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Pullman support inaugural Glitter Cat Barista Bootcamp

Glitter Cat Barista Bootcamp was started to provide access and training to folks who self-identify as a member of a marginalized community. With only this definition, it seems fairly clear who can apply and what our goals are, but I was wrong. What about latinx people who look white? Or people with disabilities that only manifest in certain situations? A member of the LGBTQIA community who is in a heteronormative relationship? Or folks with financial hardships or lack of access to transportation or coffee equipment for training? I raise these questions because that is how we learn. GCBB 2018 taught me more about myself, the coffee community, people, and support than I could ever have known.

The moment the lights came on in the training space on opening day, I was shook from the support from the coffee community. Elixr Coffee Roasters closed their cafe for three days and allowed us to install three Nuova Simonelli Black Eagles, six Mahlkönig grinders, and a Marco Beverage Systems SP9. We then flooded the cafe with Pacific Foods milk alternatives, Acaia scales, Barista Magazines, Liberty Bar t-shirts, Slow Pour Supply customized pitchers, Urnex cleaning products, Created Co. mugs, Pullman customized tampers and chisel tools, a vinyl sponsor wall from The Barista League, Ally Coffee hats, grinders from Baratza, and coffees from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Onyx Coffee Labs, and Elixr Coffee Roasters, with additional support from Gorilla Gear and private donors. A cafe turned into a world-class training space, all thanks to these incredible sponsors, especially due to the financial support of our presenting sponsor, Pacific Foods Barista Series.

Then the glitter started.

At 8am, bright and puffy eyed, the Glitter Cat trainees arrived. I stood behind the Black Eagle serving them espressos and cappuccinos and watched as trainees met United States and World Barista Champions: an incredibly inspiring situation to observe. Baristas were, quite literally, meeting their heroes. It was a room where some were learning, some were teaching, and all were equal. For the first, and far from only time, my eyes welled with tears. We, as a team, were about to embark on a three-day journey of intensive learning, and not only about espresso theory and signature beverage development. We were about to discover personal stories of immigrating to the USA, financial hardships, displacement from hurricanes, discrimination based on race, gender, and sexuality, what it means to be a non-white-cis-man in an industry that portrays itself as progressive, and how we can support and grow amidst adversity. Two main things were created during this camp: intense relationship bonds and unbeatable skills in competing in a barista competition. 

The following pages are only a small excerpt of photos and moments. We hope to showcase the smiles, energy, creativity, relationships, and anxiety that go hand-in-hand with barista competitions and this bootcamp. You’ll see photos of World and US barista champions teaching classes on rules, pulling espresso, and signature beverage R&D and pictures of friendships being created and critical analysis of theme development. You’ll also see snapshots of the Glitter Barista Championship where trainees were paired up with local baristas and worked to lead their team to success in crafting and serving two espressos, cappuccinos, and signature beverages to a panel of two judges, in only 45 minutes. The camp culminated in them finding out they all are going to La Palma y El Tucan, a worldclass farm in Colombia!

It has been three weeks since the Glitter Cat trainees graduated from the inaugural Glitter Cat Barista Bootcamp, and let me be clear: keep your eyes on these ten people, because they are about to change the face of what barista competitors and coffee professionals look like in the United States and in the World, both on and off the stage. Thank you for being a partner for the Glitter Cat Barista Bootcamp 2018 season and we look forward
to partnering with you for the 2020 season**!   T. BEN & AXEL CAT

**We made a mistake: while GCBB 2018 was held in 2018 it was training for the 2019 season. In order for us to keep in line with SCA/WCE competition scheduling, the Bootcamp help in the year 2019 will be for the 2020 season and will be named GLITTER CAT BARISTA BOOTCAMP 2020.**

Pullman support inaugural Glitter Cat Barista Bootcamp Read More »

The Top #4 Competitors of the World Barista Championship 2017, used Pullman tools.

We’re always chuffed when we see Pullman in the hands of baristas across the globe via the Socials. It goes without saying, seeing them used at World Competition level, makes us pretty darn proud. 

