Kookaburra Express (Gourmet Pies, Espresso and Juice Bar) is a little café in Kincumber Shopping Village. It’s usually populated by the elderly (there’s a retirement village across the road), with the occasional mum with kid(s) in tow having a break before or after they do the grocery shopping (it’s right next to Coles). Ezekiel and I had a bit of time to spare between dropping Anastasia at preschool and his swimming lesson, so we decided to grab a coffee (and some yummy organic apple and pear cookies for him).
Kookaburra is supplied with Cafiend beans, which is apparently a blend of beans from Mountain Top Estate and selected other coffee growers in the ‘Rainbow Region’, and is roasted by the incredibly famous Instraurator (yes, that is his real name!). Spectacular photos from The Espresso Quest adorn the wall, and copies of the book are for sale at the counter - I really need to save up some bikkies and get a hold of that. So it’s looking like a perfect spot to enjoy a wicked shot.
“Hi! Can I just have a short black please!”
“Sure,” (she turns to the barista and whispers, “Is a short black an espresso?”).
I needn’t have let that faze me. A few minutes later a demitasse is delivered to my table. I peer in and am delighted to see a rich, dark brown crema; no blonding, no bubbles. I take my first sip, and am delighted; have they served me a shot of the 549? It’s not, but it has that wonderfully fruity feel to it; it’s sweet, balanced, and the aftertaste is … well, incredibly aromatic. Ezekiel grabs the spoon and tastes the drops that remain, I presume he likes it as he then drops his biscuit into the cup, and happily sucks the coffee off it.
Without doubt the best espresso I’ve had on the Central Coast outside of my own kitchen.
WOW! Good little find! What machine/grinder are they using? So if they are using MTC 549-esque how much do they charge for the shot?
That’s the one outside what used to be Bi-Lo right? Now coles or something?
We’ve been there a couple of times. Their white coffee was not bad at all. I dunnno if I was as impressed as you though.
I should have mentioned that last year I had coffee there nearly every single Thursday, and I never had a shot like the one I had today - hence I never bothered to blog about it or recommend the place. They were ok, but not great. Kind of tasted like a Mandheling.
Today was a new experience. And I hope it’s repeated next week!
Dan, they use an Azkoyen - machine and grinder - I have no idea about what model. With a Super Jolly for decaf.
It tasted like the 549 but it’s not. $2.50/shot. $3/white. Beans available for $10/250g. Might have to get some to try at home … and in the syphon … I’ll check the age before I buy them.