Coffee Seminar at La Roasteria in Molo

It was caffeine overload that day and I literally almost woke up and smelled the coffee. La Roasteria hosted a whole-day coffee seminar yesterday and we ended up making our very own espresso from scratch.

The smell of freshly roasted coffee beans was everywhere and it perked up our senses even more for us to appreciate the coffee connoisseurs brought in by Mr Bodi Mijares - master roaster and owner of La Roasteria.

Lanz Mirondo Jr. (above) Lanz P. Mirondo Jr. was the 2009 Grand Barista Cup National Champion and represented the Philippines in the 2nd Asia Barista Championship. He was a finalist in the Greenfields Latte Art Challenge at the Singapore National Barista Championship in 2011. Currently Lanz is the head barista at 40 Hands Coffee in Singapore.

Kevin Israel Fortu is the 2013 Philippine Barista Champion and is the barista of The Curator, the newest third-wave coffeeshop in Makati. He will represented the Philippines in the 2013 World Barista Championships in Melbourne, Australia and just recently in Milan, Italy for WBC Expo.

The invitation only seminar was an informal gathering of coffee enthusiasts and had us experience cupping of four single origin Philippine Arabica coffees. It also showcased different brewing methods as well techniques for espresso, cappuccino and latte art. A public micro workshop was held later that day at Caffe Itallianni at Robinson's Place Iloilo.

Lanz explaining how the time element affects the smell and taste of coffee

Freshly roasted coffee beans on display

Kevin demonstrating different brewing techniques

A hands-on experience was offered for the latte art and espresso making.

Freshly ground coffee ...

... must be tightly packed ...

... in order to have an even flow of boiling water ...

... in order to have a great tasting ...

... espresso!

Coffee connoisseurs Bodi Mijares (left), Kevin Israel Fortu and Lanz Mirondo Jr.

La Roasteria Specialty Coffee are available to go at their shop in Fundidor in Molo and at Iloilo Supermart at The Atrium. For details call Bodi Mijares @ 0908-878-7988 or 0999-887-7990 or visit La Roasteria on at Facebook.

More Photos on Flavours of Iloilo on Facebook.

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