2007 World Barista Champion James Hoffmann has just opened the Penny University, an espresso-free coffeehouse extension of Square Mile Roasters. New York Times’ Oliver Strand reports:
Notably, there’s no espresso machine. It’s a daring decision given that Square Mile Coffee Roasters has a city-wide following for its espresso, and supplied the winning beans to the World Barista Champions of 2007, 2008 and 2009. If you want a flat white crafted by a champ, you’d better go to Prufrock Coffee around the corner: Penny University only offers brewed coffee.
To be sure, the methods are obsessive. Right now, there are three coffees on the menu, each made according to a different preparation: V60 pour over, flannel drip and siphon. Hot water comes from the Über Boiler, an elegant arc of stainless steel that delivers an exact measure of liquid heated to a temperature programmable within one-tenth of a degree. Eventually, coffee will also be made via Chemex, Aeropress, French press, CafeSolo and cold brew.
Congratulations, Square Mile! We can’t wait to visit in June!