Not only did the Top #4 Competitors use Pullman, 50% of the Top #30 did too. 

The 2017 Champion, Dale Harris of Hasbean Coffee, UK, used the patented Pullman PergTamp (now named NexusPro) which is the first ever, angled side-wall tamper. 

“The decision to use the Pullman PergTamp (NexusPro) was actually one of the few we didn’t need to think about too much. After having looked at automated tampers we found that my workflow and speed was much more fluid with a hand tamper and so moved straight to the tamper we use in our training room at the Roastery. We use it there as a perfect pairing with precision baskets, and its tight fit with these aids consistent tamping practice and even extraction”

 #1 Dale Harris, by Black Water Issue


In 4th place was our friend Benjamin Put of Monogram Coffee, Canada, who used the BigStep Titanium and 2 Chisels, one set for milk course and the other set for espresso.

“I use Pullman products because they increase extraction, which contributes to better flavour, but the bigger one for me, in the shop and in competition, is that they lower the odds of having a bad shot. A tamper that doesn’t properly fit will lower your extraction percentage, but it is also more likely to channel on the sidewalls of the basket.”

#4 Ben Putt, by Black Water Issue

While the weapon of choice was the flagship Pullman BigStep tamper, there was an increasing number of competitors using there-distribution tool, Pullman Chisel this year. 

2nd place was our friend Miki Suzuki of Japan, who used both a Chisel and BigStep tamper, her main focus being “consistency for extraction”. Followed by Kapo Chiu of Hong Kong, who used a Chisel for re-distribution.

#2 Miki Suzuki, by Black Water Issue

#3 Kapo Chiu, by Black Water Issue

From the Pullman team Adelaide, Australia – Thank you for your endless support, we look forward to making tools as the industry requires for many movements to come. 

The Top #4 Competitors of the World Barista Championship 2017, used Pullman tools. Read More »

A Pullman Proposal

We know coffee brings people together, but this newly-engaged couple from Lillydale, Victoria, have shown us a whole new level.

 

When Corey Williams, of Mr. Ristretto contacted us to help him achieve the perfect proposal, we were honoured to be a part of the big day! Here’s a little more about the story.

Tell us a little about yourself and your fiancé? How are you involved in coffee?
We met when we were 10 (or so) years old at a skating rink. I like to think I charmed her with my rad skating skills right away. Took her another 9 years to decide to go on a date with me though……..
We’ve both been involved (individually) in the coffee/hospitality industry for over 10 years. But, we both quit our jobs in 2015 to focus on building our own little venue together. We opened Mr Ristretto in early 2016 and have developed very quickly into a highly regarded destination for quality specialty coffee in the Yarra Valley.

How did the proposal happen? Talk us through the moment?
I had to tell a million little lies to hide what I was planning. She signed for the Tamper package at the shop. So I had to start making excuses as to why she couldn’t have it right away.
I thought of a million ways that I could ask the big question. But ultimately, I went down the traditional path and picked a nice dinner restaurant to blurt it out.

Why did you choose a Pullman Tamper?
I like to try and do things a little differently. I hadn’t ever heard about anybody doing anything quite like this. We spend most of our days hovering around a coffee machine, so it seemed fitting.
Words are words. But a quality Pullman Tamper, will last forever. Will be a great piece to hold onto to show the kids when they’re old enough. 🙂

What was her response? 
Yes (thankfully)! I definitely would have made her pay for dinner if she said no…………

Is she going to use the tamper?
Initially she said it was far too pretty to be used…… But also said it was far too pretty not to show off to the world. So it sits next to my Pullman at the café (we’re starting a collection). I’m not allowed to use hers though. She says I’ll just “make it dirty”.

Check out Corey’s and his new Fiance’s cafe Mr. Ristretto , you’ll be sure to find some serious love and passion behind their espresso shots!

