Week 28 of 52
Milk – Paris Creek
Wifi – Yes
Beans and Blend – Vittoria and blend is ‘Organic’?
Cappuccino Cost – $3.50
Ristretto Cost – $3.00
This place was one of the early recommendations I had so today I headed to the hills for this weeks write up and I ordered a cappuccino and ristretto. The presentation of the cappuccino had half coffee art with some good definition and then there was the chocolate powder to partially cover over which is standard cappuccino presentation. The froth texture was thick, dense and creamy so all-in-all no worries for this part of the coffee. Next to taste the coffee, colour looked fine but the lingering background taste of this coffee was one-dimensional having a ‘old style’, ‘old fashion’ taste that’s moderately strong in coffee with a personality of a plank and didn’t allow the milk to enhance or work with the bean profile. Old style coffee taste with newer style presentation is how I would describe this cappuccino.
The ristretto wasn’t a ristretto, it was sort of… kind of an espresso. Too watery and just to much coffee in the cup with a crema that you wouldn’t associate with a good ristretto. For some reason my camera refused to take a decent shot of the ristretto below, apologies for that.
Hey Bobby – on my last visit here, I pressed the barista on the coffee – because my experience was similar to yours – old style with zero nuance – and was told that the regular blend they use is Nero by Vittoria – and that the organic blend – which you must ASK for – otherwise you get the Nero (which is interesting in an Organic Cafe) – is locally sourced. Pressed on where that came from, she didn’t know – but the bag and the hand writing look surprisingly like it can from the Coffee Barun – but this not confirmed. There are better places in Stirling for a coffee – or if have an extra 5 minutes, skoot down the road to Algate and visit the Providore.
Interesting to hear both these reviews as I haven’t had a bad experience there.. I spoke the Barista regarding beans, style and use and they gave me a very good response despite the cafe being its usual busy self on a Saturday morning. The standard beans used are Vittoria Nero as mentioned – which is a stronger, more full bodied shot (significantly preferred, thus it is used standard for those who do not ask for Organic). The Organic beans used ARE by Rio coffee and they are a blend of Sumatran and Peru (the Decaf is also Organic). Organic is used standard for their long blacks, espressos, ristrettos as it has better crema and is a smoother, milder overall taste. I prefer the Vittoria and think it’s great that the option is there to try either. I’m very sorry to hear of both your experiences there as it is a local haunt for me. I’m a professionally trained Barista, making coffee for 5 years and enjoy checking out many cafes to try their coffees (similar to what you do!) and sincerely appreciate a well made coffee; both in taste and in art. I hope you have a better experience on your next visit.