espressobsessed Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 792 Location: Saskatoon, SK Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: La Marzocco GB5 Grinder: Mazzer Vac Pot: Hario Deco Drip: Swiss Gold/Ditting Roaster: 49th Parallel + Novo
Posted Fri May 21, 2004, 5:41pm Subject: The (sad) state of affairs in Saskatoon
I moved home from Victoria to Saskatoon yesterday. I must say, the landscape for high-quality espresso is shockingly bleak.
Our major coffeehouse, the Broadway Roastery, has been around for the better part of the 90s to present, however, they seem to enjoy roasting their coffee carbon-black! This leaves a handful of other coffeehouses, most using McQuarries (bad) or Canterbury (the absolute worst - I'd rather eat a dirty diaper).
One bright spot is a local micro-roaster, kaldikaffe, who just opened last year. His business partner is a friend of mine; his son is also a bike racer. The roast master, Najib, is from Lebanon, and has won awards in Europe for his work.
One of the cool possibilities is I most likely am going to create a formula to create my own espresso blend, to be marketed on my website (www.onecycling.ca) as a fundraiser for cycling.
So to make a long story short(er) the outlook for good espresso is, well, bad. But Saskatoon has potential. The city is quite cosmopolitan, and I suspect change is possible. Stay tuned.
I find myself often daydreaming about opening my own shop with a 2-group Marzocco Linea, two Mazzer Jollys, in a tiny location...
espressionist Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 327 Location: Edmonton Expertise: Professional
Espresso: FB-70 3 group Grinder: Swift Drip: Fetco Roaster: Intelligentsia
Posted Fri May 21, 2004, 8:18pm Subject: Re: The state of affairs in Saskatoon: one person's fight for better coffee!
Hi Jimmy :
You've moved back to Saskatoon (my former home town - can it possibly be 10 years!?!).
I remember chatting with you a month or so ago regarding the Broadway Roastery. Is it true that they don't have the quality I remember? Can it be like *$'s in the sense that I had my introduction to good espresso at the Roastery but now that I've had the absolute best (Intelligentsia, JJ Bean, Artigiano) that the bar has raised above the level they are producing?
Is the old saying true? "You can't go home again".
Try talking to Vince. I know he is serious about coffee but maybe he is roasting for the masses.
Good to know that there are some bright lights on the horizon in Saskatoon and maybe you can help make a difference.
I don't get back to Saskatoon as often as I used to now that my parents live on Vancouver Island and my wife's family is located here in Alberta (is anyone left in Saskatchewan??). I may be home at Christmas again this year so I'll try any cafes you recommend.
How's the racing season going for you (are you riding in Bike's on Braodway race this year?)
espressobsessed Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 792 Location: Saskatoon, SK Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: La Marzocco GB5 Grinder: Mazzer Vac Pot: Hario Deco Drip: Swiss Gold/Ditting Roaster: 49th Parallel + Novo
Posted Fri May 21, 2004, 9:40pm Subject: Re: The state of affairs in Saskatoon: one person's fight for better coffee!
Hi Geoff!
I too remember the thread you're talking about. Roastery is a great shop - they have that huge 4 group La Spaziale - but people are starting to notice that Roastery coffee has a "distinct carbon flavour." And I am not just talking about connoisseurs who take offense. My mechanic at the Bike Doctor, and even my parents have complained.
I will follow your suggestion though - I will talk with Vince.
Your theory, that our palates have become more refined, is a good one. It's a shame though it requires us spending $1000+ on equipment and bringing in beans from far-corners of the continent, just to know there is something better.
I'm going to have to talk with a few cafe owners before I can make any recommmends.
On the plus side, I may also become the marketer/salesperson for Kaldi Kaffe - so with some work, I may get a few cafés using our/their coffee on a trial basis. That would be a HUGE step forward for Saskatoon.
On a side note Bikes On Broadway is this weekend. The road race is going to be a circuit race in downtown Saskatoon. Up the broadway bridge, down broadway ave, then down Victoria Bridge. Should be exciting stuff!! I'll have photos on my site, for sure!
Thanks for the pointers. I'll see what Vince has to say.
espressobsessed Senior Member Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 792 Location: Saskatoon, SK Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: La Marzocco GB5 Grinder: Mazzer Vac Pot: Hario Deco Drip: Swiss Gold/Ditting Roaster: 49th Parallel + Novo
Posted Sat May 22, 2004, 11:33am Subject: Re: The state of affairs in Saskatoon: one person's fight for better coffee!
Some good news...
(I'm not sure who is reading this but) this seems too good to be true.
I just pulled a few shots from my Francis, using a Kaldi Kaffe blend that is supposed to be more than a week old. The shot had loads of crema and in the cappa I made, had lots of chocolate and caramel flavours. The brightness and sharp flavours may have been lacking - but if it's as old as they say it is, then well, not bad. The cappa compared well to Hines and perhaps even closer to Lighthouse. I'll have to try this in a straight espresso.
Now if Don Karnes gets that Rancilio Z11 up and running, I'll have a field day!! I'm convinced they would be pulling the best shots in Saskatoon (and hopefully I'll be that barista).
I'm very, very excited! Thanks for readin' - stay tuned!
This is encouraging to know that there may be a worthwhile stop for us (my wife needs her daily cup as much as I do) - post or e-mail the location if you get a chance.
Treat this guy well. The 1/10's add up at the end.
espressobsessed Said:
On a side note Bikes On Broadway is this weekend. The road race is going to be a circuit race in downtown Saskatoon. Up the broadway bridge, down broadway ave, then down Victoria Bridge. Should be exciting stuff!! I'll have photos on my site, for sure!
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 