Barista Training at Brew Coffee Roasters

The Science Behind a Great Espresso Shot First things first – let’s talk espresso. This concentrated coffee goodness is the foundation of most café drinks, so nailing it is crucial.  Get your ratios right: We love experimenting with water ratios between 1:1.5 and 1:2.5. For a punchy espresso, aim for 1:1.5. Want a more delicate flavour? Go for 1:2.5. Play around with these ratios to find your perfect balance. Basket Size: Don’t overlook your basket size! A 20-gram portafilter is the go-to for most cafes, perfect for 20-22 grams of coffee. Stick to this range to achieve optimal infusion, where water and grounds interact seamlessly for the best extraction. Grind and shine: Your grind size can make or break your espresso. Too coarse? You’ll get a sour, under-extracted shot. Too fine? Chances are, it’ll taste bitter. Adjust your grinder until you hit that sweet spot where flavours sing in harmony. It might take a few tries, but it’s worth it!  Our Secrets To Perfecting Milk Let’s talk about the unsung hero for a perfect latte; well-steamed milk! Here’s how to nail it.  Start Cold: Always use cold milk for the best foam. It gives you more time to work your magic before hitting that perfect temperature. Listen Up: The perfect steam sounds like tearing paper – not too loud, not too quiet. It’s your milk’s way of telling you it’s happy! Feel The Heat: As you steam, keep your hand on the bottom of the milk jug. When it feels too hot to touch comfortably (around 65°C or 150°F), you’re in the sweet spot. Trust your instincts – your hand is a reliable thermometer! Swirl & Tap: After steaming, give your jug a swirl and a tap to break any large bubbles. This creates that silky smooth microfoam that’ll keep your customers coming back for more. Practice Makes Perfect: Latte art isn’t just pretty. For coffee enthusiasts, latte art signifies well-steamed milk. Keep at it, and soon you’ll be creating designs that are visually inviting and delicious! Troubleshooting Like a Pro Even the best baristas have off days. Being able to spot and fix common issues is just as important as crafting a good brew! Here’s a few things to keep an eye on: Sour Shots: If your espresso tastes sour, lacks sweetness, or finishes too quickly, it’s probably under-extracted. Try increasing the yield or grinding finer. You’re giving those grounds a little more time to share all their delicious flavours. Bitter Brews: Overly bitter coffee often means over-extraction. Coarsen your grind or shorten the extraction time. This adjustment gives the coffee more time to extract, bringing out a fuller range of flavours from the grounds. Uneven Tamps: Check your tamping technique and make sure you’re distributing the grounds evenly in the portafilter. Consistency is key – you want to create a nice, even bed for the water to flow through. Beyond the Brew: Essential Barista Skills Know Your Beans: Understanding different roasts is key. Remember, lighter roasts are less soluble, so they might need a bit more brewing time to unlock their full potential. Think of it as getting to know the different coffee personalities. Keep It Clean: A clean machine is a happy machine. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your equipment is crucial for consistent, great-tasting coffee. Your machine works hard, so treat it right! Taste, Taste, Taste: The best baristas are always tasting their coffee. A well-extracted espresso should hit all the right notes – sweetness, refreshing acidity, cleanliness, and a lasting finish. Train your palate, and be able to identify an average brew before your customers do! Connect With Your Customers: Being a great barista involves more than making amazing coffee – you’re in charge of the entire vibe of a café. Smile, remember names, and share your passion for coffee! A friendly face can turn a good cup of coffee into a great one – and keep customers coming back for another. Ready to take your barista skills to the next level? At Brew Coffee Roasters, we’re passionate about nurturing the next generation of Perth coffee professionals. Our comprehensive Barista Training Courses in Perth cover everything from perfecting your shots, to complex latte art patterns. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, our expert trainers are here to guide you every step of the way. Ready to put your skills to the test? Contact us. 

A Taste You Can Feel Good About We all know that the best coffee gives more than just a caffeine kick. Café Femenino is proof of that. This blend is Fairtrade, Organic, and crafted entirely by women, as part of the incredible Café Femenino program. Start your day with a cup of coffee that’s rich in flavors of peach, orange, malt, and walnuts—perfect for those who love their espresso with a story. Why It’s More Than Just a Brew The Café Femenino initiative started in 2004 when 464 courageous female coffee producers in Peru chose to change their narrative from the ground up – literally. Stepping into roles traditionally held by men, these women began a journey toward economic and social independence. Now, this movement includes thousands of women across nine countries, each using coffee as a stepping stone to greater empowerment. With every pound of coffee sold, we donate 5 cents to the Café Femenino Foundation, thanks to our partnership with HA Bennetts. This money funds vital community projects – from building schools to improving healthcare – which these heroic women decide on themselves. How It All Works Café Femenino insists that participating cooperatives give women farmers control over revenues and land ownership. This economic empowerment translates into visible social change. The women of Café Femenino use their earnings to fund projects that create sustainable growth for their communities, improve health standards, and promote education among girls and boys alike. Grounds For Change By choosing Café Femenino, you’re not just buying coffee – you’re becoming part of a larger story. A story where every cup helps to foster equality, improve living conditions, and uplift communities. It’s a narrative woven by women who are reshaping their futures and inspiring change in our world. Try It For Yourself Visit Brew Coffee Roasters in-house or online to try Café Femenino for yourself. Every sip is a reminder of hard work and dedication of the women who made it. So, next time you’re near, swing by and let’s share a cup of Café Femenino together! ☕

