coffee 'sensitivity'

admin

Hi guys - this one's been on my mind for a while... I find when you appreciate good coffee, you get really fussy about what average cafes serve up... it's got to the stage where I really find it hard to walk into any old cafe and make an order, because I'm so fussy about what I'm going to 'take in' to my system.

Anyone else experience the same angst???

-A

psaigh

totally agree, i love espresso and if a had it my way would drink just about nothing but it (in terms of coffee anyway).  But unfortunately there/s only a very small handful of places that i know of that i would trust to make me a pallatable espresso let alone a great one. So usually i opt for a much safer macchiato. such a depressing story

mattyj

I think I've gone the other way - I know what to expect from cafe's who try, but don't quite hit the mark, and so I don't expect an awesome coffee everytime. I guess it's a bit of tolerance.

askthecoffeeguy

I simply do not order coffee out except in about 3 or 4 locations in Melbourne, and the same in Sydney, for the same reasons. Owning a coffee shop myself I guess gives me the added advantage of an 'unlimited supply' of coffee while I'm working, and having a good coffee machine at home means I can order in some fine beans from around the country, and make my own at home. Better still, I'm roasting my own beans at home these days, though the jury's still out on quality control! When I go out for coffee I want to have an experience that is going to either raise my expectations of what great espresso can be, or at least broaden my coffee vocabulary. And unfortunately, there just aren't that many venues that push the envelope when it comes to experimenting with and producing constantly amazing and consistent coffee (with allowances being made for the odd one that slips underneath the radar!) As much as those in the industry has a responsibility to the educate the public, the public also has the ability to vote with their feet when it comes to raising the bar in terms of quality coffee experiences. Cheers, Pat

GrindOnDemand

"And unfortunately, there just aren't that many venues that push the envelope when it comes to experimenting with and producing constantly amazing and consistent coffee" Except for your own venue, I'm sure, Pat!! ;D Friends are reluctant to go out to cafes with me anymore, because before ordering I try & get a good look at how the barista is making the coffee as a deciding factor on walking out or giving it a go. This can be a tricky exercise when the place is crowded, and you're trying to stick your head over the counter, & around the machine to see the barista at work (security!!) In short, I'd agree with admin.  Tasting fantastic coffee from an establishment is a defining experience, that lingers not only on the palate but in the memory as well.  I've found it hard to find in many places - 'so-so' coffee seems to be the unfortunate norm.

mattyj

Just to expand what I said before, for me it's about context. If I'm out with my wife and friends, I can tolerate something that isn't as good. In that situation, drinking out usually goes with eating and socialising. I guess I relish the opportunity to be away from work and the house, in the compnay of friends, in the sun, with people I love. That (to me) makes up for espresso that isn't the best. But then, sometimes I do go out for a fantastic coffee, and I'll only drink at places that I fully trust to serve top notch espresso. And even then, I'll usually take a friend or two with me to share the experience with. I fear that in our obsession with excellent espresso, we're forgetting the social nature of the cafe. But then maybe that's why so many of us spend so much time on the internet ...

Lovey

Hi guys - this one's been on my mind for a while... I find when you appreciate good coffee, you get really fussy about what average cafes serve up... it's got to the stage where I really find it hard to walk into any old cafe and make an order, because I'm so fussy about what I'm going to 'take in' to my system. Anyone else experience the same angst??? -A

All the time, and now my wife gets to experience it too ;D. We just came back from a holiday in Tasmania and I acted as a guinea pig at many a cafe there. Thankfully there were more good ones than bad ones, thanks to some recommendations, but the bad ones were very, very bad  :P. A lot of the time my wife was urging me, "don't try another cafe, you'll only be dissapointed", or "your coffee at home is better than this". Sometimes I think what it would have been like not to discover good coffee, then I could be happy almost anywhere, no matter what they served  :-?.

askthecoffeeguy

At my work I veto more of my own coffees than anyone else, which either means that I make more crap ones, or that I'm more vigilant at quality control! The thing about going to inspiring cafes is that it makes me think: How can I improve my performance?  What sort of training can I do with my staff to step up and set a new standard? I think eternal vigilance is the answer, that and hiring staff who are passionate about what they do, and not just passengers! BTW:  GO CATS GO STORM GO A LEAGUE!!!!! That Melbourne coffee must be having the desired effect: Lokk at all the results! P

