.

We both ordered a coffee - my colleague a flat white and a cappucino for myself. These were served in smallish white cups and were visually attractive, with caramel and cream-coloured swirls on top. Perhaps a little less than desirable in temperature, but my colleague downed his quickly without complaint and I enjoyed mine. It was a rich, creamy and smooth blend with no hint of bitterness and a subtle aftertaste; as such a cup of coffee that would suit most tastes.

The restaurant was a little noisy and very busy, but not overly so, and despite the fact that we were sitting not too far from the pizza ovens the ambient temperature was well-controlled. The wait-staff were attentive and helpful. I did book in advance, but gathered from the staff that this was normally not strictly necessary. There was certainly a constant stream of patrons entering both restaurants and there is also a reasonably large outdoor eating area on Lygon Street in front of both restaurants. I was waiting outside for my colleague for quite a while and I am pleased to say that although restaurant staff coming in and out and going between restaurants and looking after the outdoor area noticed I was there, I was not approached or hustled at all.

Verdict: Recommended.
This restaurant receives the Seal of Approval!

Make your own coffee blend!

One of the fun things about being able to buy a variety of coffee beans at the supermarket is being able to experiment and make your own coffee blends as a 'home barista'!.

For this particular experiment I ground and mixed together equal ratios of the following three varieties of beans:

• Harris Reserve Colombian High Altitude Grown 100% Arabica Coffee Beans;
• Coles Dark Roast Coffee Beans; and
• Harris Espresso Coffee Beans.

(All of these have previously been reviewed in this blog.)

What was the result? Well, here is a review of the blended coffee brewed in a plunger for tasting.

Served black it has a very robust and full-bodied flavour. The flavour has good depth from the front of the tongue to the back, and there is a fortright after-taste which lingers. There is a hint of bitterness but overall it is well-rounded if strong and there is a a subtle underlying burst of sweetness.

With milk added, the underlying character of the flavour is still quite apparent but takes on a slight smokiness.

This proved to be a successful blend - a cup of coffee with loads of personality and a depth of sophistication in its flavour.

Coffee Review - Harris Espresso Coffee Beans

Harris Espresso Coffee Beans are described on the packet as "Genuine Italian style coffee. Invitingly aromatic with a deep intense flavour". which is rated as "Strong - 5 beans". The 1kg bag (reviewed) is competitively priced.

Once ground this coffee has an aroma that you just want to luxuriate in. It is rich and dark and compelling with a slight astringency, and makes me think of dark wood panelling and green jungle foliage!

Once brewed In a plunger in this instance) this coffee has a luscious rich 'up-front' flavour which is warm and inviting and a solid aftertaste which lingers on the tongue. It will appeal to aficionados of strong coffee but at the same time has a well-balanced flavour without significant bitterness.

With milk added the dark rich flavour is still there but is rounded out by the texture of the milk. The aftertaste still shines through, as does a hint of a tingle on the tongue.

Coffee Review - Coles Dark Roast Coffee Beans

Coles Dark Roast Coffee Beans come in a 1kg package, which is competitively priced. The beans are 'Fair Trade' and 100% Arabica. The flavour strength is rated as 4, but being someone who appreciates strong coffee, I feel that it probably lies more in the mid-range strength-wise.

The aroma of the freshly ground coffee is smooth and slightly nutty.

On drinking it black (made in a plunger), it has a well-rounded and gentle soul with perhaps a slight hint of fruitiness, and a moderate aftertaste that builds up to a slow crescendo. A tiny tingle on the tongue creeps up on you after a while!

Adding milk seems to enhance the fruitiness and suppress the aftertaste to some extent, leaving a mild and balanced cup of coffee which is bound to please most palates.

Coffee Review - Hudsons Coffee, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Over the past two Sundays I have been able to sample (courtesy of a special promotion) capuccinos made by barista Lynn at Hudsons Coffee in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Both times the coffees have been served nice and hot with a generous amount of froth.

Last week the flavour was soft, mild and well-rounded with a subtle aftertaste. Today the coffee was even better than last time. There was a lovely strong and slightly bitter but smooth flavour and a mild aftertaste, leaving a slight tingle on the tongue. Enjoyable cups of coffee both times!