Why The AeroPress Reigns Supreme There’s an incredible variety of methods to brew coffee, especially when you’re outdoors. Yet, the AeroPress has proved to be our favourite travel companion, and here’s why: Durability: You might remember the innovative, indestructible “superdisc”, made by Aerobie. Believe it or not, that’s the same genius behind the AeroPress kit! Made of polypropylene, and stainless steel, the AeroPress is designed to withstand knocks and drops without a scratch. Lightweight: We know the struggle of having to choose between the essentials when loading the car up for a road trip! Fortunately, the AeroPress Kit cements coffee as indispensable when having this conversation. Weighing just 175g, It’s the ideal travel buddy for almost all adventures. Grounds Management: Once you’ve finished brewing, the coffee grounds compress into a neat puck, which can be easily discarded, prepping the AeroPress for another round. Who said cleaning had to be a chore? Consistent Quality: Every cup made with the AeroPress kit is not just good, but great. Its consistency has garnered a cult following, leading to national AeroPress coffee-making contests! Accessorise Your Brew While the AeroPress kit is a marvel on its own, here at Brew, we offer additional bits and pieces to elevate your next outdoor brewing experience. Cold coffee is nearly as bad as no coffee! It’s essential to keep that brew hot and steamy (or icey cold if that’s more your speed) when kicking back in the outdoors. The Fressko coffee cup interlinks style and sustainability, keeping your brew hot (or cold) for up to 3 hours! Understanding The AeroPress Kit Comprising of: Brew Chamber Plunger Filter Filter Cap Brewing with the AeroPress Two techniques dominate the AeroPress world – the Traditional and Inverted methods. Both have their merits, so it’s all about personal preference. Traditional Method: This involves placing the brew chamber directly atop your mug and allowing gravity to play its part in brewing. This method may lead to some under-extraction but is great for larger mugs. 1.  Preparation Place a filter inside the filter cap. Attach the filter cap to the brew chamber. 2.  Setup Position the brew chamber on top of your coffee cup. Ensure the filter cap is facing down. 3. Coffee Addition Grind approximately 11 g of coffee beans to a fine consistency. Add the grounds into the brew chamber. 4. Bloom Pour 200g of off-boiling water into the brew chamber. Place plunger on top of the brew chamber creating a seal. Start the timer and let it sit for 2 minutes. 5. Brew Continue pouring water into the brew chamber until almost full. Let it sit for 90 seconds. 6. Plunge After waiting, give the Aeropress brew chamber and plunger a “swirl”. Slowly and steadily press down, taking about 30 seconds. Once you’ve reached the bottom, you’re done! Inverted Method: By turning the AeroPress upside down, you create a sealed chamber, ensuring no premature seepage and more control. Suitable for an 8 oz brew. 1.  Preparation Insert the plunger into the brew chamber’s back, pushing it in just about one centimetre Turn it upside down so the plunger is at the bottom. 2. Coffee Addition Grind 16 grams (roughly 5 tablespoons) of coffee to a semi-fine texture. Add the grounds to the brew chamber. 3. Bloom Boil water and then remove from heat. Pour a bit of water into the chamber just enough to wet all the grounds. Wait for 10 seconds to let the coffee “bloom”. 4. Brew Pour in the rest of the water, filling up the brew chamber. Let it steep for 60 seconds. 5. Filter Preparation If using a paper filter, put it in the filter cap and dampen it slightly. If using a metal filter, set it gently on top of the chamber. Screw on the filter basket. 6. Flip & Plunge Carefully position your mug upside down on the filter basket. Holding both the AeroPress and the mug, flip them so the mug is on the bottom. Slowly press down on the plunger, taking about 30 seconds. Once you’ve pressed all the way down, you’re finished! Post-Brew Rituals Cleaning the AeroPress is a breeze. Eject the puck, give it a rinse, and store. A tip: don’t compress the plunger inside the chamber for long to ensure the longevity of the rubber ring. Dealing with the Uncommon Blowout Rare but recoverable, a filter blowout happens due to misalignment. If faced with zero resistance during the plunge, remove the plunger, rinse, and restart the inverted method. A great coffee experience isn’t just about the brew but also the journey. With school holidays approaching, the joy is in the memories made, stories shared, and the delightful cups of coffee enjoyed together. The AeroPress Coffee Kit promises not just an excellent cup of coffee, but also unforgettable moments. So, wherever you end up these school holidays, make sure the AeroPress Kit is part of your adventure. Happy brewing!