Today, we are pleased to announce the arrival of a new milk line cleaning system. The Cafetto Daily and Weekly milk line cleaners.

Not only do Cafetto Daily Milk Line Cleaner and Cafetto Weekly Milk Line Cleaner clean and sanitise, they now also have a light descaler to keep your precious coffee making equipment operating at it’s optimum.

Available now from Coffee Shrine, the Blue Cafetto Daily Milk Line Cleaner and Pink Weekly Milk Line Cleaner are packaged in convenient easy to use 1litre chamber bottles are are on sale for just $26.50.

Personally I cannot understand why people would want to flavour their coffee; however there are very few cafes or coffee shops that do not have bottles of syrup flavouring on their shelves. This may be set for change, and more sophisticated flavoured coffee could begin finding its way into the cups of more sophisticated coffee drinkers.

While coffee’s third wave is surging ahead through more sophisticated coffee shops in Australia, the seeds of what could come to be known as coffees fourth wave are currently being planted.

Researchers the likes of Brazils Dr Martha Taniwaki have been working on trying to understand the impact on flavour caused by both the coffee bean’s natural characteristics as well as the effect of naturally occurring fungi to which the beans have been exposed. By encouraging selected good fungi to grow on the bean crop, growers have the ability to produce a range of flavours; like wine or other food like cheese where you use mould or yeast to give a special flavour(1).

While any microorganisms associated with coffee beans are burned during the roasting process, it is the effect that the fungi is having on the bean during its development and maturity that is creating the changes to its taste.
As researches learn more about how different fungi varieties impact the coffee beans flavour, it is conceivable that entire crops of coffee can be styled into designer flavours through the introduction of these different fungal organisms.

1. Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1724648.htm

About the Author: Paul Ballardin is the Founder of Coffee Shrine, Australia’s premier national coffee machine and supplies specialist.

Since that first Saeco coffee machine, Saeco has continued to develop “firsts” in the now highly competitive domestic coffee machine market; the first coffee machine with built in cappuccino function, the first multi-drink coffee machine, and the first two-cup coffee making machine.

With the takeover of the debt ridden Saeco brand by Philips in 2009, Saeco is now launching the next generation of at-home coffee machines with the Saeco Syntia and the Saeco Xelsis ranges. These two models build on the unparalleled style and performance Saeco devotees have come to love and expect, while offering even more unique features that add an extra dimension to the way you savour coffee.

As we look towards the next 25 years, we can see significant further consolidation in the highly competitive and overcrowded domestic coffee machine market, but one thing we are now assured of is that the Saeco brand under the new ownership of electronics giant Philips is in great hand.

About the Author: Paul Ballardin is the Founder of Coffee Shrine, Australia’s premier national coffee machine and supplies specialist.

Related: Saeco Syntia, Saeco Syntia Focus, Saeco Xelsis, Saeco Xelsis Black

We have written previously about what a stellar job we think Philips have done since they acquired Gaggia parent, Saeco in late 2009 with the rationalisation and revitalisation of the Saeco and Gaggia line ups.

Now, Gaggia have bought the brand and channel management of Gaggia back in house, ending the management of the brand in Australia by Shriro Australia Pty Ltd.

This is being further demonstrated with a more professional approach to channel management and we expect that the big box retailers such as the Good Guys and Harvey Norman’s will be given a lot more love by Philips with a focus on the Saeco brand.

New resellers are now being appointed for the Gaggia brand and we are proud to announce that Coffee Shrine is now an Authorised Gaggia reseller. The addition of the Gaggia Coffee Machine line up to Coffee Shrine’s range of Fully Automatic Coffee Machines for the home, further cements its reputation as Australia’s Premier Coffee Machine Specialist.

For over 50 years Gaggia Coffee Machines have been filling coffee shops and homes throughout the world with the unmistakable and unique aroma of espresso coffee.

Gaggia Coffee Machines combine the respect associated with one of the best-known brands in the International coffee scene, with innovation and technological evolution. Coffee Shrine is proud to be an Official Gaggia Coffee Machine Reseller.

“In brand strategy all options are open,” said Vidya Sagar Gannamari, Philips’ product manager—beverages in Appliance Magazine recently. “We know that the Italian reputation for coffee is very strong; but the current Philips models, based on redesigned De’longhi hardware, already sell very well in Germany too. Saeco currently manufactures in Italy and Romania (in this product category European manufacturing is important).”

