Latte Art Heart

I am thankful

I am thankful for living in an eclectic area of town, East Vancouver, on the best street Commercial Drive.

I am thankful for living near my family and the support I have received when I broke my leg skiing.

I am thankful for living in a city that has such a dedicated coffee culture. A place where I can visit three amazing cafes without batting an eyelash. A town where you’ll see dedicated owners up at the crack of dawn pulling shots to make sure the espresso is the best it can be, and not sacrificing quality for profit.

I am thankful that the great cafes are just the public face of the caffeinated culture that is somewhat behind the scenes for those who might be unaware of its influence.

Two things have led me to this conclusion.

The Canadian Barista Championships at the Canadian Coffee and Tea Show were held in Vancouver. To see such a large collection of coffee enthusiasts all in one place for a first timer really showed me how much Vancouver really has to be thankful for. From the Piccolo clan to the Jones brothers from Banks Thomas to Spencer Viehweger. They were all in attendance. For a first timer like myself it was an impressive display of just how much Vancouver is involved with coffee.

The second came a couple weeks ago at a Coffee Lab near you.

Chris Giannakos, left, pours Nathan Slabaugh a cup. Photo by Mark Prince.

I went to Mark Prince’s new coffee lab for an inaugural coffee tasting. It was one of the best collections of coffee sampling I had ever seen.

Phil and Sebastian Kenya Kiru Co-op, left, PT’s Panama Elida Estate, Doma Costa Rica, Counter Culture AIDA Grand Reserve, Counter Culture Hacienda Esmeralda Special

But more than that the amazing collection of coffee was the eclectic group of people in attendance for the inaugural tasting. From baristas to bakers to bloggers. It was a diverse collection of coffee aficionados who were all bringing a different viewpoint to the cupping table.

It was one of the most enjoyable coffee experiences I have had. All the little pieces fell right into place. I also feel that this variety of people would be hard to find in a less coffee-centric locale. Check out the video below from my new youtube channel.

And then here is when you say, “Rob you’re in the know, normal coffee drinkers wouldn’t get this type of opportunity.” Well, I beg to differ and here is why. I run this blog so you can  learn more about coffee. I am here to tell you that these experiences aren’t for the in-the-know of coffee.

Coming in the new year Mark Prince is opening up his coffee lab to courses for the consumer and I only know Vancouver will benefit from this. He will also be teaching people how to make great coffee on machines you’ll be able to afford. So if you can’t afford the $5k Speedster that’s OK  ( p.s. neither can I ).  His classes will be centered around how to make great cups at home.

After attending a number of his tastings at the Bump and Grind a couple years ago and attending a number of his cuppings at the Lab I have only benefited from the vast amount of knowledge in this  geek’s head.

I’ll post a link when his lab is up and running, and hope to take a few classes myself.

p.s. Here is a list of twitters that were in attendance. (My apologies if I have missed anyone)

@circuscoffee
@peter_van
@kafkascoffeetea
@casualbaker
@thecafeguide
@Coffeevancouver
@GI_Spro
@CoffeeGeek

Strait Coffee Traders in Wilson Creek

Before I go to Seattle I took a trip home for Christmas.

This time I decided to check out the Strait Coffee in the little neighbourhood of Wilson Creek just 15 minutes outside Sechelt.
The little cafe has been operating since 1995 in the small little mini mall located just off highway 101.

Owners of the little cafe have ebbed and flowed through much like the tide of this coast community but it wasn’t until current owner Grace Bland (Yes her last name is really bland) that this little cafe really took quality wise.

Brassy Bean dispensers

Anything but bland. . .

The cafe now roasts their own beans and supplies all  four Wheatberries locations. They also service most of the grocery stores on the coast with whole beans and a few other cafes I have yet to find. The wholesale business is locally based and uses  fair trade certification with customers from Whitehorse to Saskatchewan.

While I am home on the coast I go to either Strait or Wheatberries for the best dry cappuccinos’ on the planet. I am sure it is just the relaxed atmosphere or the fact I am usually on vacation when I am hear but I love to sit and savour the absolute best micro foam. ( I usually like it with a slight hint of vanilla sugar on top)

Latte Artist

This cafe is also home to quite the latte artist. Now for as seasoned “Drive” veteran like myself latte art is nothing new, the leafs, hearts, are the old school versions of this art foam. But (yes a different Grace) has done something completely different with her skills. Watch the video below.

Bazinett, 25, has been a barista for about five years working in Vancouver, Alberta and now Sechelt, one day was pouring a latte and saw that the foam resembled a face. She then took the spoon and began drawing in the foam, an artist outside the cafe she always enjoyed drawing so this just came naturally.

Grace Bazinett Latte Art

Grace and Grace can usually found behind the counter in the mornings four to five days a week.

Update March 2009 ~ I recent had an Americano at Strait Coffee Traders and it was the best coffee of my recent trip home. If you are in the area and it is sunny and warm I would certainly suggest grabbing 12 oz. Americano, one of their white chocolate brownies and head up to Cliff Gilker Park in Robert Creek, you will certainly enjoy it, I did.

Faces and Places

Where this blog was written: Strait Coffee
Drink ordered: Medium Dry Cappuccino (16 oz with foam)
Discount of own to-go cup: medium for a price of a small
Barista Knowledge: Decent
Barista friendliness: good
Website: www.straitcoffee.ca