Crema De La Crema – An Espresso Coffee Blog in Singapore

Oriole Coffee just announced their new Yellowbird seasonal espresso blend this Christmas week. Previous iterations of Yellowbird have been a duo-origin blend, Brazilian and Ethiopian, and this new YB follows in its ancestral footsteps. Made up of 20% Ethiopian Sidama, and 80% of a semi-washed Brazilian bean from Fazenda Machado, this YB proves to be another winner in… Continue reading

I was formerly a barista trainer at The Line Restaurant at Shangri-la Hotel. I quit rather than having to compromise on quality issues. Now, I’m a barista trainee at Oriole Coffee. Does this bother me? Let me elaborate ….

My work day starts at 7.00 am. I open up the Republic Plaza outlet of Oriole Coffee Espresso and Brew Bar together with my colleagues. I get to calibrate coffee that is… Continue reading

On this coming weekend of 14th, 15th May and on the next weekend of 21st, 22nd May, Oriole Coffee Roasters will be making Bodum French Press presentations at Takashimaya Shopping Centre at Ngee Ann City. The baristi instructing the Bodum French Press class are past Singapore National Barista Champions, John Ting (2008, 2009) and Keith Loh (2010).

Of special mention and also an update to this blog post is… Continue reading

The number one highlight of Singapore National Barista Championships 2011, held in conjunction with Tea & Coffee World Cup Singapore (for me) has to be Oriole Coffee Roasters’ brand spanking new espresso machine, the La Marzocco Strada! This is the first Strada to appear in Asia, according to May Soo of Wineberry, the La Marzocco distributor in Singapore. This is the Strada EP (Electronic Paddle).

I wrote a first draft of a post I extremely liked until the wee hours of this morning, but I felt I was straying from the subject heading too much, therefore, although I feel it should justly be the highlight of this entire event, I shall address it last instead.

For those heading out to Singapore National Barista Championships, running alongside Tea & Coffee World Cup Asia today and… Continue reading

Come and pit your latte art skills amongst cheap booze and fellow coffee compadres once again at Oriole’s now infamous Tuesday NIght Throwdown. (or you could just come for the cheap booze!)

5 Buckaroos per person
winner takes all + ultimate bragging rights!
other attractive prizes (wine, dining vouchers, e.t.c.)

knockout format. don’t be shy. all can play!

Ask your friends along! Remember: more participants = BIGGER… Continue reading

First of all, I would like to thank May Soo from Wineberry, the official La Marzocco distributor in Singapore for inviting me and Kai Seng to Food And Hotel Asia 2010 at Singapore Expo. The first thing we did after passing through the visitor registration process yesterday was heading to the La Marzocco booth at Hall 5C-8. The La Marzocco booth is also conveniently located opposite from the stage area… Continue reading

This is the video of Keith Loh’s (Oriole Cafe) winning performance during the Final Round of the Singapore National Barista Championship 2010. Keith went on to win the Championship and will be representing Singapore in the World Barista Championship held in London later this year.

Today, I came prepared, with my naked portafilter, a digital thermometer crippled from my Eric Svendson’s setup from home, and my Espro tamper.

While attention was focused on the latte art competition on the floor, I stole away to try my stint at the Rancilio Classe 6 unit at the door. A few points in summary:

My Rancilio naked portafilter locks in at 6 o clock

The… Continue reading

I’m awaiting for the SNBC competition to start. As with all other previous SNBC’s, there are the usual familiar faces:

Justin Metcalf, WBC certified judge and looks to be head judge of SNBC this year.

Victor Mah, head of Singapore Coffee Association, the organiser for SNBC.

Ross Bright, roaster at Spinelli Coffee and sponsor of this year’s Rancilio machines.

Danny Pang, past SNBCs’ finalist and of… Continue reading