Hudsons also sell their own coffee beans in a variety of flavours (and a variety of other drinks and some food is available in-store).

www.hudsonscoffee.com.au

Nespresso Grand Crus Coffee

(Updated 19 July 2012: 'Espresso Decaffeinato' added.)
(Updated 15 June 2012: 'Ristretto' and a new photo added.)
(Updated 8 February 2013 - brief paragraph at end of posting re the Nescafe Dolce Gusto system.)

These little coffee disks are designed to be used in a Nespresso coffee machine, and are a little like the TARDIS – there is a great deal packed inside. The powder is tightly compressed, and there is a generous serve per cup of ground coffee.

Perhaps the approach was a little unorthodox, as the disks are designed to be used in commercial machine, but as access was not easily available, an old-fashioned technique was used. The aroma of each coffee was sampled on opening the disk and then brewed in a single-serve coffee plunger and tasted first black without any additives.

(To spice up your life a bit, you can also "mix and match" disks and create your own funky coffee blends if using a plunger! This idea proudly brought to you by "The Mad Scientist": http://themadscientistcooks.blogspot.com.au/)

LUNGO
Lungo Leggero (Intensity: 2)
This has a smooth, warm and rich aroma which is immediately comforting. Once brewed the flavour is nutty and soft but full-bodied and develops in the mouth without leaving a strong aftertaste. A pleasant subtle cup of coffee.

Lungo Forte (Intensity: 4)
The aroma is soft and sweet with a slight fruity tang. It takes a moment for the flavour to develop on the palate, but it is rich and dark and a little tangy without being overpowering with a mellow aftertaste which leaves a slight tingle on the tongue. The subtleties of the taste are less obvious when milk is added, but there was still a zingy aftertaste.

ESPRESSO
Espresso Leggero (Intensity: 6)
This has a more forthright roasted aroma that once again has a slight sweetness to it, almost like the tempting smell of roasted vegetables in the oven. It makes me think of roast pumpkin! The liquid form packs a punch – robust, full and flavoursome. The lingering aftertaste is smooth and a little smoky. With milk added it makes a strong but well-rounded cup of coffee.

Espresso Forte (Intensity: 7)
There is a strong and soothing aroma of “just right” roasted beans. It is pungent but darkly inviting. Once brewed the flavour is strong and complex with a hint of bitterness and a slowly subsiding forthright aftertaste which leaves a slight tingle on the tongue. When milk is added, it has a silky strong and somewhat smoky taste. I did enjoy this one (as I like strong coffee) but it this is probably the demarcation point in the Nespresso range between those who like their coffee “black and strong” and those who enjoy a milder brew.

Espresso Decaffeinato (Intensity: 7)
Firstly, I have to say that it has a gorgeous aroma – rich and darkly roasted. This is no wimpy coffee. Drunk black it has a dense and dark slightly bitter flavor worthy of its Espresso nomenclature with a rising aftertaste which hangs around and makes its presence felt, with a bit if a tingle in the tail. With milk added it still ‘packs a punch’ and you truly would not know that you are drinking a decaf. If you want the sensual experience of drinking coffee without the accompanying palpitations and insomnia, then this is a very good choice. Recommended!

RISTRETTO
Ristretto (Intensity: 9)
The initial aroma is fresh and spicy yet dark and complex, making you think of enjoying an exotic beverage seated in a comfy leather chair around an open fire surrounded by a deep old forest. Like its sibling, this coffee is strong and not for the faint-hearted, but has a beautiful smoky and smooth depth of flavour with perhaps an echo of peppermint. It has a lovely cleansing sensation when rolled in the mouth, and a confident aftertaste which seems to intensify slightly over time, leaving a ‘tingle’ on the tongue. It is quite delicious drunk black, but its zesty and smoky nature remains when milk is added. An excellent cup of coffee!

Ristretto Origin India (Intensity: 10)
This coffee has a powerful aroma which is smooth, luscious and rich with a hint of dark chocolate. On drinking it has a ‘WOW’ factor! It is strong and quite smoky with a good depth of flavour, and on savouring the taste in the mouth a bitter underlay emerges. There is a forthright aftertaste with a definite ‘tingle’. It is surprisingly milder with milk added, but the underlying strong bitter character shines through. I enjoyed it, but due to its intensity perhaps one for the aficionados or the caffeine deprived!

These are all good coffees, and a good range of flavours depending on your taste or current need for re-caffeination! I would recommend them all – enjoy!

