It is a well-known and highly documented fact that caffeine, (coffee more specifically) plays a huge role in a lot of our lives. Whether it’s instant, brewed at home or a cheeky coffee run in the morning, our morning rituals are not the same without a humble hot brew.
At times it can get overwhelming when choosing what kind of coffee you’d like, and a latte, cappuccino or long black is usually the safe go-to however Cheeky Grin and Willow Bend Coffee want to challenge you to spice up your next coffee order and have pulled back the curtain on 5 of its speciality coffee creations to educate both connoisseurs and beginners alike.
First up to the stage is the ‘Single Origin’ coffee fit for any die-hard fan of the ‘go-juice’. What is Single Origin you say? Well, Single Origin is a bean from one singular origin or region, as opposed to most coffee shops that would have a blend from multiple origins in their roast.
According to Cheeky Grin, “Single Origin is best served in our opinion as a single shot of espresso however can be used when making any coffee drink in replace of a house blend.”
Easily replicated at home, this one is a no-brainer for all of you hardcore fans of the ole cuppa joe.
Pro tip from Cheeky Grin Coffee’s Stefan: I would say to source beans from your local roaster and speak to your favourite barista and how your favourite barista makes your favourite brew.
Pro tip from Willow Bend Coffee’s Ben: Each roaster will have its own recipe for its single origin so there are so many ways you can enjoy single origin. You can have a pour over, filter cold and more!
Next to the plate, (or should I say cup) is the Double Ristretto. Sounding more intimidating than it is, the Double Ristretto is not for the faint of heart.
In layman’s terms, the Double Ristretto is the first 15 to 20 mils of espresso which gives you a rich bold flavour within its crema. The flavour profile in a double ristretto is a lot smoother than a single standard espresso shot.
Smooth, creamy and all-around good, the double ristretto is another great choice for you to replicate at home.
Pro tip from Cheeky Grin Coffee’s Stefan: If you have access to scales and a timer that’s a plus just so you monitor your dosage. I would say that you normally let the shot run for 15-20 seconds.
Pro tip from Willow Bend Coffee’s Ben: For the perfect double ristretto, you’re supposed to set the grind slightly finer and load an extra 1 or 2 grams to the basket and extract the coffee for around 16-18 seconds
Now, this is where the magic happens, literally. The Magic pulls a rabbit out of a hat with this one, with there being similarities to its distant (weaker) coffee cousin, the piccolo.
The Magic is made up of a double ristretto with equal parts milk and this essentially would look like a three-quarter filled flat white.
This is great for those white coffee drinkers who are keen on something that packs more of a punch.
Pro tip from Cheeky Grin’s Stefan: Make sure you perfect your double ristretto and make really creamy milk and level out the milk to coffee ratio. It should be 50/50.
Pro tip from Willow Bend Coffee’s Ben: Make sure the espresso is cut short so you get all of the best parts of the coffee, from the oils to the crema.
Now a boutique cafe special, Cold Brew makes a statement with not only the destination of what ends up in the cup but also the journey it goes on.
Essentially, Cold Brew is where coarse ground coffee is filtered and brewed slowly over cold water and ice. This method takes about 8 to 48 hours depending on the flavour profile you are wanting to bring out of the roast.
Although cold brew can taste lighter than an iced long black, don’t underestimate the coffee, it does contain a higher caffeine intake.
Pro tip from Willow Bend Coffee’s Ben: I recommend using single origin coffee because it gives the coffee more flavour and gives you better notes while a blend can be a bit trickier with the flavour profile.
Pro tip from Cheeky Grin’s Stefan: The longer you brew the coffee the stronger it becomes so make sure you know how strong you would like your coffee, and if you need advice feel free to chat with local barista.
Last but certainly not least is the delicious-sounding Batch Brew. Are you curious? Because we are.
According to Cheeky Grin, Batch Brew is coarsely ground coffee filtered over hot water and generally made through a machine called a mocha master. This process gives off a lighter flavour profile as opposed to a straight-up long black.
If you’re feeling slightly more experimental, this one is our flavour of choice to light the fire that is your coffee creativity.
Pro tip from Cheeky Grin’s Stefan: When you’re having batch brew go in with an open mind and don’t think that there’s not enough coffee. It’s all about the experience and not the caffeine kick.
If all of that sounded good but was too intimidating, feel free to visit the friendly team at Cheeky Grin Coffee or Willow Bend Coffee where they can show you how it’s done and let you know how you can do it yourself!
Find Cheeky Grin Coffee at 74a Gage St, Firle SA 5070.
Find Willow Bend Coffee at 10 Elizabeth Street Croydon, 5008, AU.
