Regional Barista Competition

Hey, hey! The Western Regionals are coming up August 29!

The whole event is going to be made of fun. If you think you’ve got the chops to judge, apply by filling out the judges application. If you think you’re one of Western Canada’s best, then, heck, why not enter as a competitor? And if you want to see the competition and you don’t really have the cashola but you’ve got time, volunteer here.

Western Regional Barista Championship
Hosted by: Machines n’ Beans, and Reg Barber Enterprises
Leonardo Da Vinci Center
Saturday, August 29, 2009

Incidentally,

If you haven’t heard of Barista Magazine, and you’re a barista, a roaster, a coffee dork or a serious enthusiast (erm, is there a difference?), you should maybe click here.

Guest Appearance

One of our fabulous, jet-setting, inspiring brokers is in town today. She’s coming to the store tonight to chat with the staff. She’s going to talk about what it’s like to be a broker, her recent trip to Peru, and to answer all those questions we’ve wanted to ask for so long, essential questions like: How much coffee do you drink when you travel, anyway?

It’s a secret

Don’t tell anybody, but Discovery is importing an awsome barista from Australia. Shhh. It’s a secret.

We have a winner!

Looks like Sumatra is winning the autumn sippin’ coffee competition. Thanks to everyone who voted, it’ll help us decided if we want to head to Indonesia, South America or Africa this autumn.

What’s Coming Up

I don’t know about you, but autumn is my favorite season. It’s not just the cool nights and warm days, or the way the trees change colour in Topaz park, it’s also the season of heavy-bodied coffee, spicy and earthy notes.

We got a good Sumatran, and we’re hoping to lay hands on a nice, earthy Indian coffee, but I know those aren’t the only big, warming coffees out there, so here’s the questions: What’s your favorite autumn-drinking coffee?

Canada Day

In order to help everyone celebrate Canada Day, Discovery Coffee will be open from 8am to 4pm. Normally we’d be open 6:30-5 on a weekday, but we want to go watch the fireworks and eat blueberry pie too, so we’re starting late and ending early.

Pop in, get caffeinated and enjoy your mid-week Canada Day spectacular!

Photopost

Friday’s class

Friday’s class is a repeat of Sunday’s class, Cupping for Beginners.

Cupping for Beginners aims to get students familiar with how to evaluate coffees based on SCAA guidelines. Students will be introduced to cupping sheets, the coffee taster’s wheel, and the procedure for cupping. We’ll also talk about the importance of process and its impact on the flavour of the coffee.

Course starts at 1 pm. It is one hour, costs 10 dollars and is limited to 10 students.

Sugar Bomb Blend

We call it the Sugar Bomb because our new espresso blend is on the sweeter side of things. It’s a mix of Colombia (Mesas de los Santos), Brazilian Daterra Reserve and a little tiny bit of Kenya Gethumbwini.

The Kenya does for the sweet Columbia and the syrupy Brazil what fleur de sel does for chocolate: It provides balance and complexity and makes this blend greater than the sum of its parts.

Come get it while we’ve got it, ’cause baby, the staff are drinking it like water.