July 01, 2014
The one blend they never stop refining.
Not too long ago, a friend likened North Melbourne to a beautiful part of Melbourne, but with no one to appreciate it. “Like Paris on Judgement Day” was the reference. Clearly he hadn’t found Auction Rooms, one of the great coffee institutions in the North. A place where people flock to from all corners of the state to wait in line for an hour to drink some of this city’s finest coffee that lives up to its hype. This cafe was the humble beginning of one of Melbourne’s most respected roasters today whose focus on quality is unparalleled.
Welcome to the Candyman Blend, and the candy men who make it, Andrew Kelly and Aaron Wood from Small Batch Roasting Co. Their strong beliefs of what it takes to produce quality coffee is what sets them apart from the pack.
“We need to understand all the factors that effect quality; we need to pay premiums to producers who strive as hard as we do to produce excellence; and we need be continually better at identifying coffees that hit our specific markers of sweetness, cleanness, and complexity”.
Candyman is Small Batch Roasting Co’s sole blend. A blend so good, they’ve put all their eggs in one basket. It’s a combination of their favourite in-season coffees, the culmination of their search for the sweetest and most complex espresso they can create.
“We’re always looking for the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.”
The beans in Candyman are roasted without the introduction of roast taint; they are fresh and flavoursome. Take your espresso black and the flavours of cherries and lime consummate the balance of sweetness and acidity. Add milk, a smooth caramel toffee sweetness transcends.
We ask where the future lies for coffee in Melbourne?
Andrew’s response was calm and considered: More travelling! An always present need to visit coffee producers dotted around the globe, with the aim of furthering relationships, gaining greater understanding, and ensuring the coffee beans are harvested and processed exactly.
"We want to change your idea of what coffee can be. We want to showcase the lively and distinctive qualities each varietal has to offer, maximising fruit flavours, sweetness and complexity. We do not do this via hocus pocus, but by discipline of method and great care".
Andrew and the team go to all this care so we can drink world class coffee effortlessly, every day.
The Small Batch crew’s ability to produce fresh and flavoursome tastes doesn’t stop at their coffee. Their recently opened Filter by Small Batch cafe in the CBD is a testament to their commitment to flavours and purity, focusing on filter brewed coffee experiences in a unique city environment. Like their coffee, it’s an experience that will leave your taste buds watering for more.
Photos by Bobby Clark for Three Thousand Thieves
Filter by Small Batch and Small Batch Roasting Co @FilterbySB and @SmallBatchRoast