Also important, he says, is the cooperative relationship between Saeco and Lavazzo in the capsule coffeemaker market, and he said this successful relationship “will surely be continued.” Saeco’s Gaggia brand, strong in Italy and the UK, will be a part of future strategy as well.

[This section of has been removed at the request of the manufacturer]

Its great to see a good brand such as Saeco being expertly managed by a great company. Since Philips acquired the Saeco brand it has taken positive steps into regaining market leading position through the improvement to the product line which we believe will alleviate some of the confusion and overlap in the previous ranging.

Rumoured changes forthcoming in the new Saeco Philips line up will include:

Entry Level: Philips Saeco Xsmall, Philips Saeco Espresso Italiano Rapid and Digital, Philips Saeco Odea Go V2, Philips Saeco Odea Giro Plus and Philips Saeco Odea Giro Cappuccino

Mid Range: Philips Saeco Incanto Deluxe, Philips Saeco Talea Giro Plus, Philips Saeco Syntia, Philips Saeco Saeco Syntia Focus and Syntia Cappuccino,

Premium Range: Philips Saeco Talea Touch Plus with 800ml Milk Island, Philips Saeco Xelsis

Professional Range: Saeco Royal Cappuccino and Saeco Royal Professional.

It is still unclear exactly what Philips intends to do with the Gaggia Brand (Owned by Saeco) here in Australia since they took back distribution in February this year from Shriro. The Gaggia range, which are repackaged Saeco machines, compete directly against the Saeco range for shelf space in major retailers across the country. We suspect that at some stage these may disappear off the big box retailers shelves and may be used to support the smaller specialty resellers – stay tuned.

About the Author: Paul Ballardin is the Founder of Coffee Shrine, Australia’s premier national coffee machine and supplies specialist.

Coffee Shrine, Australia’s national coffee machine retailer, has today announced that for a limited time it is offering a 5 year warranty with all new Saeco Xelsis Coffee Machine purchases. That is a whopping 3 years on top of the existing generous manufacturers warranty.

The free bonus 5 year warranty is available Australia wide and is underwritten by United Electrical.

Need further convincing? Check out the amazing video on this magnificent new product.

See also our previous post on the Saeco Xelsis and the details of the Extended Warranty

Aeropress World Championships

This thing is great! We have told you just how much we love the Aeropress in previous posts and highly recommend adding one to your coffee lovers arsenal. In addition to being a great no fuss way of making a special coffee from day to days it is extremely portable and is perfect for those weekend aways or camping trips.

If you are one of those people who really, really loves your Aeropress and think you have got it nailed, whether you make it at home or you are doing Aeropress extractions at your cafe, consider and entry into the 2010 Aeropress World Championships.

This year the Aeropress World Championships is being held in London to coincide with the 2010 World Barista Championships. The emphasis of the competition is on taste and having a bit of fun. Brewing a beautifully balanced cup is what will win you the championship – this is not about latte art or presentation.

Checkout the official web page of the World Aeropress Championships including the rules and some of the recipes for additional details.

In the mean while, why not try the Sigfreds upside down method for your next Aeropress extraction. And for a special tip, try do a blind extraction, pass hot water through your Aeropress without any coffee first as this will remove some of the paper taste from the filter and soften the filter a little for a better extraction.

Oh, and one last thing, Coffee Shrine is offering 10% when you purchase your Aeropress with 250g of Brew Ha PNG Purosa ‘A’ Fair Trade Organic specially ground coffee for a limited time only so you not only get great tasting coffee, you can also feel really good about buying it.

Fairtrade Organic Espresso Chocolate Truffles

This is another Espresso based recipe that makes a perfect gift or treat for occasions such as Mother’s Day, Christmas, Easter or Birthdays or keep some on hand for when unexpected guests drop around.

Ingredients

• 600 grams milk chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 3 teaspoons of finely ground Brew Ha Purosa Organic Fair Trade coffee
• 1 cup of Arkadia Organic Drinking Chocolate powder
• 2 tablespoons Kahlúa or Coffee Liqueur

Method

Step 1. Place half the chocolate and butter in a large bowl. In a small saucepan over low heat, bring the cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour half the cream into the bowl. As the chocolate melts, slowly whisk the mixture together until smooth. Then gradually add the remaining cream, Brew Ha Purosa Organic Fair Trade coffee, and Coffee Liqueur.

