As an amateur barista who’s been through 7 home espresso machines in a dozen years I understand the appeal of a foolproof model that makes you the same beautiful espresso every day. With most semiautomatic machines you need to get the beans, grind, measure and tamping pressure just right and then hope the machine’s volatile [...]

The technique used by Rome’s renowned Caffè Sant’Eustachio to produce an astoundingly thick, foamy head of crema atop its signature Gran Caffè is a closely guarded secret. Screens on each side of the Astoria espresso machines block the view of nosey cafenatics seeking a peek at any covert manoeuvres performed by the baristas. [...]

first espresso of the morning, Caffè Sant’Eustachio, Rome

The new ER near Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children employs some unorthodox methods for treating its patients: The nutrient drip comes from a La Marzocco espresso machine, not an IV apparatus. The restorative substance, C8H10N4O2, is contained in coffee beans from the London roaster Square Mile, not prescription medicines. And periodic doses of this made-to-order [...]

Rather than violate the civil liberties of a law-abiding British citizen I would prefer that Gwilym Davies voluntarily strap a GPS tracking bracelet to his ankle. But if the 2009 World Barista Champion refuses to help us trace his movements via GPS or constant twitter updates I may soon have to ask my man at [...]

When travelling across nations or neighborhoods I revel in the long detour for the indelible delight. My willingness to wreck itineraries and rile companions for a nibble of potentially life-changing apple strudel partly explains my reputation amongst those who know me best as a deviant.

Since Londoner Gwilym Davies was crowned World Barista Champion my inbox has been clogged with the same two questions: Where can I find him pulling shots and why wasn’t he included in my roundup of the top 10 coffee shops in London?

New World know-how and joviality continue to invigorate London’s coffee landscape. Baristas from Australia and New Zealand transform waves of rich espresso and smoothly textured steamed milk into lattes so velvety you can barely see a bubble.
Yet it’s home-grown talent that represents the cream of the crema: Two of the last three World Barista Champions [...]

Whenever in London you can congratulate 2009 British and now World Barista Champion Gwilym Davies in person – and have a great coffee while you’re at it. Gwilym pulls his award-winning shots from an espresso cart parked at the Whitecross Street Market on weekdays (mornings through lunch) and behind the Columbia Road Flower Market on Sunday [...]