Reschsmooth

To me it is all about context. If I have a meeting at a cafe, I grin and bear it and order a milk based coffee. I will even go out and get a crappy coffee in the afternoon just for an excuse to get out of the office for a couple of minutes. But I consider that just consumption of a 'fast moving consumer good'. I don't order coffee at restaurants. However, when I go to somewhere like Mecca, I tend to get much more excited, savour the coffee, feel it adds to the environment for me, and to me the consumption forms a significant part of the experience, if not the purpose itself.

askthecoffeeguy

Sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised, I went to 'Caffeine' at La Trobe Uni today, where the same guy has been making my coffee on and off for about 5 years, and he's always spot on! I had a piccolo and a latte with half milk, and both were well made, and tasted great.  Just what I needed to get my brain into gear to finish of the last subject of my never-ending (I'm in my 19th year) Arts Degree! Would you call it reverse psychology when you don't have any expectations of a joint, and those expectations are then exceeded? By the way, Big Up to Reschsmooth and Lovey, haven't seen you guys in awhile. Cheers, Pat

admin

Hi guys - yes, Pat and Lovey - great to hear from you both again! -A

Lovey

Just what I needed to get my brain into gear to finish of the last subject of my never-ending (I'm in my 19th year) Arts Degree!

You'll be the only person in history to get 'long service leave' after finishing your degree  ;D.

Would you call it reverse psychology when you don't have any expectations of a joint, and those expectations are then exceeded?

I have a slightly philosophical way of explaining this, and it' the motto I live by. "He who expects little in life is seldom dissapointed"  

By the way, Big Up to Reschsmooth and Lovey, haven't seen you guys in awhile. Cheers, Pat

Pardon my ignorance/stupidity/lack of internet savvy, but what is a 'Big Up'? I imagine it's a good thing, so thanks Pat.

Hi guys - yes, Pat and Lovey - great to hear from you both again! -A

Thanks Ash, I've been around a bit, but I've been a bit quiet of late. I got married not long ago (1 month ago today to be exact) and helping to plan that, and the honeymoon, plus the usual drama's that go with a wedding, took up a fair bit of time. I'm back on deck at work now, and returning to a sense of normality. Now to get used to this bit of shiny metal on my wedding finger  .

Trussell

If I know a cafe isn't going to make a great coffee that's fine, I'll even go there semi-regularly if it has good atmosphere or is handy, because I know what I'm getting.   I frequent a local roaster/cafe, and they used to do brilliant coffee (well black anyway, the milk is generally terrible.) none of their current staff care about coffee, its a job, most of them have never had an espresso, and the coffee is just completely inconsistent.  they manually dose, but only run off the timer built into the machine, and allow anything from 19 to 30 seconds. Because I know these guys can have the means to make a great coffee, I can't stand a coffee from them that from another cafe would be quite good.

askthecoffeeguy

By way of a follow-up the name of the barista dude at Caffeine at La Trobe Uni is Nick, and I've never had a bad coffee from him in the 6yrs or so that he's been there Not a bad track record! Had a piccolo today just before presenting a paper on a cyber-punk novel, and the coffee pulled me through! Didn't even have to refer to my notes! Cheers for the coffee, Nick Pat

JF

For me its a lot like beer. I am well known as a beer snob (and a coffee snob ). When I go out to enjoy a beer, much like a coffee, I am somewhat fussy with choice. On the other hand, if I am out with boys and they shout a round, I end up drinking crap beer. Same with coffee I reckon. We are all fussy when we get down to it, but at the end of the day, we do and drink what we must. In many of your cases, its the ole saying - want something done right, do it yourself.. In fact, I have elected to make my own when I am really in the mood for a decent coffee. I just returned from holidays in QLD (Sunshine coast) and 99% of the coffee I tried was crap. I found a decent cafe in Moorichidore (sorry about the spelling on that) and also discovered a new Toby;s estate cafe by accident at Eumundi markets - not well signed - just found a parking spot out front of his quiet cafe - and since I was only client at the time got chatting to this bloke - top guy - 3 months in and trying to build his biz.. Made a great picollo late and since I have family there - will be back. So - yes its frustrating out there - my greatest frustration at present is cafes who burn the milk...

nzroaster

I just returned from holidays in QLD (Sunshine coast) and 99% of the coffee I tried was crap.

And you didnt make it to Pioneer Coffee???

