TOOLS
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
A COFFEE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
The best part of gift giving is the spreading of Christmas cheer. The worst part is Christmas shopping. It is a decidedly uncheerful time of carpark duels, frenetic bells jingling in carols like a ticking time bomb, and withstanding the arctic glower of the overworked shop assistant. Let us help you make this time less […]
CAFE OFFICE ETIQUETTE
Even though people are returning to the office, many of you were able to swing a few WFH days, which you have cleverly converted to WFTC (work from the cafe) days. If you are one of these clever ones, you’ll already have a grasp of what is acceptable practice. But for those who are looking […]
SELF PROPHETIC CHAIRS
I went to a dumpling bar the other week, and other than I like dumplings (and bao buns), the chairs were the winning factor in choosing this restaurant over the ramen bar next to it, or the Mexican joint a few stalls down. This is big. I really like dumplings, but I am existentially enraptured […]
FIKA: MARCH EDITION
Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. I reckon it’s in my top four. Truly, I love it that much. I’ve just found out that most of my favourite veggies are in season this time of year. Sadly I didn’t know this earlier because of our access to all things all the time, but maybe […]
FIKA FOR MY FAVOURITE SEASON
I know not all of us are summer people, and I used to be one of those. But now I’m not not a summer person, January is my favourite. Yes it’s hot and sticky and blah blah I don’t want to hear it because think of those loooong afternoons! There’s no errands to run, just […]
We give you the gift of a gift guide!
I’m terrible at thinking of good presents for my loved ones. General acquaintances are no problem – here, have some shortbread. Merry Christmas and be on your way. But loved ones are tricky. Actually caring about the person can make for a burdensome shopping experience. Do you get them something they need or something they […]
WHAT COFFEE DO YOU WANT?
You think you want a coffee, but it’s a big world of coffee out there and your decision making facilities haven’t had the caffeine required to fire them up. Here’s your proxy coffee decider. Feel free to print out a copy to have on hand for when you’re second in line in the cafe queue […]
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