News Articles by Ben Bicknell
-
New world of coffee in Sydney
The weather wasn’t the only thing heating up in Sydney recently; the coffee scene was also warming up with baristas, café owners, roasters and coffee enthusiasts trekking out to the northern suburbs to take part in the NSW heats for the 2010 Barista and Cup Tasting championships. Coffee sacks and roasting equipment at Australian Independent Roasters provided the perfect background for the state competition and it was an exciting scene, with many new faces and nervous enthusiasm filling the warehouse space.
-
Story book ending: Ever After Café
After the first few conversations with mother and son team, Mary and Nick Roberts, I knew that their new café was going to be something special. Nick has worked as a barista around the traps in Melbourne and recently made the trek to sunny Cairns, keen for a sea change. Combining Nick’s coffee knowledge and Mary’s avid foodie bent, developed through hours of cooking show research, they opened Ever After Café Bookstore in the Cairns CBD.
-
One cup at a time
Coffee is an intriguing and whimsical thing. Many of us start on our caffeinated journey in an effort to achieve something that doesn’t taste like last night’s used dishwater, and, as we strive forward, we begin to insist that there must be some absolute, some ultimate combination of factors that will achieve the perfect cup every time. And then we taste the cup that, made in completely the wrong way, against all odds, indeed against all reason, tastes like true nectar of the gods. This is where our journey truly begins!
-
From cup to origin — part 1
Five Senses’ own Ben Bicknell has been on an epic adventure from the cafes of Montreal, to the rigorous challenges of a week’s training at Coffee Lab International and the exhilaration of judging at the World Barista Championships in Atlanta. Here’s a peek at his adventures, couched in an inimitable Ben-style …
-
What makes you buzz? (re-released)
Caffeine and Coffee are often synonymous in people’s minds, but in reality, we don’t often know all that much about this elusive relationship. In this months article, Ben Bicknell, our Coffee Quality Specialist, sheds a bit more light on the involvement of this common drug in our everyday fix.
-
Café in your kitchen — part 2 (re-released)
Last month, Ben Bicknell walked us through setting up an espresso machine and extracting shots for the very first time. This month, Ben breaks down milk texturing, an often problematic area for those new to the art of the barista.
-
Café in your kitchen — part 1 (re-released)
So, you were on your best behaviour all year and it paid off — Santa left a shiny new espresso machine in your Christmas stocking. Perhaps your other half finally got fed up with hearing your critique of local coffee haunts and decided to help you get your own espresso machine set up at home, or maybe you spoiled yourself and bought that Isomac you’ve been dreaming of for months. From setting up your machine to making your very first espresso, here are some handy tips to get you started.
-
The ABC of coffee
Each year, coffee professionals from around Australia step out from behind the espresso bar and, bolstered by their caffeinated environment, step onstage to compete in the Australian Barista Championship. The AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association runs competitions in most states, with the winner of each state competition going on to the national final to battle it out for the coveted title of Australian Barista Champion. The Australian Barista Champion then goes on to represent Australia in the World Barista Championship.
-
Storing your beans
With any culinary pursuit, the golden rule is to start with quality ingredients. Many of today’s leading restaurants make a name for themselves by creating simple dishes from incredibly fresh produce. The same rule applies to coffee. This means that it’s vital that you store your freshly roasted coffee correctly so that you maximize the volatile flavours and aromas in your cup.
-
How to clean your machine
Get out your gloves and clear the bench, because we’re about to clean your espresso machine until it gleams!
The amount of cleaning required to keep an espresso machine running smoothly and producing great tasting shots can come as an unpleasant surprise. However, there are a number of techniques you can employ to create an easy cleaning routine that’s completed in minutes. Here’s a step-by-step cleaning regime that will keep your machine sparkling, inside and out …
-
Grinding at home
Choosing a grinder for home is not easy when you consider there is such a price difference between many household brands and the smaller compact models manufactured by commercial brands for the domestic market. In this month’s article, Ben Bicknell, our Coffee Quality Specialist, provides a bit of insight into the different burr types to help you make an informed decision.
-
Why Isomac will fulfil all your espresso dreams!
After receiving what must have been our 50th enquiry to the tune of ‘what home espresso machine should I buy’ we thought it was time to put you out of your misery and lay down the facts. To put it simply, an Isomac will equip you with the best tools to make some kick ass coffee, just the way you like it, at home.
-
WBC: A Barista's Eye View
My pilgrimage started in Paris, on a cold, cold summer’s morning at Port de Clichy where I met up with some other French coffee fanatics and colleagues from Alto Café — owners Aleaume and Tom, my manager Adrianna and me (the coffee nerd of the trip).
The journey entailed around 1,500km of driving across France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany before finally arriving in Denmark, in good time for the Saturday heats of the World Barista Championship (WBC).
-
Aussies take Copenhagen by Storm
After a lead up in over 50 countries, the 8th World Barista Championship has just wrapped up in Copenhagen, Denmark. Along with the Barista Championship were the World Latte Art Championship and the World Cup Tasting Championship; each of which had an Australian representative.
-
What makes you buzz?
Stumbling out of bed in the morning, the first thing many people do is drag themselves to their plunger, drip filter or espresso machine and make themselves a steamin’ cup-o-joe. With what feels like the elixir of life flowing through their veins, they’re suddenly ready to face the world. Now whether it’s just part of your waking up ritual, you’re savouring the unique flavours of your latest single origin or actively seeking whatever stimulant you can lay your hands on, usually this morning beverage will contain some caffeine.
-
Pouring your first Rosetta
Over the past several months, Ben Bicknell from the WA Barista Academy has delved into the differences between home espresso machines, preparing your espresso shots and milk texturing but whether you’re a budding home enthusiast or a veteran barista, everybody wants to try Latte Art! The Rosetta, a fern or leaf shaped pattern, is the most well known and often the most difficult design to master. This month Ben explains the process step by step, so you can try it at home.
-
Café in your kitchen — part 2
Ok … so we’ve gone through setting up your machine, and some pointers on what to look for when preparing your espresso shots. Now, everyone at some point is going to need to texture great milk, whether it be everyday for your morning flat white, occasionally for a group of friends who come round to ‘let you practice’ or the moment you snap and decide to prove to the world that you can pour latte art as good as the next barista.
-
Café in your kitchen — part 1
You’ve just arrived home with your first ever home espresso machine. Having been a long time coffee drinker, you decided to take the leap and bring that café experience home. From setting up your coffee station to make your first morning cappuccino, here are some tips …
-
Start your elements
So, you’ve finally had enough! Your local cafes aren’t up to your standards and none of them are located a handful of meters from your lounge room — it’s time to get serious: time to buy your own espresso machine for home!
Follow Five Senses ...
