In Love Again never usually busy. Today packed.
An exquisite dessert and a cappuccino.
Posts Tagged ‘Taf’
In Love Again
February 26, 2023Taf
November 14, 2022A visit to taf.
Gem Series Dripper
December 12, 2020An alternative to V60 pour over designed by Stefanos Domatiotis.
Very negative comments attacking Gem, by people who probably have never seen let alone used and completely fail to understand why it has been developed.
I came across Gem series a year ago in Taf, then again in November in Cultivos. But not once seen in use.
Stefanos Domatiotis developed a different method of pour over using a V60. Clean the filter, allow to bloom, then pour in a circular manner, leaving a bed of coffee as flat as a billiard table. The method developed by Stefanos Domatiotis the steps are the same apart from the last step, hold the spout in the centre, a very fine stream of hot water.
When I first encountered this method, I queried the extraction, is not the whole purpose of the circular motion to ensure even extraction?
I was told no, by directing the water into the centre, even better extraction, the water flows down, then circulates up the side.
I tried and was not left with the classic flat bed. But, one difference I did not know, the grind is different either courser or finer, I cannot remember which.
What Stefanos Domatiotis has done in developing the Stefanos Domatiotis Gem series is to deskill the operation, less likely to produce a bad brew than if using a V60 with poor circular motion. By deskilling, we improve consistency and simplify the process of making great pour over coffee.
Wherever I was traveling… I couldn’t resist observing all sorts of people — coffee competitors, coffee professionals, baristas or consumers — making and drinking a brew. Pour-over has become increasingly popular, not only among coffee gurus, but also among consumers. People have fallen in love with brew and in all dimensions. The result hasn’t always been that good. Despite the fact that people were using great coffee beans, top class water, had amazing skills, enthusiasm and even some great devices that exist out there, the result was still a bit inconsistent. I was also seeing consumers who love brewing feel a bit intimidated from the result as they couldn’t have control over it.
And yes. could make a lid for a V60 with a hole in the middle. But would lack the vertical and horizonal ribs of Gem which help control the flow of water.
The 12 horizontal ribs are placed in the middle of the dripper to slow the water flow so it can contact the coffee for longer and carry away all its characteristics in a smooth way,. At the bottom part, you can find the vertical ribs. The deeper vertical ribs go down to the hole as now we need the water with the coffee to exit faster, preventing over-extraction that will end up in bitter flavours.
My criticism of European Coffee Trip they have not sufficiently explained the why of the design, had they done so maybe the critics would have understood better.
My other criticism, they should have brewed a V60 for comparison.
In Greek, but worth watching, the demonstration by Stefanos Domatiotis.
The white ceramic Gem series dripper has an optional extra of a matching diamond shaped glass carafe.
CupZ
November 26, 2020Three weeks ago Wednesday I passed by CupZ.
I have often passed by in the past and not given a second glance. Maybe unfair to describe as a greasy spoon cafe, last year serving commercial corporate coffee, certainly not a specialty coffee shop. Now serving taf.
Out of curiosity I stopped and tried a coffee. Weak and insipid. I poured it away.
Spoilt for choice in the vicinity for excellent coffee shops. Mokka, Foyer, Duo Goulies & Duo Mpoukies, Just Made 33 or walk to Taf which is not far away (and where ironically I had just been only to find closed).
Cappuccino at Taf
November 26, 2019Cappuccino at Taf.
I did not try the new pour over on display.
Looked in Mr Bean.
Now a cluster of three coffee shops Taf, Mr Bean, and a new coffee shop serving Sapid coffee.
Cappuccino at Taf
May 14, 2019As always, excellent cappuccino at Taf.
This year Taf celebrate ten years.
Cappuccino at Taf
October 30, 2017Coffee has not only to be good, it has to be consistently good.
Usually excellent cappuccino at Taf, today not so good.
Not obvious to the casual observer, there is grinding poverty on the streets of Athens, thanks to the destruction of Greece by the EU.
On the streets not only beggars, men selling small packets of tissues, akin to selling boxes of matches on the streets of London after WWI.
Sat in Taf, I noticed a man go past the tables outside pocketing the packets of sugar. On his second pass, hand out for money.
Cappuccino at Duo Goulies & Duo Mpoukies
October 30, 2017
Had I not been twice previous to Duo Goulies & Duo Mpoukies I would not have found, even though I was in the vicinity.
There is a church. I should have looked inside as the door was open. It was closed later.
Coffee has not only to be good, it has to be consistently good.
My last visit my cappuccino made by Tania. Today made by a guy and it was not so good.
I had something to eat, not great.
My yogurt topped with nuts and cranberies and honey poured on top was excellent.
Duo Goulies & Duo Mpoukies
October 27, 2017With difficulty, a few days ago, I managed to find Duo Goulies & Duo Mpoukies, only it was closed.
After a cappuccino at Taresso I decided to once again try and find, even though I was going to arrive close to closing time.
I managed to find, close to closing time.
They invited me in, said we are now closed, but it is ok, we close the door and pull down the shutters, but please order a drink as we are closing the machine.
Excellent food made by Nicos, excellent cappuccino from Greek latte art champion Tania whose awards line the shelves.
Although I regret to say I did not order excellent cheesecake, it looked good and tasted good.
Open and airy, very pleasant ambiance.
Coffee mags and other reading material to browse, often featuring Greek coffee shops and baristas, on one the front page World Barista champion Stefanos Domatiotis who I met at Taf, but not Standart which I recommended subscribe to.
Taf supply the coffee.
Once the coffee shop closed, we sat and chatted.
From outside, once closed, would never know it was there, which is why I had problems finding the first time, and even the second time.
A very discrete sign, nothing more.
When the shutters down, would not know it was there, and as I found, almost impossible to find.
And if look it up, find the Greek name Δυο γουλιές & δυο μπουκιές which means two sips and two bites, not as I had surmised the names of the owners.
Cappuccino at Taf
October 26, 2017
I had found Taf on Monday.
Tuesday most of the afternoon at The Acropolis, then a visit to the Roman Agora, I found my way to Taf, dropping off at at Just made 33 for one of their excellent sandwiches and instead of a coffee, excellent fresh lemonade.
A cappuccino. Also an excellent cake.
Their brew bar is offering coffee Q grade 90+ which is incredible.
Note: Anything over 80 is specialty coffee.
I was recommended try Mr Bean across the road.
Although closed, I was offered their cold brew to try. It was excellent.
A cold brew tower I had not seen before.
The following day, passing by Taf to visit Mr Bean, I learnt the barista who had served me, she was No 2 barista in Greece, and her award was one of those on the shelf.
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