Brew’s Christmas Gift Guide For Coffee Lovers

For those who might not know, the Australasian Golden Bean competition is like the Olympics of coffee roasting. It brings together the most passionate roasters from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia to showcase their craft. This year marked the special 20th anniversary of the competition, held in Melbourne – one of the world’s most vibrant coffee capitals. Having our beans recognised among Australia’s best roasters was an incredible honour! Our Medal Winning Brews In this year’s edition, our dedication to quality shone through across multiple categories. Here’s what the Brew Crew brought home: Espresso Our Ethiopian Guji Dikitu and beloved Mondo blend both secured Bronze medals, standing tall in one of the comp’s most competitive categories. Milk-Based Three of our signature blends – Mondo, OMG, and Alto – earned Bronze medals in the illustrious milk-based category. Filter Our Guatemala Finca Vizcaya earned a Bronze medal in the Filter category, demonstrating versatility across brewing methods. Alt-Milk Our OMG blend also secured a Bronze medal in the Alternative Milk category, finding its way into the most categories of all our beans! Chain Store Our presence in the chain store categories was particularly strong this year! Our OMG blend earned a Silver medal in the Large Chain Milk Based category – our highest accolade of the competition. Meanwhile, our Voodoo blend brought home Bronze medals in both Small Chain categories – Espresso and Milk Based – proving that quality can scale without compromise! What’s Next for Brew? These medals are a reflection of our ongoing commitment to quality – from bean selection through to the final cup. We’re proud to have our beans recognised among Australia’s best, but even prouder to share them with you daily! This competition reminded us what we already knew – that great coffee is about more than just medals. It’s about the daily ritual, the morning brew you get out of bed for, and the passionate people behind every cup. While we celebrate these wins, we’re already back at the roastery, doing what we love most – crafting great coffee for our community. Keen to try our award-winning brews? All of these blends are available in-store and online.

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!