The State Buildings

As I am far too excited to share photographs of my wanderings in the recently renovated and refitted State Buildings, you will find a lack of words. Have yourself a wander through the beautiful floors, visit the local businesses of Sue Lewis - Chocolatier, Clean Slate, Flowers by Aneura and Ginger B.

Pop yourself a bottle at Petition Wine Bar and Merchant, or get someone to pop one for you at Halford, Post or Petition Kitchen. You might opt for a cup of tea at Como the Treasury while viewing limited edition prints of the Cape Arid Collection in the Treasury Lounge and Bar. After you're done drinking, swing by Long Chim and Petition for a bite to eat. 

How Perth is Bringing Specialty Coffee Back

Last year was a monumental year for Perth coffee. A number of new coffee shops and roasters opened across the city. People became increasingly receptive to the idea that coffee could transcend the mundanity of generic, roasty muck. The idea that a cup of coffee could express a hugely diverse range of characteristics depending on origin, process, roast style and brew method. The idea that coffee could be specialty.

In contrast, this year has been one of consolidation. Existing players on the Perth coffee scene have taken their game to the next level, using their successful brands to bring a better quality product to the coffee-drinking masses. Loaded Coffee Roasters, for example, have grown from a small off-shoot of the original Elixir coffee juggernaut to one of the major specialty roasters in Perth.

But what is specialty coffee and why is it important for Perth? There are many definitions thrown around, but specialty coffee essentially boils down to one concept: helping a single coffee bean to reach its drinking potential. That may sound a bit stupid, but it’s a concept at the heart of a huge coffee movement sweeping the globe, from Melbourne to London to New York to little ol’ Perth. It’s often called the Third Wave.

Specialty coffee is about maximising quality from plant to cup, and then letting people know about it. Australian coffee importers nurture strong relationships with individual farms to encourage high standards in the growing, harvesting and processing of coffee. Coffee roasters develop customised ‘roast profiles’ for each coffee to highlight particular characteristics like, for example, sweet berry notes. Finally, the barista extracts the ground coffee using hot water in a manner that expresses the full potential of the coffee.

This point, extraction, is the most familiar part for most people. But how many Perth people call themselves ‘coffee addicts’ without actually understanding what they drink?

You walk into a coffee shop, order a flat white, and your barista produces a delicious coffee. That’s great, but where did your coffee actually come from? It’s likely that your barista used an ‘espresso blend’ - a combination of different coffees roasted for espresso-style brewing. It might be ten coffees from ten different Brazilian farms, or perhaps half Ethiopian and half Colombian. Each blend offers different characteristics and different levels of quality.

It gets even more confusing. Blend coffees will be processed in different ways - they might be fermented and washed, or dried in the sun. Coffees might be packed and shipped using sophisticated methods, or sit festering in a warehouse for years. You can’t be expected to know everything, of course, but perhaps take some time to ask your barista what you are drinking every morning. 

Second, why did you order a flat white? Do you know what a flat white is? For many Australians it’s just a ‘normal coffee’, but it was only introduced to the mainstream American public by Starbucks last year!

Generally speaking, a flat white is an espresso combined with steamed milk served in a 6oz cup. An espresso is made by pumping a small amount of pressurised hot water through finely-ground coffee. The result is an intense, heavily-concentrated extraction. The barista dilutes the espresso with cow’s milk, which is heated to around 63 degrees celcius to produce a sweet beverage with a creamy mouthfeel. 

Flat whites sound delicious, and they are. But why are they delicious? Does the combination of chocolate notes in the coffee and the thick, sweet milk taste like a chocolate milk shake? Or maybe the berry notes produce a strawberries ’n cream effect?

Tasting notes are a bit technical, but essentially what we are looking for in any coffee are four main things: sweetness, acidity, body and how those three characteristics balance against each other.

Sweetness comes from the natural sugars in the coffee bean that are developed in the roasting process, and the breakdown of lactose in steamed milk. The sweeter the better. Acidity is a desirable characteristic which gives coffee a bit of zing! and dimension, like a refreshing lemon taste. Body is how the coffee actually feels in your mouth and how it carries flavour and acidity. Coffee may be light and juicy, or full and creamy.

Also remember that there are many different methods of brewing and serving coffee. Filter coffee, for example, is much less diluted than espresso, which can often express more complex and delicate flavours. Next time you order a coffee, why not ask the barista’s recommendation?