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to try a cup of coffee from the Nescafe Dolce Gusto machine and system during an in-store demonstration at Harvey Norman. This system offers 16 different types of hot beverages and also provides the milk in a separate capsule. The cappuccino tasted nice (if a bit bland for my taste) and was served hot. This is probably a reasonable choice if you like to be able to serve a variety of different types of coffee (hot chocolate, teas) and not have to worry about frothing your own milk.

Moreish coffee from Timor-Leste

Coffee Mio Timor-Leste Blend
Verdict: Recommended

The Friends of Baucau, a support group for the Baucau region of Timor-Leste, import a fair trade organic coffee blend as a fundraising measure.

The beans are ground and packaged by Coffee Mio into 250g bags, which are available at selected City of Darebin and City of Yarra customer service centres. For further information refer to the Friends of Baucau website: http://friendsofbaucau.org/get-involved/buy-coffee/

The ground coffee is highly aromatic, with a strong, nutty smell which almost has a hint of the rainforest about it.

Once brewed the flavour is strong, robust and unapologetic. There is a good depth of flavour, with a sustained bitter and nutty underlying character which develops into a lingering aftertaste leaving a tingle on the tongue. This is a coffee which can be savoured rather than sculled.

If I had to think about the mental image that drinking the coffee conjurs up when I close my eyes, it would be the sort of coffee you would brew over an open fire in a rustic log cabin and enjoy drinking with friends.

On the coffee trail ... Part 2

Foxy Brown Espresso
31 South Crescent, Northcote
Tel: 9481 4454
http://www.foxybrown.com.au/
Visited Sunday 15 April 2012 at around 11.00am.
Take-Away Cappuccino $3.70
Rating: 8.5/10

Close to Westgarth station opposite the Hurstbridge rail line, this converted Federation-style house has tables inside and out (on three sides of the building) and a verandah out the front. It appears busy and popular, and had a variety of breakfast/brunch/lunch options (including burgers and sandwiches), cakes and muffins. There was unpleasantly loud music playing when I came in, but this stopped abruptly.

Once again the froth had collapsed by the time I had walked home, but the coffee left behind was a milky rich inviting hue. Taste-wise it was smooth, soft and creamy with a hint of sweetness (perhaps both a benefit of unhomogenised milk) and a nutty almost tangy aftertaste. Sipping it created a warm and homely sensation, as if you were sitting around the kitchen table (or an open fire) savouring your coffee. Very drinkable but flavoursome and satisfying - no need to gulp!

(From "The Age Coffee Army Handbook 2012" http://coffeearmy.tumblr.com/)
Boy, are these guys into coffee: they have a custom espresso machine and source their own beans widely (PNG, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and beyond) and have them roasted by an independent specialist in North Melbourne. Ask for a "cortado" - a half-strength half-latte from a single-origin bean.



Penny Farthing Espresso
206 High Street, Northcote
Tel: 9482 2246
http://pennyfarthingespresso.com/
Visited Sunday 15 April 2012 at around 4.30pm.
Take-Away Cappuccino $3.50
Rating: 8.5/10

This tiny shop has seating inside and out, and has the air of a well-loved old fashioned kitchen with wooden furniture. It is open from breakfast until late most days (ideal if visiting the Westgarth Cinema). The service was very friendly and the barista seemed genuinely pleased that I asked about the coffee they were using.

This coffee had a gorgeous complex sharp and inviting aroma and the flavour was correspondingly multi-dimensional but very distinctive. Closing my eyes and tasting the nutty bitterness conjured up thoughts of hot steamy climes and rich brown colours. Very smooth on the palate with a gentle aftertaste. Another one to savour and enjoy.

Update: Monday 5 November 2012 at around 3pm.
Based on my previous positive experience, I met a friend here for afternoon coffee. Our coffees were served in a cup and saucer and beautifully decorated (see photo). Unfortunately they were only lukewarm on this occasion. However, my cappucino was beautifully flavoured, with a strong, dark and smooth taste which made me think of tropical rainforests, and there was some natural sweetness added by the milk. There was a subtle aftertaste which reinforced the flavour.

My friend ordered one of the home-made sultana and fig muffins, which was generously sized and a rich golden colour in appearance. It was pleasant enough taste-wise, but unfortunately a but overcooked on the outside and very crumbly.

Table service is provided if you are 'dining in' and was friendly and attentive. A carafe of water was provided on the table. More substantial food is also available for the hungry diner. There were several people in the cafe sitting alone using computers, so this is obviously tolerated if you buy something.

