sacred times

Sacred continues to top the coffee charts for me. It is something about the coffee, something about the chat, and a little bit of high convenience thrown in. I begrudge not a penny of the extra money it costs.

This week Michelle is in the kiosk and I find it amazing how, using the same ingredients and machine, and with the same training, coffee can taste ever so slightly different when made by a different person. Incidentally, I struggle with the right word for the person who makes coffee. I believe 'barrista' is the Costabucks term but I shy from using it to the experts - nay, magicians! artists! - that craft beans into heaven.

I always want to ask a new coffee purveyor where they trained as a [coffee-magician / bean-artist / insert your own term]? So my regular question is 'where did you learn to make coffee like this?'. It needs sharpening up, I'll admit, but it does. Never is there an easy 'two days at company x' answer: always a story ensues - which is why I ask, of course. My favourite stories start with 'back in the day...' and relate to travelling or Saturday jobs, or a lifetime in the catering trade - one even contained the words 'Melbourne coffee guru'.

So if you want to make the very best coffee, it seems it can't be taught in a day: years of practice are needed to hone the craft. And, just perhaps, a little help from a guru.