KEY POINTS:
As founder and director of Altura Coffee in Albany, Chris White won't accept good coffee. He wants a great cup every time, which stands him in good stead as one of a few Barista Championship accredited judges.
He is head judge at the Auckland final of the New Zealand Barista Championships this weekend, at which 26 baristas will be competing for a place in the New Zealand final.
What's the secret to great coffee?
If you can, buy fresh coffee from your local roastery as freshness and quality are guaranteed; there are lots of fantastic boutique roasters offering the world's best beans.
How can people do better coffee at home?
If you love your coffee and you want it to be as good as you get at your local cafe, invest in a quality espresso machine. Then search around for a good coffee appreciation course at your local roaster. A two-hour session should have you getting the best out of your coffee equipment at home and not pushing it to the back of the cupboard in the too-hard department.
Your favourite beans?
This is a hard one as there are so many fantastic origins to choose from. At the moment I am really enjoying coffee from Guatemala.
How do you like your coffee?
Nothing is as good as the perfectly extracted pour to give a pure espresso - short black.
The single best coffee you ever had?
I cupped some coffee from Kenya Masai in the late 80s. A very limited crop. I will always remember it - it was fantastic.
* The New Zealand Barista Championships are on Saturday April 5 at Allpress Roastery in Freemans Bay. For more information check out www.nzcra.org.nz
