SPARKLE BLEND

We pack so much Christmas magic into each bag of Sparkle Blend it bursts at the buttons. Like Santa’s suit after a night on the mince pies and sherry. This batch is a blend of  Timor Leste Malabe and Ethiopia Sidamo, both naturals, which give a dazzling sweetness and depth to every cup. We’re getting […]

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 OF THE MONTH: INDIA : RATNAGIRI ESTATE

Ratnagiri Estate is located in the Baba Budan Mountain Range in the Western Ghats. It is the area where coffee was first planted in India by Bababudan (a pilgrim from Yemen who becomes so infatuated with the ‘magical plant’ that he sneaks coffee seeds in his beard to other regions). We love this story and […]

FIKA: FESTIVAL EDITION!

April is the month of public holidays. The month of which immersing oneself into the minutiae of time management, reviewing of pay slips, improving schedule efficiency, dissecting interstate migration patterns and corresponding financial fluctuations brings joy and exhilaration to millions of Australians across the land as they find the perfect combination of maximum time off, […]

COFFEE OF MARCH: TANZANIA MT KILIMANJARO

One day I’d like to climb this mountain. It is the highest mountain in Africa and stands 4900 meters tall above its plateau base. I like a challenge and a breathtaking view, and it is only more alluring when I consider strolling through this coffee plantation on my way up. The Mt Kilimanjaro coffee plantation […]

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 […]

COFFEE OF THE MONTH: INDONESIA

Blue Bianca Indonesia Year after year these guys produce amazing coffee. So it’s no surprise that we have it in the mix again on our 2022 line-up.  The wet-hulled processing method is unique to Indonesia and imparts flavours onto the coffee that are distinct.  The slightly fermented or pleasantly funky notes add a bit of […]

COFFEE OF OCTOBER – RWANDA INTANGO

Since cupping this coffee back in March I’ve been super excited to get my hands on it.  If I was going to turn my cupping notes into a legible sentence, it would read something like this.  “A warm mixed berry pie has just been pulled from the oven and sits cooling on the kitchen bench, […]

Five Gift Ideas for a Coffeeholic

Ah, Christmas. It’s a magical time of year, yet it always seems to creep up on you until you’re suddenly scrambling for present ideas. You need to find a good balance of getting something thoughtful, but not too out of budget. We all know someone that appreciates coffee – let’s be honest, most of us […]