Thanks to a wonderful Christmas gift, I had the pleasure of attending Mercurcy Espresso Bar’s first ever coffee class! Hosted by Matthew and Doug, the evening was a casual yet informative night, where we learned about some coffee history and took part in a wide variety of cupping techniques.

We had a very small group, only about 10 people or so, with a few regulars I recognized from the shop. The night lasted about two and a half hours, with Matthew and Doug answering many questions about techniques and flavours. I won’t write too much about it, because I don’t want to spoil the surprise of what happens for future classes… but if you’re a seriously coffee lover, do yourself a favour and check out a class if you get a chance!

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to open my own coffee shop, and after the class I felt way more confident in my own coffee knowledge, but it was enlightening to see the passion these guys had for the bean, and the passion that went into their shop. It made me jealous. Maybe it’s time for a barista class or a few part time shifts? If they ever need someone to focus solely on various forms of drip, I’m all over it.

You can find out more about the Mercury Espresso bar at their blog here, or stay updated with their twitter feed.