On that note let’s highlight some excellent coffee shops across Perth:

Central

Perth CBD coffee has improved significantly over the past couple of years. Standing Room Only in Piccadilly Arcade continues to serve great specialty coffee from Melbourne roaster Small Batch, whereas La Veen Espresso has become the flagship for local roaster Five Senses. In West Perth, Gordon St Garage continues its partnership with in-house roaster Mano a Mano to offer a range of well-sourced coffees from Central America and East Africa.

North

A year and a half after opening, Addison & Steele Specialty Coffee rules the northern end of town, with a range of coffees from Small Batch offered through multiple brew methods. A great excursion for those who enjoy the theatre of coffee. In Mount Hawthorn, Humblebee Coffee runs a modest but brilliant cafe-roastery which punches well above its wait for a small suburban establishment. Try the filter coffee. The newest addition is Pixel Coffee Brewers in Leederville, which has finally brought high-quality specialty coffee to the Oxford St strip (no more Greens n’ Co, please).

West

In the western suburbs Architects & Heroes has given people a reason to visit Subiaco, offering a range of coffees from Melbourne roaster Code Black including filter coffee made with the Steampunk brewing system. It will blow your mind. Felix & Co is another small but spritely suburban coffee shop on Hampden Rd which offers a curated selection of coffees from both Perth and Melbourne roasters.

East

Bossman Coffee on Beaufort St serves local roaster Twin Peaks in a secluded arcade, but the challenge for the over-gentrified Mount Lawley is offering more specialty coffee along the strip! A work in progress.

South

South of the river has long been a wasteland for specialty coffee until Sprolo turned up, with partners Blacklist Coffee Roasters. There’s a passionate team of coffee lovers who are taking the southern suburbs by storm. Yes, the name is a combination of spro (as in, espresso) and YOLO.

As you can see there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the Perth coffee scene. And what’s the key driver? You. Perth coffee is only as good as the customers who ask, question and challenge coffee professionals. Next time you order a coffee, ask where it came from. Ask how it’s really made. Channel your custom to the coffee businesses who are driven by quality, not profit. The businesses who actually care about where coffee comes from and how they can deliver the best possible product. Make your experience one that is truly specialty.

Tom is a long-time coffee drinker who has dabbled in coffee industries in Australia and the UK. He runs a blog called Perth Coffee Project.

Beans and Bunches - Posy Workshop

The lovely Stacey, owner of Beans and Bunches has a penchant for blooms. When she's not at her florist shop, listening to groovy tunes from her husband's record store out back, she's holding workshops. 

When I stumbled across her Posy Workshop, I knew I had to get myself a ticket. I have known Stacey for a year or so now and after she made my beautiful table bouquets for my birthday last year, I knew her workshop would be all kinds of lovely. Stacey creates some amazing bouquets for all kinds of occasions, be they for formal functions, weddings or birthdays they are not pretty bouquets to miss. 

Daphne Cafe was a beautiful and sweet smelling place to be that Sunday afternoon. Stems of ranunculus and gum sat in metal buckets on top of tables and although they weren't arranged in any particular way, looked beautiful enough as they were. It was hard to imagine that we could further perfect what was sitting in the buckets awaiting our clippers. 

As the workshop commenced, we soon found out that we could pull together these somewhat beautifully haphazard stems into a sweet posy. The workshop was a lovely and super chill way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Many of the girls dug into a crispy croissant and an amazing afternoon coffee from Daphne's, only before soon settling into stripping back leaves and figuring out just how big they wanted their posy to be.

We learnt how to strip back our stems and why it was so important to, learnt about height and how to get that nicely spiralled posy. After that, it was time to learn how to wrap it. (It's not as easy as you think!)

Incredibly talented and passionate about flowers, Stacey has a lot to teach about what is required to create the perfect posy. Influenced by natural aesthetic and organic state, Stacey utilises the local botanics and clearly defines how colour, texture and shape work in unison. Head over to her website or Facebook page if you'd like to find when her next workshop is, or visit her in store for a beautiful bouquet. Don't forget to hit up Daphne for a good cup of coffee and some sun in the summer. 

Beans and Bunches
Shop 3 Arcade, 189 William St
Northbridge WA 6003

Hikefolk - Ellis Brook Valley

4am. I wasn't sure if I would be able to wake myself from sleep. Matthew was up and waiting for me at the door, flannel on and shorts to match, yelling out that the sun waits for no one. After a half hour bleary eyed drive to Ellis Brook Valley, Htet, Rhianna and I found ourselves freezing but happily crammed ourselves into Matthew's car while we waited for Jinn and Sarah. 

