FIKA: AUGUST EDIITON

We did a little spotlight on the Yemeni coffee scene this month (check it out here) and I thought, since the middle eastern, hot dusty vibe is one of my all time favourite wavelengths, I’ll just roll it on into this month’s fika too. It’s tasty, and it’s warm. Eat. The Middle East has delightfully […]

COSTA RICA : COFFEE OF AUGUST

The Santuario project have been innovators in coffee processing. This lot was soaked in a juice made from coffee cherries before pulping, a process which is said to jump start the flavour development, it is then pulped retaining 65% of the pectin fruit layer and then dried (black honey process). If this wasn’t unique enough […]

THE MAGICAL INDUSTRIAL COFFEE SHOP

A good Industrial estate is a magical place. I’m not exaggerating when I compare it to Wonderland on the other end of the rabbit hole, or even more fittingly, Hogwarts.  From the outside, (the muggle) perspective, the industrial estate seems a bland, grey, indistinct, characterless conglomerate where the only colour and movement comes from hi-vis […]

COFFEE OF THE MONTH: RWANDA NYAKABANDE

Nyakabande Washing Station: Washed Grown by small-holder farmers this coffee is sweet, rich, and smooth and delivers everything you need for your morning brew. A touch of fruit and delicious chocolatey base notes carry through from the start to the end. Slow brews will open up the profile and accentuate the fruit whilst espresso will be […]

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, […]

What’s Happening at Black Market?

OUR NEW WAREHOUSE The BIG news is that we have a new warehouse! The site is 420m2 and will allow us to finally bring everything under one roof.  Whilst it’s a big empty space at the moment we love the vibe in here.  It has lots of natural light, nice double height ceilings in the […]

Reflecting on the Challenges of Latte Art

Do you remember when you poured your first fire breathing dragon flying over the oriental mountains under a starry sky from nothing but the most perfectly textured milk? Yeah me neither. But I do remember as a young Padawan barista the slow arduous journey of latte art. It’s a long way from dumping that frothy […]

Black Market Single Origins

  PNG TIMOR LESTE Bright Roast Waghi Valley Washed Lutlala Natural Yirgacheffe Kigibah estate sits in the stunning Waghi Valley of the Western Highlands surrounded by towering dark blue mountains. The estate is run by Bill Gardner, an Australian born, raised in PNG. As well as processing his coffee grown at Kigibah, Bill engages with […]