JF

No - I didnt know about Pioneer... I go up every year to see family and to be honest, I have never researched good cafes to visit. I just find a spot and check out the street for cafes and based on brand - choose one.. Where is Pioneer?

askthecoffeeguy

Yandina - opposite the ginger factory.  They roast their own coffee here and its definitely worth making the pilgrimage to.  Stop in and say gidday to Jason and I'm sure that he'll make you feel welcome They also operate the coffee outlet at the Sunshine Coast Airport. I got some coffee to go from pioneer for the outlaws filter system, They're Dutch and bot easily impressed but they loved the coffee! Cheers, Pat

mattyj

yeah, Pioneer is awesome. You missed out big time mate. There are a few places at Noosa, down near the beach that are pretty deecnt too. What Reschsmooth/Pat said - that's me.

admin

Hey Lovey - have been out of commission for a few days - belated congrats on the Wedding - on behalf of all forum members! -A

Lovey

Thanks for the well wishes. I've just got to get used to introducing 'my wife', rather than 'my girlfriend' or 'my fiancee'  ;D. It will come with practice, I'm sure.

askthecoffeeguy

Hey Lovey, Welcome to club marriage!  I've been a member for two years now, and, as they say, membership has its privileges! We've got a lovely 19 month old daughter, who's an absolute treasure, and we're planning on having another child late next year What about you?  Any plans for kids? And Ashley, how're you coping with two little ones?  Getting any sleep at night? Thank god for coffee, that's all I can say!  If I hadn't discovered the joys of the stuff before parenthood, I've definitely discovered it now! Took my daughter to Batch espresso yesaterday for the first time She just chilled while I had a piccolo Wasn't the best coffee I've had there, but it's good to know that these guys are human Went to Las Chicas across the road afterwards, also a first for me and had a first rate espresso! Its nice to know that there are still new and until now hitherto unknown (to me anyway) coffee experiences out there to be enjoyed! Cheers, Pat

nzroaster

Thank god for coffee, that's all I can say!

Lovey

Hey Lovey, Welcome to club marriage!

mattyj

baby talk! we just had our first 8 days ago - Abby was born on saturday morning, just after midnight. She's demanding, but sweet. Coffee is very precious at the moment, though I'm drinking at a cafe across the road, rather than at home. I'm also finding that drinking plenty of water, and heating a bit healthier is good too.

askthecoffeeguy

Amen to that Pat, when my daughter was born she was 7 weeks premmie so had to stay in the hospital after my wife was discharged, we were basically going to the hospital before and after work, and my wife all day. I tell you the travel press I thought I would never use sure gave me value for money. Not to mention all the early mornings trying to make a vac-pot with 1 free hand.

When my daughter she developed a chest infection and had to stay in hospital for a week of observation - so I didn't get much sleep, traveling between home and the hospital each day!

It won't be long until she's rating and downing the espresso's, I'm sure she'll have yours as the bench mark though.

When she was just over 12 monts old, she looked at a photo of a glass of orange juice in a book and said: "Coffee" - that's my girl!

we just had our first 8 days ago - Abby was born on saturday morning, just after midnight. She's demanding, but sweet.

Congratulations, Matty!  Welcome to the club - it's a world full of endless joy!

psaigh

Just to continue the rant, when my boy Noah was born a year ago we were trapped in the hospital for five days after.  Nothing but horrible hospital kiosk coffee.  The first stop after leaving the hospital (yes, even before going home) was our local roastery ' Simply Coffee', just to finally have a decent espresso. Incedently, my son also shares the same birthday as one of the owners of the roastery.  Hehe

admin

I think this is an important one - re-surrected for further comment! A

askthecoffeeguy

Hi guys - this one's been on my mind for a while... I find when you appreciate good coffee, you get really fussy about what average cafes serve up... it's got to the stage where I really find it hard to walk into any old cafe and make an order, because I'm so fussy about what I'm going to 'take in' to my system. Anyone else experience the same angst??? -A

I'm loath to drink coffee anywhere but at home or my own cafe as I cant stand the thought of being disappointed! having said that been having some lovely coffees at A Minor Place recently...

Koffee_Kosmo

I also drink Tea So when in doubt I order Tea   ;D A lot of places have great food but not so great coffee KK

DoubleRistretto

have to say it happens to me all the time; i can only go to 6 - 8 cafes in Sydney! most of the time i have a look at a new place and just know i'm going to get an 'average' coffee. I know I should probably be more adventurous, but unless I get a recommendation to try a new place from someone I trust, i hardly ever try anywhere new... dR