Somewhere over the fence...

"Come to our Coffee Seminar at our store tomorrow from 11 am to 1 pm. Bring your friends," reads my SMS from Noel who works at Starbucks Petron NLEX Marilao.

Uh-huh? A coffee seminar? Is there more to coffee than just what we know about its anti-oxidant properties or its caffeine benefits as a stimulant, diuretic, and a headache remedy?

I was proven wrong when I attended the Starbucks Coffee Seminar this morning.

I hauled my cousin, Camille, fellow coffee addict, JJ, and myself over at the Starbucks store along the North Luzon Expressway. JJ who is also from Bulacan would even commute as far as Trinoma just to have her dose of frappuccino. She didn't know how to get to Petron NLEX so I gave her detailed instructions that she had to prepare herself by going over a fence ('bakod'). She didn't believe at first and I told her, I wasn't joking.

So we got there early and had my tall caffe mocha just to keep me awake as I only had my cup for the day before we left home. I was surprised to see familiar faces of baristas from Shell NLEX Balagtas. Later did I know that they were having their certifications conducted.

There were only four of us, including Carms who is barista Ivanne's friend, who were there for the coffee seminar. Resident coffee master JR introduced the topic which was "Expresso Roast: A Starbucks Shared Planet Coffee."

He started off by asking us about what we thought about Starbucks' Shared Planet. I pretended I didn't know anything about it (see 'Musings on a Starbucks Tumbler Design') but still I was asked about it and had to give my answer. So, I blurted out about the campaign's vision of "ethical sourcing, environmental sterwardship and community involvement." JR expounded on the campaign and discussed about the sources of Starbucks' whole bean coffees. Thereby, introducing the Espresso Roast which was the main topic.

Cups were distributed around for the coffee tasting to commence. Astro taught us the 4 techniques of coffee tasting: smell, slurp, locate the sensation on your tongue, and describe the experience. What I really found amusing is the second step which is "slurping".

I admit, I've been drinking coffee since I was 7 years old and been afraid of scalding my tongue because of inadvertent arrogance of drinking coffee lest be caught by my parents not drinking full cream milk instead. After years of coffee sustenance, I just discovered that slurping coffee is the sanest way not to burn your tongue because air is introduced and thereby has an effect of cooling the coffee and making it palate-friendly. The louder the slurping, the better. Now, I understand why that late night radio announcer on the AM radio always slurps loudly when drinking coffee. I thought it was just his way of annoying his listeners.

We compared the aroma and taste of Caffè Latte and Caffè Americano. I particularly liked Caffè Americano because it gave a rich aroma and dense, smooth texture I always like in my coffee.

Then off with the pastry pairing because good coffee warrants good pastry. Again, I gave Caffè Americano a thumbs up for the complementary taste it brings with the brownies.

Soon came the part where we get to answer questions and take home some goodies. There were 4 loot bags and there were just 4 of us. So naturally, we just answered the question correctly and bring home a Starbucks shirt and a bag of ground coffee. Also had my complimentary tall Caffè Americano and my day is on a roll.

I came home informed and educated about my top-of-the-list-beverage and realized how much respect goes with this industry where 65,000 metric tons of coffee are consumed by Filipinos annually.*

I left the seminar wanting for more like how to use a coffee press, and methods of brewing coffee. Well, I guess I have to wait for another coffee seminar or ask the friendly barista when I get my caffeine fix.

Just as there are wine and cheese connoisseurs, I guess, coffee junkies like me can transcend their energies and study in becoming coffee experts in the future.

In the meantime, JJ just texted that she's looking forward in having a coffee klatsch and hopefully with our other friends at Starbucks Petron NLEX Marilao. She will take the liberty and spare me of telling them that they need to go over the fence to get there.

*Facts about coffee from Sunday Inquirer Magazine (October 18, 2009)
Photos courtesy of Noel dela Cruz.