It was extraordinary. People were much more open this time, too - perhaps because I knew a little more, and also probably because I was young & by myself.

Rather less impressed by St Ali/Sensory (but did have cold drip there). Doesn't seem like such a happy place. Seven Seeds was even better than I remember. Missed weekly cupping with Mark by ten minutes, though. Coffee Supreme were super-generous. Proud Mary excellent, as usual. But Market Lane is definitely the space to watch.

A lot of interesting, if a little sick-in-the-stomach-feeling-making Slayer-talk, too.

And I have detailed notes on every place I visited (eight in all), every coffee I tried (about two dozen), and every utterance of every single person I met. So you will have to come down to Shenkin in Erskineville and we will discuss over a nice, warm, Cyncre-prepared cup of WHO THE HELL IS HENRY BRINK????? (Black? of crave coffee. yes I know - where? It's in Alexandria.)

No worries Tristram, let me know (well in advance if possible ;p) and I can put something together for you to make sure you get off the beaten track and see some really worthwhile small holder lots. My advice would be OK see the Govt owned estates, they have historical value, but they are not where the quality arabica is being produced.

Good on ya, enjoy the trip. Dont buy any of the roasted coffee they sell- often (believe it or not) its arabica blended with robusta! Crazy on the surface coming from a seemingly reputable plantation, but in reality I think the local roaster may be fiddling things a bit.

nice video's/ pours.

Indeed anywhere East or West of Bali would be more useful for you in my opinion! We are based outside of Jakarta- the 3 cafes we involved with are in jakarta- roasting is done in Sentul, West Java... not too far from Jakarta

Hi Tristam. Not wanting to put too much of a downer on it... but I am not a big fan of Bali as a quality origin. In fact it is pretty rare I actually work with Bali Arabicas. In saying that, you can still ave a look around of course. I guess the Shinzan (Japanese owned) plantation near Kintamani is best known for reaonable Arabica. You could also look around the Bratur and Gunung Agung areas. There is plenty of small holder and small plantation to see. I do have a Kiwi friend who has just came back from a visit there, he too kind of reinforced my thoughts on the quality of what is coming out of there at prsent. Good luck!

great work
beautiful latte art for sure

don't know about a cafe near you but can I comment on the beautiful latte art you have!

Hahaha, indeed you know us roasters, we would rather be subjected to the evilest forms of torture than to divulge the secrets of our espresso blends! I can say that probably tere would be some PNG Estate grown arabica in the blend> a Mt Willhelm or Mt Hagen for sure. PNG and Indonesian Papua Arabicas have great body, touches of stone fruit (apricot and nectarine specifically) as well as honey suckle cupping qualities. I like the sweetness these coffees add to an espresso blend.

All the other Indonesian origins are vastly different. One of the reasons I live and roast here is the differences in the sub-origins are so marked, you have all the coffee resources you need at your finger tips! Hey, come up for a trip...I dont mind showing you around.

Gidday Tristram, thanks for the comment. The beauty of the Indonesian Origins is the huge difference in the cup, even from origins that are as geographically close as say Aceh (Takengon), Lintong, SidiKalang and Mandehling. This is true throughout the Archepeligo. The Arabicas from Papua New Guinea do have some similarities to those found on the highlands of Indonesian Papua. Which PNG coffees are you dealing with??

Very beautiful work!

How did they taste?