Ever tried drinking your coffee naked? I have and must confess…I love it! What I’m actually referring to is an extraction method used to produce a lighter, cleaner, pure shot of coffee using a portafilter with the spout removed. The coffee passes through the flat bottom of the basket, touching nothing else, hence it is ‘naked’. Watching the process is completely mesmerising as the liquid is exposed in all its glory and the warm golden crema pools in the middle, oozing gently into your cup. This is espresso porn at it’s finest.
Jason Berley was so inspired by the method that he started Naked Espresso three years ago, roasting quality coffee, supplying cafes and offering extensive training and support. He has now embarked on his latest venture partnering with Ron Haver in a cafe called North East Precinct in Bentleigh East. Open only three weeks, this is also a concept store and the new home of Naked Espresso, where all coffees are made with that signature bottomless portafilter. It is also the place I chose to try their Mega Choc Blend.
This big, bold and rich tasting coffee is their premium house blend. It’s a medium to dark roast, but with the chocolate caramel tones and clean acidity I found it really pleasurable and easy to drink black. If you want to round out the palate and bring forward the sweet nutty flavour, don’t be scared to add some milk, this coffee cuts through it like a well-honed blade.
Smooth, silky and unashamedly naked…drinking that cup of Mega Choc was totally and utterly seductive.
Drink your cup at:
North East Precinct: 892 North Road Bentleigh East
Naked Espresso Bar: 390 Little Bourke Street CBD
Gypsy Village Cafe: 9 Bay Road Sandringham
Two2Eight Espresso: 228 Glen Huntly Road Elsternwick
Little Westbury Cafe: 261B Carlisle Street Balaclava
Milk The Cow: u1/157 Fitzroy Street St Kilda & 323 Lygon Street Carlton