Darren Jones

The AeroPress Kit  Got a friend that always seems to be camping more than they’re working? The AeroPress Kit is about to become their new adventure buddy! At $82.50, it’s the perfect mid-range gift that’ll have them brewing everything from espresso to cold brew in under two minutes. The best part? It’s virtually unbreakable, making it perfect for those sunrise beach brews or mountaintop coffee moments. We’ll even throw in the filters to get them started. The Hario V60 Kit Ready to make someone’s morning coffee ritual even better? This kit transforms the simple act of making coffee into a complete brewing experience. With its elegant design and 600ml server, the Hario V60 pourover kit is perfect for those peaceful weekend mornings when there’s time to slow down and share a brew with someone special. The Hario Cold Brew Pot We’ve all got that friend who orders cold brew even in winter – this one’s for them. The Hario Cold Brew Pot is like Christmas morning in a glass vessel. This budget-friendly beauty creates the smoothest, low-acid coffee that keeps for up to two weeks in the fridge. It’s super simple to use, and with its reusable mesh filter, it’s kind to the planet too. The best part? The 1L size means they can prep their weekly cold brew fix in one go. The Fressko Coffee Cup The Fressko Coffee Cup is the gift that keeps on giving – and by giving, we mean keeping coffee hot for three hours! It’s become the go-to for busy commuters who want their coffee to stay perfect from the first sip to the last. The outer stays cool to touch, making it safe around kids, and its sleek design fits right into any lifestyle. Trust us, this one’s a game-changer for the coffee lover who’s always on the move. The Moccamaster Classic If you’re looking to really wow someone this Christmas (or just treat yourself), the Moccamaster Classic is the crown jewel of coffee brewing. Perfect for families or office spaces, the Moccamaster Classic is built to last a lifetime – literally! Its premium copper boiling element maintains the perfect temperature for consistently amazing coffee every single time. Yes, it’s an investment, but can you really put a price on perfect coffee? Feeling generous? Add a bag of our freshly roasted coffee beans to any of these gifts, and we’ll grind them to suit your favourite brewing method. Just let us know at checkout, and we’ll make sure everything’s paired up for the perfect brewing adventure. Need Help Deciding? Pop into our Wangara store for a chat – we’d love to help you find the perfect gift! Plus, you can check out all these beauties in person and maybe even sample a brew or two while you’re here. Nothing says ‘I appreciate you’ quite like the gift of great coffee. Whether they’re just starting their coffee journey or they’re a certified coffee nerd, we’ve got a gift for every coffee lover! Check out the full range.

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.