A Pullman Proposal Read More »

Matching Tampers to Baskets

Matching Tamper Bases to Baskets

Importance of surface area coverage

 

MATCHING TAMPER BASES TO BASKETS IS HOW WE BEGAN IN 2002. 
COVERING AS MUCH OF THE COFFEE AS POSSIBLE WHILE TAMPING REDUCES MASS CHANNELLING. 

LEARN HOW BY LEARNING…

1. the difference between Matched and Un-matched
2. the importance of surface area coverage in the basket for tamping
3. what size your portafilter is
4. what kind of Pullman Tamper you are able to use


Tamper Base Size Guide.pdf

  • This is list of “Generic” recommended tamper base sizes per machine. (un-matched)
  • Use the colour key, to determine which tamper you can choose from, and if you are eligible for BigStep + Filtration
  • *please note – “various models” refers to only some models within that brand. This applies to both tamper size and if our baskets will fit. If your model is not listed, please email enquiries@pullman.coffee

STILL UNSURE WHICH TAMPER YOU NEED FOR YOUR MACHINE?

  • If you have an industry standard porta-filter (58.00mm) – you have the option of Generic (1), Matched (2) or BigStep/Filtration Series Matched (3) if your machine is in blue on this chart. It is up to you which results you would like.

  • If your porta-filter is smaller than industry standard size – you are eligible for the Generic (1) or Matched (2) option.

  • If you would like to have your base Matched (2), please send in your current basket to ensure best fit.

 

 

GOT QUESTIONS? EMAIL US

 

DISCLAIMER

The list above is subject to change, please email us if you have any updates to add. 

Matching Tampers to Baskets Read More »

Taste Is Always King: Coffee & Milk with Fleurieu Milk Company

When it comes to the difference of average and excellent, it’s the combining effort of all the small details which make the biggest difference.

At Fleurieu Milk Company, these are values they live by. The end result? In our opinion, the best milk in the country. 
If you’re a coffee person, you’d know the extent we go to, to make coffee better. Us, for example, created a world-wide business dedicated to exactly that. Therefore, when we come across like-minded folks like this, our hearts skip a beat.

Not to mention, these guys are SA local and proud, how lucky are we?


Check them out,
325 Rowley Road, Myponga
SA 5202
(08) 8558 6020
http://www.fleurieumilkco.com.au/

Taste Is Always King: Coffee & Milk with Fleurieu Milk Company Read More »

BigStep MKII 440C

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Mark II is a fancy way of saying “version 2” and we like to be different… Also, the boss man kind of liked it.
440C however, is more deliberate. This is a 440 grade stainless steel, and has the highest carbon content for a 400 stainless steel series. 
It is then heat-treated to reach 43-45 HRC. (let’s just say it’s freaking hard!)

 

OKAY SO IT’S HARD, BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PERFORMANCE?

The main purpose of the material change is all about that trademark edge! Using such hard steel, allows the edge to be maintained, ensuring perfect shape and maximum surface coverage, use after use!

 

You may also notice some other improvements:

  • More damage resistant
  • Smoother glide during puck-polish

 

One more thing…

We have also changed the edge from a 65˚ edge to a 45˚ edge, which has ensured even less suction in the basket. Happy days!

…. same price
…. It’s all in the small details which make the difference!

We have stopped making the previous version, and all units going forward will be MKII 440C. 

BigStep MKII 440C Read More »

National Competition Filtration Basket, 2017-2020!

We have been a proud sponsor of ASCA for more than 5 years, and we are happy to announce, we have extended our partnership further. Our 19g – 22g filtration baskets will be used in competition for the next 3 years. 

“We are proud to continue the great relationship with Pullman, who have been a key partner of the recent development of ASCA,” said ASCA President Brent Williams. “Companies like Pullman understand that by supporting ASCA, they are supporting the Australian specialty coffee industry in general.” from recent ASCA article. 

We’re excited to see what’s in store for Australian coffee, and we’re honoured to be backing the assciation that supports it. 
Learn more about our filtration baskets here. 

National Competition Filtration Basket, 2017-2020! Read More »