THIRROUL UNEARTHED

Thirroul, nestled amongst the ferns under a canopy of red cedar and fig trees, overlooking glistening ocean and surrounded by a majestic escarpment was of little interest to me as a pre-teen, save that it was close to Jamberoo Recreation Park.* It was a little slow paced for my city slicker lifestyle – I was […]

THE PHILOSOPHY OF FRESH COFFEE

How did I get here? I thought. I was bereft, dumbstruck, barefoot and paralysed in the kitchen. The kettle had boiled, for what? I had no coffee. I am a barista, I write about coffee, I work for a coffee roastery, I live round the corner from another, yet I have no coffee. How did […]

THE MARRICKVILLE BEAT

January is a spectacular time to be in Sydney. There’s so much going on, so much time to do it, and the hoards have hit the roads to populate the north and south coasts, leaving the city with room to explore. Most of you need no introduction to Marrickville, a suburb with countless hidden gems […]

CAMPING COFFEE KIT

In the summer holidays, many of us choose places where we feel at one with nature, strip back to basics. Live the simple life. Where the daily responsibilities are swim, eat, nap eat, read, eat, swim (wait 20 minutes), read, sundowners, eat, card game, sleep. We ruminate philosophically to our friends that this is what […]

COFFEE TRENDS IN 2024

Articles on coffee trends should always be read with a pinch of salt, and not on an empty stomach. So grab a piece of avo on toast, grind a pinch of pink Murray River salt, and lets dive in. Cautiously, after checking the depth and wayward rocks and branches. MOVIN’ ON UP For you and […]

ANNUAL BLACK MARKET GIFT GUIDE

In previous years we’ve done gift guides based on your relationship with your giftee: parent, spouse, boss, secret santa lucky dip. But this year I decided I’ll just do it on dollars. Maybe you have a secret crush on your Kris Kringle recipient – who am I to limit your spending limit? Maybe your folks […]

TWO SILLY SEASON SPARKLE PUNCHES

TWO SILLY SEASON SPARKLE PUNCHES Here are two Christmas coffee punches using all seasonal ingredients. By which I mean ‘tis the season to be jolly, festive and sillier than usual, so we have two mulled coffee recipes using our seasonal Sparkle blend – one jolly and festive, the other jolly, festive and very silly. Because […]

A MARVELOUS MUG

During a recent chat with Matt, a graduate of our Accredited Barista Course, he began extolling the virtues of the green ceramic cups we use at Black Market. I agree, I think they’re great, and I now see I haven’t given them the time or appreciation they deserve. I will remedy that immediately. Coffee mugs […]

COFFEE AND CULTURE: A MAN CALLED OVE

A cantankerous white man has opinions about coffee and various other things.  ‘People didn’t know how to do that anymore, brew some proper coffee. In the same way as nowadays nobody could write with a pen. Because now it was all computers and espresso machines. And where was the world going if people couldn’t even […]

FORM VS/AND FUNCTION

In my family, the debate of form or function pops up more than perhaps is usual. It could be over clothes, a bridge, the layout of a menu, a hamburger. As the only ‘creative’ in a family dominated by engineers, my arguments on the advantages of form, its ability to ignite a connection, an emotional […]

FIKA IN JULY

When the sun sets two seconds after it rises, things can feel a little gloomy. The following are a few things that have been lighting a little fire in the hearth of my heart when I’m stuck with a day that’s grey and lonely. I just saw Annie: The Musical. It was great. There was […]

THE ARCHIES!

The Archibald has been announced! You were waiting on the edge of your seats weren’t you? Me too. Even though each time I feel like it comes around quicker than the paint’s had to dry. Very much like tax time. Nevertheless, it’s a welcome headline in the newspaper. Arts and Culture section. Which I’m sure […]