Apart from being crispy and cold, the sky was clear and the views were far from disappointing. There were plenty of wildflowers in full bloom and rows and rows of banksia trees. A tiny but distinct Perth Skyline sat in a purple haze. The old quarry was particularly fun and  made for amazing photographs. Many of us honed our rusty rock climbing skills and banana throwing/catching abilities. Jumping across puddles is also much harder than you think. 

I've met a fair share of people and can say that moments are special due to the people whom you share them with. Only so few would be willing to wake up at dawn and chase the sun. It's terribly cliche but there is certainly some truth in it. 

Ellis Brook Valley is located in Gosnells and is home to many trail walks. The 60 ft falls walk is one of them. Unfortunately as it had been a dry winter, the waterfall wasn't as splendid as it should have been but the other views more than made up for it.

And yes, Socality Barbie - when people go on morning hikes it's not unusual to bring along a flask of coffee and drink it on a rock in an abandoned quarry.

Akira Isogawa - TPFF 2015

I almost feel as though Akira Isogawa's work needs no explanation as they speak for themselves. There is so much brevity in his experimental, contemporary designs that require nothing more than appreciation. For many, his designs evoked an almost spiritual zen - an atmosphere and calm that emanated from the TPFF catwalk last Saturday night. Models stepped slowly across the catwalk to calm melodies while leaves gently fell on a screen behind them. Apart from the music and the sounds of cameras, Fashion Paramount was quiet, with members of the audience captivated and engrossed in the display of craftsmanship before them. 

Akira is innovative, cheeky and masterful. His designs possess elements of both the modern and traditional and with that it is no surprise his collection is influenced by his Japanese heritage. The designs themselves are stunning in real life, the models were adorned in ruffles, silks and embroidered flowers. All wore sneakers. 

The models walked out balancing floral head pieces and others wearing glasses made of orchids, adorned in a beautiful collection that spoke innovation and simplicity. Red was a prominent feature and although poignant, did not overshadow other subdued colours. Textures and materials were layered and otherwise seemingly strong colours blended beautifully - reminiscent of kimono. The garments were broken up with finer details of embroidered flowers and stitching. 

Akira's masterful collection was one that captivated the audience and will no doubt transgress to those who visit his collection in Claremont Quarter. There was so much fluidity in his collection and would not cease to inspire others, particularly across a spectrum of other personal styles and tastes. A magical night that was much talked about once closing. 

International Runway: Phuong My TPFF 2015

After her beautiful Spring '15 collection, Phuong My (pronounced Me) was a fashion walk I was dearly looking forward to. Sure enough, it delivered. Symmetrical and asymmetrical designs flowed onto the jet black runway, of which was broken up with geometric rose petals somewhat resembling romantic getaways with loved ones. I suppose that's what Phuong's collection was about - romance. 

Eva Scolaro's voice filled up the room with her strong melodic vocals, singing tunes of jazz and blues. Keynote renditions of Fever and Feeling Good accompanied the models down the runway, evoking a sense of romanticism. The models looked good and no doubt they felt it too.

The collection was an explosion of textures, folds and shapes. Pearls and embellishments were masterfully women into the fabric, low set chignon buns were adorned with petals. Some of the gowns echoed petals of ranunculus and others were well structured, fitted pieces that could easily be translated from day wear to night.

Phuong My's collection is her best yet, pulling together aspects of her previous collections. Shapes from both her Spring Summer 2014 and 2015 collections were evident in this year's. It was reminiscent of her Fall Winter 2014 cinched wasted and exaggerated hourglass shapes. The textures were complimented with splashes of metallic golds and silvers almost resembling flaking gold and silver leaf on rippled fabrics of silk and organza.

Structured shoulders, generous skirts and complementary colour pairings and incredible attention to detail are what make this collection so downright gorgeous, provocative, feminine and chic. The female form was not lost under the layers of beautiful fabric, if anything the female figure was accentuated.

Feminine a-lined hems skimmed the runway and Mel Dreams Shoes walked the catwalk. It was refreshing to see a collection with an understated beauty, presenting pieces that were both bold and refined - items I could see many girls purchasing and wearing.

It is not at every fashion show that you can say you could easily wear the garments on parade. Phuong My's collection is exceptionally gorgeous and its key signature pieces are elegant, adaptable and timeless. Phuong is an international designer to watch, that's for sure.