Step 2. Pour the ganache into a 2-inch-deep baking pan, spread evenly, and place in the freezer for 30 minutes or until it has the consistency of fudge. Using a melon baller or a small spoon, form rounds and place them on a baking tray lined with wax paper or glad bake. Allow the truffles harden in the freezer for about 15 minutes. After removing from the freezer, roll truffles between your hands into marble-size spheres, squeezing slightly (try to do this quickly, otherwise they’ll become too soft).

Step 3. Let the truffles rest in the freezer while you make the chocolate glaze. Place the remaining chocolate pieces in a large bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate starts to set at the edge of the bowl. Drop the truffles into the melted chocolate and retrieve them with a fork, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. Garnish immediately (Step 4) or leave the truffles plain and proceed to step 5.

Step 4. Roll the freshly coated truffles in a shallow dish of Arkadia Organic Drinking Chocolate powder.

Step 5. Storage: Place the truffles on the lined baking tray and allow them to set in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Truffles will keep for about 2 weeks, chilled or at room temperature, when stored in a tightly sealed container.

Caution. It is very hard to stop at just 1.

Coffee Beans are one of the worlds largest traded commodities

There is a lot of noise on the web and in the social networks regarding Fairtrade Fortnight, but not everyone agrees with the Fair Trade philosophy.

For the record we are not taking sides and believe that anything which gets people talking and activat in improving living conditions for poorer coffee producers is a positive thing.

Managing Director of Brisbane based Di Bella Coffee, Phillip Di Bella, has launched a scathing attack on the Fair Trade movement to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight.

Mr Di Bella was quoted in Foodweek as saying “Fair trade is just a marketing ploy which taps into the guilty conscience of the wealthy countries” and that “Fair Trade keeps third world populations from developing forms of modern economic activity that might help them climb out of their situation.

Most importantly a no-holds-barred Mr Di Bella reasons that “The Fair Trade world breeds anonymity and mediocrity. Good, bad and ugly beans are all thrown in together. No farmer can rise to the top. No farmer is motivated to excel”

Supporting this claim is Coffeetruths Luca Giorgella, who says “don’t expect all Fair Trade coffee to be of the same quality. There is coffee and then there is good coffee. “

Di Bella has a particular interest in the Fair Trade debate due to his company’s own program Crop to Cup which is a direct buying philosophy and works with selected hand picked growers.

So what do we think? We think people should be kind to one another, take an interest in where the products you consume come from and rather than just follow the pack, support companies that are making a genuine effort to make the world a better place.

Our Brew-Ha PNG Purosa ‘A’ Fair Trade Organic Coffee is grown in the Eastern Highlands Province of New Guinea and is undoubtedly one of our best Brew-Ha Roasts.

Read the full article online at www.Foodweek.com.au

Brew Ha Fairtrade Purosa

May 1 to May 16 is Fairtrade Fortnight, an annual event that is designed to heighten the awareness of the positive benefits of the Fair Trade campaign and get people to make the switch to Fair Trade Stuff – Coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate – even your cotton tee shirts.

What is Fair Trade?

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Why Change to Fairtrade?

With 2bn people living on less than $2 a day – swapping your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff helps create a better life for the coffee and cocoa growers, tea pluckers, cotton pickers and banana growers and their families. As well as a guaranteed minimum price, the extra Fairtrade Premium empowers growers to invest in the future for their communities and help themselves out of poverty.

How can you make the swap?

This month when you purchase your coffee, consider the switch to our Brew-Ha PNG Purosa ‘A’ Fair Trade Organic Coffee.

Brew-Ha PNG Purosa ‘A’ Fair Trade Organic Coffee is grown in the Eastern Highlands Province of New Guineas and is undoubtedly one of the best coffees Brew-Ha Roasts.

The Brew-Ha PNG Purosa ‘A’ Fair Trade Organic produces a beautiful nutty, chocolate flavour in the cup with a slight fruity finish in the aftertaste. The coffee is known for its uniformity in colour, body, flavour , aroma and acidity.

A truly special coffee that also guarantees farmers and workers from developing countries better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade.

Available as whole beans or ground , try Brew-Ha PNG Purosa ‘A’ Fair Trade Organic Coffee today.