Keen as a bean
The bosses of Dilmah, one of the world’s largest brands in tea, were in Cairns this week presenting a School of Tea workshop to teach Far North Queenslanders how to make the perfect cuppa and appreciate tea on a higher level. But for those who really appreciate caffeine, the better delivery method is, of course, coffee.
THE bosses of Dilmah, one of the world’s largest brands in tea, were in Cairns this week presenting a School of Tea workshop to teach Far North Queenslanders how to make the perfect cuppa and appreciate tea on a higher level.
But for those who really appreciate caffeine, the better delivery method is, of course, coffee.
And when you are in the tropical North, there are many wonderful ways to appreciate this much-loved beverage.
CAIRNS CBD CAFES
The city centre is a haven for coffee lovers. There are cafes to suit all tastes, from artisan brews sourced from the highest mountains in South America through to hearty cuppas you can sip on a crate immersed in all the sights, sounds and smells of Rusty’s markets.
Walk along Lake or Grafton streets and duck into one of the laneway businesses making coffee that puts southerners to shame. Or grab a takeaway cup and sit on the Esplanade.
BECOME AN EXPERT
Want to do more with your morning cuppa? There are several avenues in Cairns to learn from master baristas.
The Cairns Coffee School, run by Caffiend owner Oliver James, offers coffee appreciation classes, barista classes, sensory development, cupping sessions and latte art training.
The Chamber Room also offers a “Brew Skool”, providing inside access to speciality brewing. Their classes range from perfecting brews and filter brewing through to latte artistry and custom training.
SEE WHERE IT GROWS
Head up to the Atherton Tablelands, where coffee is grown at several plantations.
Farms such as Jaques, just outside Mareeba, offer tours providing insight into how coffee is produced. They also offer fantastic opportunities to sample homegrown coffee.
For the ultimate caffeinated experience, head to Mareeba’s famous Coffee Works, where you can sample all kinds of locally grown coffee (and tea) alongside chocolate.