Last weekI went to a coffee workshop at illy University of Coffee, a training barrista school headed by Marco Arrigo, who has trained a large number of barristas, restauranteurs and coffee enthusiasts to prepare, master and serve perfect world-class drinks.
The
course is designed to guide baristas, restaurateurs and coffee
enthusiasts to master the art of coffee preparation and serve
world-class drinks. – See more at:
http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/articles/9/6/2008/321369/illy-s-launches-university-of-coffee.htm#sthash.eJDz2Sgh.dpuf
course is designed to guide baristas, restaurateurs and coffee
enthusiasts to master the art of coffee preparation and serve
world-class drinks. – See more at:
http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/articles/9/6/2008/321369/illy-s-launches-university-of-coffee.htm#sthash.eJDz2Sgh.dpuf
The school was set up back 2008 in London, at the Design Business Centre in Islington. The evening was organised by fellow blogger TikiChris in partnership with illy. On my arrival I couldn’t take my eye of the magnificent coffee vintage (1961) espresso machine by Faema. What a beautiful design and robust piece of machinery.
espresso to kick off the evening in cups designed by the Illy family.
Francesco Illy founded illy caffe in Trieste, Italy back in 1933. We were told that every Illy cup contains the perfect balance of body and aroma. Illy’s single blend of 100% arabica beans is a selected mix of nine handpicked regions around the world, selected by their excellency in growing coffee. Each up contains very low 1.1 to 1.7% caffeine. illy coffee is proud of their sustainability. They care about their producers, their environmental, economic and social aspects.
Above is Marco explaining about illy and how to make the perfect espresso based drinks using illy’s commercial and domestic coffee machines. Both coffees prepared using the two different machines but with same results.
Above grounding the coffee beans and making espresso in the beautiful vintage coffee machine
Bellow right my efforts in making latte, cappuccino and macchiatos – need practice more!
some of the illy’s domestic coffee machines
Making espresso based hot drinks using the illy’s domestic coffee (Illy Francis X7.1), looking very professional at home
I love the sleek design look of the Illy Francis X7.1 (above), with a retro feel, shinny front and rubber dials. It uses iperEspresso capsule system to easily produce the perfect shot of espresso, short ristretto or a taller lungo. IperEspresso is a revolutionary new way to prepare true cafe-quality at home. This machine is combined with a adjustable milk steamer to create a thick and velvety frothed milk, making the ideal creamiest of cappuccinos and the silkiest of lattes.
I didn’t know anything about illy before this event and I was impressed by illy’s training school and how much there’s to learn about coffee and a bit of the science behind coffee making. I am looking forward to practice my new coffee skills at home.
I didn’t know anything about illy before this event and I was impressed by illy’s training school and how much there’s to learn about coffee and a bit of the science behind coffee making. I am looking forward to practice my new coffee skills at home.
we had a taste and explored the individual aroma of three single origin Arabica coffee varieties found on the legendary illy blend: Brazil – bitter strong round taste, Guatemala – a sweeter taste and Ethiopia – acidic and bitter, not my favourite.
How to make a proper espresso martini by Bee Bradsell from El Camion Soho
Ingredients:
50ml vodka
25ml espresso
10ml Tia Maria
15ml Kahlua
Simple syrup or sugar to taste
Method:
Shake all ingredients and strain over iced martini glasses
illy is available in 140 countries with over 200 illy coffee bar around the world and more than 20 University of Coffee locations worldwide.
Disclosure: I was a guest of illy University of Coffee. All views are my own.
I hope you're going to make those lovely patterns on every coffee you serve from now on! Looks great. x
Hi Nic, It's not as difficult as It looks but definitely need a bit of practising those patterns Rx