You're the cream in my coffee

you're the cream in my coffee
Originally uploaded by Oℓivia

Found this picture at Flickr.
To all the Cindy's in the world : Welcome.

Casa Barista Kapellen

After Jazzy Jeff bought a nice piece of equipment online from Casa Barista I had the opportunity to speak with Matthieu, owner of this online Home Barista Equipment Company.

Now Peter Beysens started the Antwerp leg of Casa Barista, I see it as a duty to inform everybody about this initiative.
For most of the home Barista's who are on the lookout for good equipment this could be a very interesting partner.

They also give Barista classes, although I don't know what they're worth. I think that after more than 7 years of Barista training, it's still very hard to give classes, but for only 59 euros it could be the perfect starting point for a Home Barista.

Good luck Peter and see you soon in my or your shop.

Clicking this gives you the Gazet Van Antwerpen (Dutch) article from last week.

Finally on facebook

It took a while before we had our own fanpage on facebook.

Become a fan or not, that's up to you.
But ton loads of Caffenation news, by 6 or 7 Antwerp Barista's, is coming your way when clicking this link.

Aeropressing the Aeropress

Aeropressing the Aeropress
Originally uploaded by flippantfiasco

Unstoppable Stumptown

I'm a big Stumptown fan since the first time I tasted one of their coffee's.

I like their beans, looks, attitude, ambitions, packaging and Duane as a leader.

In 'God in a cup' I read that he was willing to start up a bar in Amsterdam. I didn't believe him, but see : he's delivering.
Also about his West Coast ambitions ; the roastery in Brooklyn and bar at the Ace Hotel Manhattan.
Want to know more about this Portland originated company? Read this article from The Time.

Sure thing is I'll be on the first row when the shop is opening in Amsterdam, and I invite all journalists who think coffee is hip and meanwhile visiting Starbucks and drinking Nespresso. Experience this guys! Third wave is coming!

Kaffe 1668 Cartoon

Great Kaffe 1668 cartoons here.

Espresso Drinking in Antwerp

When I started Pitten & Bonen 13 years ago - or was it 14? - people were totally not used to drink espresso's. In those days ordering an espresso, or expresso, was normal, but then they gave you a lungo type of coffee. (I never did so!)

Since that day I have a problem with the word lungo, but can't find a better word for it. I have a problem with this 15 cl espresso drink in general, but that's for another post soon.

Espresso drinking in Antwerp 7 years ago. Caffenation opened their doors and people started to order espresso more and more. I have to admit we were not mastering the process in those days, but at least we offered a couple 3cl beverages called espresso.

Only a couple years later we understood how to get decent extractions and dark brown crema.

I think we still have a lot to learn, but anno 2010 we are a type of espresso institute where people from all over town come for good single or double espresso shots. We now are pulling them 2,5 cl long and offering 1 House Blend and 2 single origin espresso's (SOE) every single day.

Today we have SOE of Mokka Harrar Ethiopia and a crazy Bolivia.

As you can see on this espresso massacre coffee tray on the photo ; things are going really well with espresso in Antwerp.