(From "The Age Coffee Army Handbook 2012" http://coffeearmy.tumblr.com/)
Brothers Trevor and Steve Simmons roast, brew and retail coffee from this quaint Northcote shopfront, including a single-origin decaf and their Vintage Espresso blend featuring Sumatran, Colombian, PNG, Guatemalan and Brazilian beans.

On the coffee trail ...

With the success of the Melbourne Age newspaper's "Coffee Army" campaign, a two-week half-price offer for some of the coffee houses rated as finalists was too good an opportunity to miss!

Therefore this undercover agent offers some humble opinions on the coffee sampled (both take-away and in-house), and a bean review for some new coffee beans that I have just bought..

The Espresso Room
410 High Street, Northcote
Tel: 9489 4000
Visited Saturday 7 April 2012 at around 2.30pm.
Take-Away Cappuccino $3.50
Rating: 9/10

Although the froth had collapsed by the time I was able to get the coffee home and drink it, it had a beautiful aroma, lovely smoky and nutty taste and a smooth flavour with a delicious slightly bitter aftertaste that lingers on the tongue. You can only conclude that you have had a quality coffee. I didn't feel the need (as with a lesser product) just to gulp it down in order to quench your thirst, but rather it was something to savour and enjoy. Very satisfying - one for the connoisseurs!

The service was great and the cafe itself has a very pleasant ambience, with tables inside and out and jazz playing in the background. It was quite possible to have a normal conversation over the top of the music. The menu offers a wide selection of freshly- made food at reasonable prices (breakfast/brunch/lunch). I would definitely come back to eat here. It is obviously popular with what I am told is "MAMILs" (middle aged men in lycra) enjoying a well-earned treat whilst out cycling.



Three Bags Full
Cnr Nicholson and Mollison Streets, Abbotsford
Tel: 9421 2732
http://www.threebagsfullcafe.com.au/
Visited Sunday 8 April 2012 at around 1.30pm.
Take-Away Cappuccino $3.70
Rating: 6/10

I'm sorry to say that this was a disappointment. Obviously this converted warehouse is a hugely popular establishment, with a packed dining area and a queue of people waiting to get in and eat, and there was also quite a long wait for the take-away coffees. Loud repetitive rock music was playing in the background, and conversation was not possible without ramping your voice up several notches. The food on the tables from the breakfast/lunch menus appeared fresh and appetising and the diners seemed to be enjoying it.

The coffee itself had a dark bitter flavour but was bland compared to the silky complexity offered by The Expresso Room and lacked the same degree of aftertaste. I wouldn't go back, either for the coffee or the ambience.



IKEA Richmond
Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre,
Cnr Victoria and Burnley Streets, Richmond
Tel: 8416 5000
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/store/richmond
Visited Sunday 8 April 2012 around 3.30pm
Mug of Cappuccino $2.50 or free for IKEA Family members (bottomless in either case)
Rating: 6/10

Although this is not a recognised coffee house, it is a pleasant enough refuge for those after a quick caffeine fix in the midst of more stressful activities such as shopping!

IKEA uses UTZ Certified fair trade coffee and commercial coffee machines offering a limited selection e.g.: Cappuccino, Latte, Long Black. On the plus side, the coffee has a pleasant strong bitter flavour and a good aftertaste. However, there is probably a bit too much froth on top, and it tends to go cold quite quickly. Still an enjoyable cup of coffee and despite the barn-like ambiance it is quite possible to find a quiet corner and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi or alternatively the reasonably priced food offerings. The enormously popular breakfast special (bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, tomatoes and hash browns - side serving of baked beans $0.60 extra) remains amazing value ($2.95), particularly on Wednesdays when it is cheaper still ($1.95).

Bean Review Harris Reserve Colombian High Altitude Grown 100% Arabica Coffee Beans
Sustainable coffee - UTZ certified
Strong - 4 bean rating
Verdict: Recommended

When you first pick up the bag and smell the aroma, it has a certain 'wow' factor, so I couldn't wait to try it. The beans were finely ground in a 35 year old Moulinex coffee grinder and made up with freshly boiled filtered water in a Pyrex coffee plunger. I first tried it black, and was struck by a gorgeous aroma and the complex dark nutty flavour that also has a hint of smokiness about it and also lingers almost as a tingle on the tongue long after you have swallowed. It is strong and unapologetic but oh so good! The caffeine levels didn't take long to start helping my headache to reduce in intensity so it is also therapeutic!