Barista Training at Paulig Institute

Coffee keeps fascinating me. I am addicted to the taste of coffee but also the whole coffee culture interests me more and more all the time. Over the years I have traveled around the world and drunk different kind of coffee in so many memorable places. Many times I choose my holiday destinations just because of coffee and I always want to tour the local coffee shops. At home and at the office coffee is an essential part of my days. I have read books about coffee and bought different type of coffee makers to enjoy this wonderful drink. 

With a constantly growing need to learn more about coffee I decided to attend a professional barista training. The training was a one day course ”Barista basics” organized by the Paulig Institute at their head office and roastery in Vuosaari, Helsinki. The day started early but the sleepiness was soon gone due to the amazing morning coffee serving from the famous Paulig golden coffee cups! Honestly, it felt somewhat unreal drinking coffee from the iconic golden cups.  I must say I felt a little nervous holding the cup knowing that the cups (Arabia, Myrna) are exclusively made for Paulig and that they are now longer being made – you don’t want to drop a cup like that!

The training was divided in two parts: first theory lessons in the morning and then practical hands-on training in the afternoon. The theory part was a good introduction to where coffee comes from, how it it processed and roasted, and how good coffee is prepared. The day included also two cupping sessions.  

The practical training started with espresso brewing. After getting the espresso right it was time to move on to other espresso based drinks - cappuccino, caffe latte and latte macchiato. For these drinks it was important to learn how to prepare and pour the milk foam. Although I have an espresso machine at home it was very different to use the bigger professional machine. Actually with the right good machine it felt easier to get a good result. Well, except for the latte art – for that I still need some practice. Anyway it was so much fun making the cappuccinos that I could have continued the whole night! Other participants at the course seemed to feel the same since the trainers had to ask us to stop several times. The day ended with a practical lesson of the maintenance of the grinder and the espresso machine as clean machines are an absolute prerequisite for making good coffee. 

For the first round of cappuccinos the latte art was pretty "original" but at the end of the day the caffe latte and cappucinos looked a little more professional. 

Suomeksi (In Finnish)

Pauligin Baristan perusteet –kurssilla oppimassa lisää kahvista ja harjoittelemassa espresson, cappuccinon ja caffe latten oikeaoppista valmistusta. 

Classics in Brussels: Belgian Chocolate and Waffles

Belgium is known for chocolate, mussels, and waffles. Naturally on my visit to Brussels I had to taste all of these Belgian classics. It was interesting to find out how the city had certain areas focused on one thing, especially the chocolatiers were centred around the Grand Sablon square. The square is next to Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon Church - a Gothic style church from the 15th century.

This beautiful square has houses from the 16th to the 19th century and it is rounded with antiques shops, restaurants and many many chocolatiers. For all chocolate lovers this is the place to go. Here you find Wittamer, Chocolaterier Pierre Marcolini, Patrick Roger, Godiva, Neuhaus and others all on the same square. The selection of pralines available on this square is like nowhere else!

My choice for coffee and cake was Wittamer - a bakery, chocolatier and a café dating back to 1910. Wittamer has been awarded the title of Certified Royal Warrant Holder of Belgium. Maybe it was my imagination but I also felt like Royalty when having a cappuccino and a delicious coffee flavour cake on their sunny terrace while enjoying the architecture of the square.

One great chocolatier you don’t find on the Grand Sablon square but is definite forth visiting is Chocolatier Frederic Blondeel located on the Brussels' Fish Market (metro Sainte Catherine). At the Fish Market area there are a variety of great restaurants offering fresh fish dishes and those famous mussels. Frederic Blondeel’s café and chocolate shop was a perfect place for dessert after having mussels. I ordered the Belgian waffles with whipped cream and a cappuccino. The waffles were made from the beginning after my order (unlike in many touristic places on the shopping street). I had to wait for my waffles for a while but it was definitely worth the wait – it was the best waffles I have ever had! The taste and texture of the waffle were amazing – so soft and crispy at the same time. They also have wonderful ice-creams and a large selection of chocolates available.Naturally I was not able resist their super delicious pralines – I bought a box or two :)

Wittamer

 Place du Grand Sablon, 

Brussels, Belgium

Frederic Blondeel

Quai aux Briques 24

Brussels, Belgium

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Hammock Cafe in Warsaw's Coolest Library

Hammocks remind me of holiday, lazy days and summer. What could be more relaxing than reading a good book on a summer day in a hammock? Well, perhaps drinking coffee while swinging in a hammock?

In Warsaw at the University of Warsaw’s Library building there is a café where the seats are hammock swings that dangle from the ceiling. The concept is brilliant but not unique – there are at least a few famous hammock cafes in Japan. The café in Warsaw is called Fenomenalna Crepes & Café and they serve sweet and savoury crepes and other light snacks and drinks. The place used to be called “Sin Frontereas Café” as it still says in their coffee cups. At the café there are also regular chairs available. I think it is a wise idea since they serve food – it is not that easy to eat and swing in a hammock at the same time. Even with coffee it was a little challenging.

The University Library itself is a very modern. The building was designed by architects Marek Budzyński and Zbigniew Badowski and opened in 1999. Glass and steel are distinctive features of the Library’s architecture. The interior has a feeling of space and interior design is very minimalist. The Library garden, designed by Irena Bajerska, is located on the roof of the building. It is one of the largest roof gardens in Europe and definitely worth a visit. Seems like it is quite fun to be a student here - during breaks you can swing in a hammock or enjoy outdoors on the roof garden.

Fenomenalna Crepes & Cafe

Dobra 56/66 (University Library)

Warsaw, Poland