Coffee is one of the most storied and popular beverages in the world, from African coffee ceremonies, to European espressos, to the North American ‘coffee break’. From its obscure origins in 15th century Yemen, coffee has grown into one of the world’s largest commodity products, cultivated in over 70 countries and consumed the world over. Far from the generic supermarket product of yore, today passionate coffee aficionados debate the merits of different brewing techniques and the subtleties of varietal, origin and roast.
Join two deeply knowledgeable coffee experts, Kiril “Nick” Maskratchki of Coffee Electric and David Pritchard of Birds and Beans, as they guide you through the fascinating world of contemporary gourmet coffee, from beans, roasts, origins and blends to brewing, gear, recipes and techniques.
This combination hands-on workshop and coffee tasting will provide a great overview of the essentials of selecting, making and serving top-quality coffee. Nick will provide an overview of coffee history, types, trends and methods. He will also cover the pre-requisites of the perfect cup – beans, machines, grinders, maintenance and technique.
You’ll get a detailed demonstration and hands-on practical experience making the ‘perfect’ espresso, delve into the particulars of the most popular espresso-based drinks like americano, cappuccinos, lattes and more specialized ones like cortado, ristretto, macchiato, etc.
David will provide samples of a variety of different kinds of coffee beans and roasts, and there will an opportunity to taste and compare them side-by-side to compare aromas and flavour profiles. You’ll learn about the impact of coffee cultivation and processing, varietals and roasts, grind and storage on the flavour of the final cup. David will also talk to the complex social, ecological and economic considerations that go into choosing the right kind of coffee.
Whether you are an aspiring barista or simply passionate about a great cup of Joe, this workshop is ideal for anyone interested in learning more about contemporary coffee culture and techniques.
$40 +HST
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Kiril “Nick” Maskratchki is a professional Master Electrician whose company, Coffee Electric, specializes in servicing and supporting the coffee industry. In recent years Nick has merged his technical skills with his lifelong passion for coffee, training and consulting for a variety of clients in the gourmet coffee business. Nick’s depth of knowledge, experience and warm personal style earned him the prestigious George Brown College Award for Excellence in Teaching.
David Pritchard is the man behind Birds and Beans Inc., Canada’s leading roaster of Triple Certified (Organic/Fair Trade/Bird Friendly) & single-origin shade grown coffees. They sell green and freshly roasted coffee on-line, wholesale to cafés and restaurants and directly to Torontonians at their café on the Lakeshore in Etobicoke. http://www.birdsandbeans.ca/
