| Schaerer
Coffee Competence Center |
| Following is a brief trip report of my visit to
the SCC at the Schaerer Headquarters in Switzerland: |
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First we got a warm welcome from the Schaerer Team in
Switzerland, well known for their hospitality. Flying the Flags of all the
Countries of the Schaerer Representatives taking the SCC Training. |
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After a hard day of classroom training in all aspects of
coffee, we finally got to the fun part in determining the custom blend we
want to try.
We all agreed to come up with a blend to be used with the pressure
brew method which is gaining world wide in popularity. |
| With some help from our Roast Master and SCC
Trainer Ingo Rogalla we decided on a blend. After the roast was done, we
were in for a surprise. The traditional cupping of our custom
blend resulted in a unanimous "undrinkable" vote. However,
just by changing the water temperature and trying the pressure brew method
we noticed already many varying factors influencing the end result, just
as we learned the previous day. |
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After changing some percentages of the blend we actually got
to a blend that we all agreed to be excellent. Off course the recipe is
strictly our secret... |
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Make no mistake, even though we do represent Super Automatic
Technology, Ingo put us through a vigorous Barista training on a
traditional Espresso Machine. |
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Some of us even managed to prepare specialty coffee drinks
decorated with hearts. |
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Specialty coffee menus may consist of hundreds of different
drinks and presentation methods. |
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It was my turn to show-case the preparation of a Latte
Machiato. Representing Schaerer Super Automatic Technology for many
years, I didn't know better and walked up to the Schaerer OTTO and pushed
the Machiato button on the Machine, and voila, 30 seconds later a beautiful
Machiato was on the table... sorry, but I always prefer it the easy way... |
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Between the hard lessons there was always time to mingle
together and discuss ideas and situations in the various countries we
represent. |
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After two days of very interesting and valuable training
sessions we proudly received our SCC certificate in the pictures Schloss
Schadau in Thun. |
| This was a great trip, time well invested. I
thought I know everything about coffee, just to find out how little I
knew.
Special thanks to the Schaerer SCC team in putting together this great
training seminar, well done...
...by R. Peterson |
