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BorisLee
18 Review(s)
Novice Gourmet
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Somebody pull espresso badly, they are workers.
Somebody pull usually good espressos, but they don't understand how to change according to conditions, they are pullers.
Somebody pull good espressos, and they can change accustoming to weather, bean batches and other factors, they are Barista.
Somebody may not pull a good espresso, but they knows, or has a eager knowing all the theory behind coffee making, they are coffee geek.
The Boss of Barista Jam, William, is a Barista and a Coffee Geek.
And I knew that it is a coffee geek's place when see its name, and I can confirm it when I see the setting of this coffee shop.
In Hong Kong, any shop would be proud if they carry a LM GB5, (which is an expensive but very versatile espresso machine) but no, No-nonsense Willian installed another Etnica with E61 brewhead within customer's touch, arranging both machine in a way that Barista Jam is possible. There is even a naked (bottomless) portafilter, which is a geek tool to examine how good/bad a pull is.
William himself, althought is full of geek talks and jargon, still friendly enough to be a barista(Not really geek-geek like me lol) but dun expect him to be soulmate nigel type of friendly or coco Johnson's family liketongue
Okay, Here comes the real review.
Espresso :
First thing first, William has not figured out his house blend yet (He was cupping with his friend during my first visit), so he is using Dane's beans as makeshift for the time being. As I stated in the review of "The Blend of Danes" (I'll refer it as Sun Po Kong or SPK Shop later)
http://www.openrice.com/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?commentid=2060318
Despite being roasted in and imported from Australia, Dane's beans are usually very fresh and comparable, if not better, than most of other locally roasted blends.
Honestly, I feel the Carribean Espresso pulled here is less sweet and flatter than that of the SPK Shop, body is less bold but creamier. William contributed it to the difference of GB5 and Etnica's pre-infusion system.(You see? Geek talks tongue) Well I'm not a pro so I'm not here to judge, but I think the grinder is also a huge factor
I'd rate low 5 if I have not tasted the blend in SPK shop, but it's still a mid 4 to me smile

Picolo Latte :
A good mix with milk, blend well but still feel the layers, albeit lacking finish. mid 4

Special - Single Origin Espresso (Colombian Huila Valencia Excelso):
This SO Espresso is not on the menu, it's only a demo as I wanted to buy some beans home. Again, the espresso came out very creamy smooth with a orange skin finish. Interesting.

Barista Jam
Barista Jam
 
A Naked Portafilter - An indication of geekness
A Naked Portafilter - An indication of geekness
 
Gonna fill up with (freshly roasted) beans :P
Gonna fill up with (freshly roasted) beans :P
 
Espresso
Espresso
 
E61 Brewhead, in touching distance with customer
E61 Brewhead, in touching distance with customer
 
 
Recommended Dish(es):  Espresso, Picolo Latte
 
Date of Visit: Feb 05, 2010 

Spending per head: Approximately HKD20(Tea)

Other Ratings:
Taste
 4  |  
Environment
 5  |  
Service
 5  |  
Hygiene
 5  |  
Value for Money
 4

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BoblamBoblamHK EpicurusHK Epicurus
Comments
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Boblam
68 Review(s)
Rising Gourmet
imported but usually very fresh! Feb 17, 2010 04:50 112.118.x.x
"Despite being roasted in and imported from Australia, Dane's beans are usually ]very fresh[/b and comparable, if not better, than most of other locally roasted blends"
I heard good words on Dane's from here but opposite opinions elsewhere from those I considered know coffee. At Fuel who also imported their beans, I partly blamed the quite inconsistent shot problem to the coffee age. I pencil in this shop and Dane for my next to visit list.
BorisLee
18 Review(s)
Novice Gourmet
Too late :P Feb 17, 2010 11:24 203.186.x.x
I just went here again today and they are using their own blend now (that's another story tongue), if you want to drink danes you have to go to SPK, trust me it worths all the hassle!
Boblam
68 Review(s)
Rising Gourmet
thks Feb 17, 2010 22:16 119.237.x.x
Their own blends. That sounds much more interesting. I will definitely drop by.

For the SPK shop, I like to but the location is sort of barrier to me. Would also like to try it though.
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HK Epicurus
1077 Review(s)
Elite Gourmet
Haha, Feb 15, 2010 17:29 219.78.x.x
Thought u added this shop man! Why took so long ? tongue

I actually suspect whether having the E61 Grouphead without the whole original assembly of Brewgroup will really aid Pre-infusion (or Pre-fusion as some others keep saying and I was in con-fusion!). I actually find this over-rated anyway - many machines with the full blown closed-circuitry feedback loops and sensors, can be adjusted for pre-infusion, some even do upto like 7 sec+ by default, though I think most do only around 3-4s. Although I do think the solid metallic set-up does hold much better consistent heat. (In my personal opinion, the E61 Grouphead on a semi or what some marketers sell incorrectly as an auto these days, is more about looks than real performance! But that's only me... think of how all that pressure is being exerted onto the grind-cake from 1 side rather than truly even.)

Although I guess using the Naked portafilter can reveal it all.
By the way not sure if u noticed but my Sunbeam runs half-a naked portafilter - I can see through into it though I didn't cut the hole bigger. Talk about geeks.... lol


BorisLee
18 Review(s)
Novice Gourmet
Geek 死人啦! Feb 17, 2010 11:27 203.186.x.x
tty on msn about all these on msn if I have time
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