Wakey, wakey.
We've tracked down the top five coffee shops in the world.
Australians treat coffee drinking like Germans treat beer and Californians treat ridiculously named marijuana strains: like smug jerks. But you know what? We're probably totally entitled to that. Australian cafes, baristas and the coffee they produce rank consistently among the very best in the world. That assumption was proven to be true when 22 year old Melbourne-based java alchemist Matt Perger placed second in this year's 2013 World Barista Championships, making him the number one barista in the country. In the interest of opening your mind, wallet and taste-buds to the possibility of non-Australian cafes being good, we enlisted Perger to talk us through his top five cafes in the world, only one of which is in the Southern Hemisphere.
Coffee Collective - Copenhagen
Jægersborggade 10, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
http://www.coffeecollective.dk/
Coffee Collective have been pushing the envelope of specialty coffee for many years. Their methods for preparing espresso and filter coffees are world-class and their coffee buying is very progressive. Klaus Thomsen (part owner and World Barista Champion) is known for his 'direct trade' agreements with coffee farmers - a process where farmers are rewarded well for producing high quality coffee; far in excess of Fair Trade prices.
Tim Wendelboe - Oslo
Grüners gate 1, 0552 Oslo, Norway
http://timwendelboe.no/
The man and his business are synonymous with specialty coffee. Tim is an outspoken expert on farming practises at origin and the lighter Scandinavian style of roasting. His cafe in Oslo is the industry leader for customer service, retail support and delicious brews.
G&B (Glanville & Babinski) - Los Angeles
317 Broadway, Los Angeles CA 90013
http://gandbcoffee.com/
A fresh new venue from industry heavyweights Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski. G&B sets lofty goals for coffee quality and customer service. Their service style is relaxed and informative; their drinks are inventive and playful; their coffee quality is easily the best in LA. While other venues have been struggling to get espresso right, G&B have been dreaming up coffee spiders and cold sparkling hopped oolong tea.
St Ali - Melbourne
12-18 Yarra Pl, South Melbourne VIC 3205
http://www.stali.com.au/
A Melbourne stalwart, St Ali is one of the top cafes in the cafe city of the world. I call St Ali home, and will happily argue that the baristas there are producing the best coffee in the world. The level of precision, passion and speed on the bar at St Ali is something I'm really proud of. We also serve the Coffee Shot, a world first in utilising the espresso machine to brew filter style coffee - it's absolutely delicious.
