12.6.04
CoffeeFest - Day One
well... a mixed report indeed.
started the day in terrible need of decent coffee - at a coffee show. the show floor didn't open until noon, and it seems that no places in Vegas know how to make coffee.
then sat through the first prelim round of the Latte Art competition. saw a couple decent rosettes, one okay heart and a bunch of really, totally pathetic attempts (a smiley face, some swirly "things", etc.).
and the show floor opened...
found a booth with an FB70, got two quick shots. ahhh...
let's see... frappe mix booth, blender booth, blender mix booth, flavour syrup booth, biscotti booth, low carb chocolate booth... ouch is an understatement. if this is a reflection of the current state of coffee we're in deep deep shit. there was a gorgeous Mirage machine - but it wasn't hooked up. Josuma Coffee and Supreme Bean were there - thank god. Espresso Supply, Espresso Parts NW and Visions Espresso were there hawking tampers, pitchers, etc.
damn...
my first session (the Espresso Extraction Workshop) turned out to not be hands-on after all (too many people). seemed pointless as a result. so back to the floor. more, much more, of the same.
with any luck tomorrow's roasting workshop will be more worthwhile. the Ambex booth promised as much - gorgeous machines, new profile management and automation software, good people. i'm crossing my fingers.
i'll have pictures once i get back to Bishop.
started the day in terrible need of decent coffee - at a coffee show. the show floor didn't open until noon, and it seems that no places in Vegas know how to make coffee.
then sat through the first prelim round of the Latte Art competition. saw a couple decent rosettes, one okay heart and a bunch of really, totally pathetic attempts (a smiley face, some swirly "things", etc.).
and the show floor opened...
found a booth with an FB70, got two quick shots. ahhh...
let's see... frappe mix booth, blender booth, blender mix booth, flavour syrup booth, biscotti booth, low carb chocolate booth... ouch is an understatement. if this is a reflection of the current state of coffee we're in deep deep shit. there was a gorgeous Mirage machine - but it wasn't hooked up. Josuma Coffee and Supreme Bean were there - thank god. Espresso Supply, Espresso Parts NW and Visions Espresso were there hawking tampers, pitchers, etc.
damn...
my first session (the Espresso Extraction Workshop) turned out to not be hands-on after all (too many people). seemed pointless as a result. so back to the floor. more, much more, of the same.
with any luck tomorrow's roasting workshop will be more worthwhile. the Ambex booth promised as much - gorgeous machines, new profile management and automation software, good people. i'm crossing my fingers.
i'll have pictures once i get back to Bishop.
10.6.04
it was a super mellow, slow day. but there were stacks of good regulars in - which was nice - and my latte art was really working. i think i've solved the problem with the lattes. i had the cup at the wrong angle to start, and was actually over-accelerating the flow. i'm at about 7 out of every 8 in the capp cup, and about 1 out of every 2 in the latte bowl now. rosettes... hearts... hearts with rosettes... fun!
tasted an amazing espresso today from a roaster in Idaho that Aaron de Lazzer is doing some work with. i'm going to taste more of their coffees tomorrow. all i can say is that if they live up to that first shot i'm going to have found a new fetish...
mood - super mellow
music - John Coltrane
coffees - Mexican Pluma, House Blend
special - Piccolo Lattes
tasted an amazing espresso today from a roaster in Idaho that Aaron de Lazzer is doing some work with. i'm going to taste more of their coffees tomorrow. all i can say is that if they live up to that first shot i'm going to have found a new fetish...
mood - super mellow
music - John Coltrane
coffees - Mexican Pluma, House Blend
special - Piccolo Lattes
9.6.04
i'm gearing up for CoffeeFest in Las Vegas.
with luck i'll make some good contacts, see some cool stuff.
oh - and come home with booty.
tasted a couple really nice coffees today.
first - a sun-dried Hawaii Kau. a truly gorgeous coffee. soft, polished, rounded, with all the richness and butter-nut flavours of a Kona, but with some wildness and spice that makes the package complete. lovely.
second - a test-run of an espresso blend modeled after the Espresso Vivace Vita blend. incredibly, wildly complex. very very spicy, with a big, earthy body and some good berry brightness to balance it. good in short milk drinks, very good straight (for those who like a challenge).
for some reason i'm getting really good at pouring Latte art in cappuccino cups, but can't transfer the success to lattes. weird. i'd thought capps were harder...
the blender is fixed (thanks Billy). espresso is pulling wonderful shots.
got a shipment of press pots and electric kettles in.
a good day...
mood - hustle and bustle
music - Al Green
coffees - House Blend, Ethiopia Harrar
special - faux-Vita macchiatto
with luck i'll make some good contacts, see some cool stuff.
oh - and come home with booty.
tasted a couple really nice coffees today.
first - a sun-dried Hawaii Kau. a truly gorgeous coffee. soft, polished, rounded, with all the richness and butter-nut flavours of a Kona, but with some wildness and spice that makes the package complete. lovely.
second - a test-run of an espresso blend modeled after the Espresso Vivace Vita blend. incredibly, wildly complex. very very spicy, with a big, earthy body and some good berry brightness to balance it. good in short milk drinks, very good straight (for those who like a challenge).
for some reason i'm getting really good at pouring Latte art in cappuccino cups, but can't transfer the success to lattes. weird. i'd thought capps were harder...
the blender is fixed (thanks Billy). espresso is pulling wonderful shots.
got a shipment of press pots and electric kettles in.
a good day...
mood - hustle and bustle
music - Al Green
coffees - House Blend, Ethiopia Harrar
special - faux-Vita macchiatto
