FeaturedShow notes for Common Grind 003
[quick update: added Hi-Def audio version of the podcast, linked below]
In this episode of Common Grind: Tales from the Drip Tray, the UK’s premiere coffee podcast. I go over to Hasbean Roastery in Stafford to cup Steve Leighton’s first bio-dynamic coffee, the Indian Balmadi Natural, plus the El Salvador La Illusion, the No. 1 Cup [...]
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Epiphany»Today, whilst sat on my break at work reading a book called The Power of Now. A fantastic self-help book with idea’s deeply centered in Zen Buddhism. I had an epiphany. An epiphany that affirms what it is about being a barista that I feed off.
The Art of the Commercial Barista Pt.3»
Finally, the half hour is up, and I struggle back to my feet to get back to work. By this time all signs of the lunch time rush have been cleared away, and you wonder if it was infact a dream. All messes wiped up, drip tray cleaned up, coffee grinds brushed away, and slowly, [...]
What it is to be a barista»
Right guys. Please bear one thing in mind… I’m not in a fit condition to be driving a motor vehicle, heavy machinery is well beyond my means, and god forbid I could suitably chaperone any sort of dance. But I can write, albeit after checking through my spelling mistakes.
The Art of the Commercial Barista pt. 2»
After a half hour sit down, relax and a quick drink and a sandwich. It’s back to work, and time to prepare for war. Everyone starts working to get themselves ready for the lunch time rush, an inevitability in a coffee shop. Portafilters are cleaned out, the milk fridge fully stocked, and all the barista [...]
The Art of the Commercial Barista»
Today guys, I want to talk about what it’s like to be a commercial barista. I know a lot of my readers are purely home-baristas, enthusiasts, hobbyists etc. and whilst I don’t by any means want to question your skills, but with the luxury of time you guys have to pull shots, its a [...]
A heads up»
Right guys, some bad news coming. This evening, I split up with my girlfriend of a few years… I know, you’re all thinking “what’s this got to do with coffee damnit”. Basically, I will be losing this laptop, plus I’m now tight enough on cash, that I can’t get anywhere to interview.
I’ll you guys updated, [...]
Coffee grinder timer prototype»
Well I think that it must be about time for a true barista post. Hailing and celebrating technology and ideas to make making coffee easier and more consistent, the qualities baristi hail and love.
Awhile ago, I had the privilege of going to a good friends house round Chesterfield way, to pick up an espresso machine [...]
Coffee Forums; another nudge.»
Hey guys
Got a few new readers since the last time I posted about this, so…. A good friend of mine, and a guy who featured on the newest podcast, Glenn Wattson, has a great uk coffee forum. Which I have the privilege to moderate. It’s a great growing community, with some fantastic friendships, a lot [...]
What is Biodynamic?»
Well following some great news from Steve Leighton at Hasbean Roastery in Stafford. I wanted to write up a post on Biodynamic agriculture. Biodynamic agriculture, in a nut shell, is the act of the farming the land in a way that prevents soil damage, and in fact, unlike organic farming, is actually beneficially to the [...]
The final news unabridged!»
Well guys, I’m finally in a position to be slightly less candid in my news posts. As of monday this week, I have resigned from my post as Head Barista at Coffee Aroma, Lincoln. I don’t want to sound upbeat about this, because I’m not, I’ve lost a good friend which is a shame. However, [...]
Common Grind News
Coffee Forums need just two more members»Right guys.
I mention these guys a lot, there’s a great synergy between me, being the uk’s premiere coffee podcast, and coffee forums uk being the uk’s premiere coffee forum. And as such I have become excellent friends with the owner, kiwi Glenn Wattson. He has helped me no end with my blog, and with helping [...]
Limited edition tee-shirt batch»
Right, everything is now in motion for Common Grinds first ever limited edition tee-shirt range. Should be receiving the design from our designer in ten days. Taking the promo shots, and then finally getting the pre-orders released on the 1st December. Just in time for christmas.
Post podcast follow-up»
Well guys, just want to keep you all updated on what’s happening in the world of Common Grind, a week after the release of our third coffee podcast. Firstly, I am choosing to be discrete about this first bit of news for the time being.
Coffee Convo’s live podcast»
The last couple of weeks I’ve been getting involved with a fantastic live coffee podcast called Coffee Convo. They record it live on a sunday in the evening, keep an eye out on Twitter to find it.
Common Grind - 003 - Biodynamic coffee, a guest host and more»
WOOOO
Sorry if I seem excited, but I am. After the longest wait ever, the 3rd Common Grind: Tales from the Driptray coffee podcast has landed. It’s been a long time coming, and over the last two months, I’ve struggled through a lot of shit to get here. But I’m here, and that’s all that matters.
Common Grind Podcast for November»
Well guys, its coming up to that time again. Everything is in motion for the third edition of Common Grind: Tales from the Driptray’s coffee podcast And this one is going to be great. So here’s a bit of a teaser for you guys.
Bailing out»
Sorry guys, Pt. 3 will come tomorrow, can’t get my writing head on tonight, so reading a Murakami novel instead.
Working on a small batch of tee-shirts promoting Common Grind, we’ll be taking pre-orders once the design is finalized, and will be aiming to release just thirty of the design, first come first serve. Keep an [...]
Angel Coffee House»
Well finally, after good god knows how long. I can be as candid as I like about my new place of work, The Angel Coffee House.
The Angel Coffee House is a specialiaty coffee shop, based in central Lincoln, a small city in the East Midlands of the UK. And our aim is not only to [...]
Common Grind is back»
Hey guys.
Finally, after however long it has been, Common Grind is back. My brand shiny new Macbook arrived today, and with the beauty of macs, is on straight out of the box. Meaning, after the installation of various programs (namely Flock, Adium and Thunderbird), I’m back.
Firstly, I want to apologise for the lack of an [...]
quick update»
Hey guys, Just wanted to post a quick update. Everything has calmed down lots now, and I’m slowly settling into my new job. I am still without a laptop/internet, and currently have had my phone cut off, so I can only receive incoming calls, so I’m still a little in the dark ages.
However, I have [...]
