The Wild Drink Blog

It’s that time of year again and I’m filled with a mixture of anticipation and self doubt. Competing this year will not feel as natural as it did last year, mainly because I don’t work as a barista anymore. It’s a strange situation to be in, having learnt so much in the last year, but [...]

The title ‘Home Barista’ is flashed around a lot these days.
Since ‘barista’ literally means bartender in Italian, in theory, anyone who puts together a cup of juice and takes the time to add some ice could be classed as a ‘Home Barista’.
Of course i’m being stupid. To be a home barista, one needs to have [...]

Stephen Morrissey is the 2008 World Barista Champion, well done mate!

I remember chatting to Stephen at this years UKBC before he had competed in Ireland, we spoke about competition etc. and now he’s only gone and beat everyone! Great for Square Mile Coffee as well since he used coffee from the new roastery, roasted by none other than Anette Moldvaer who roasted the winning baristas (James Hoffmann) coffee last year!

This is a landmark event, the first coffee post i’ve ever written for this blog whilst actually drinking espresso! Yesterday I picked up my Expobar Brewtus espresso machine along with Rancilio ‘rocky’ grinder and a Gene Cafe roaster. Until now an espresso machine at home would have been a bit unnecessary, but leaving Fifteen has now made it essential.

The sourcing is done, the grinder is installed and calibrated, the pots have arrived and we’ve got a great coffee to put in them… and the result is not even enough room to swing an infant hamster behind the bar! This is the beginning of my journey into brewed coffee. [...]

With competition looming, Hugo and I took a (very) long trip up to Peterborough yesterday. You guessed it (it was the title right?), we weren’t in Peterborough for the sight seeing, we were there because it is the home of Masteroast.