Highlights
- Nagsimulang uminom ng kape si Dex Cruz noong siya'y 7-taong gulang.
- Nais niyang itaguyod ang pagkaing Pinoy at ang kapeng mulang Pilipinas sa Sydney.
- Isang cupping event ang magaganap sa Kleinne Avree Café & Filipino Restaurant kung saan ang matitikman ng mga lalahok ang Philippine Arabica coffee.
Ang 'Kape Serye' ng SBS Filipino ay isang koleksyon ng mga sulatin nagpopokus sa mga Filipino-owned cafés; Filipino baristas, producers, distributors at coffee aficionados; at siyempre, sa Philippine-grown coffee bean.
"Brewed coffee can be expensive back in the Philippines. Most Filipinos still prefer to buy instant coffee. It's widely available, easy to prepare and super affordable," saad ng may-ari ng kapehan na si Dex Cruz.
Itinataguyod ni Dex Cruz ang brewed Filipino coffee sa Australya, pero aminado siya na nagsimula ang pagmamahal niya para sa inuming ito dahil sa isang pakete ng instant coffee.
Dex Cruz and his daughter Kleinne Source: Dex Cruz
Ang 7-taong gulang na coffee aficionado
Nagsimulang uminom ng kape si Dex noong siya'y 7-taong gulang.
"It was instant coffee, of course. Most homes in the Philippines have it. My parents didn't force me to drink it; but I loved the smell of it. I remember them having their coffee in the morning. One time, I asked them for a cup. I loved it!
"However, there were no coffee shops where I grew up and I didn't know anyone who roasted, ground and brewed coffee from scratch until I worked as a kitchen assistant in a café."
Isang barista ang nagturo sa kanya ng mga basics ng paggawa ng kape.
A barista Dex was close to took him under his wing and taught him the basics of making a cup of brew. Source: Dex Cruz
"He gave me basic lessons for free. Since then, my interest in coffee [deepened]. I took barista lessons from several barista academies. I found a part-time job as a barista all-rounder, learned more skills from fellow baristas and eventually worked as head barista of various coffee shops."
Filo coffee
Pagkatapot ng ilang taon ng pagiging head barista sa ilang mga kapehan, ngayo'y may-ari na siya ng Kleinne Avree Café & Filipino Restaurant, kasama ng kanyang kapatid na si Paul.
"Opening my own café and restaurant has always been a long-time goal.
"My grandma had restaurants back home in the Philippines - in Sta. Mesa, Manila and Nueva Ecija. I grew up seeing people work in the kitchen and have always been fascinated with amazing food.
Some of the Filipino dishes offered in Kleinne Avree: Bulalo [beef and bone marrow soup] and Kare-Kare [peanut stew with pork and veggies] Source: Dex Cruz
"I've also helped setup cafés and restaurants in the past. I managed front of house, handled catering businesses, worked with specialty coffees and created menus."
Pagdating sa menu ng kapehan, pinili ni Dex na itaguyod ang pagkaing Pinoy at kape mula Pilipinas.
"I strongly believe in the quality of our products - that's why every time we are able to get our hands on good Filipino coffee beans, we serve them in the café. All of these beans pass our high cupping [coffee tasting] standards."
Dex at the café Source: Dex Cruz
Saad niya na kakaiba any mga kapeng Pinoy na natikman niya sa cupping.
"Flavour depends on climate, origin, farming, processing, roasting and brewing.
"Every time we are able to get our hands on good Filipino coffee beans, we serve them in the café." Source: Dex Cruz
"Majority of the coffees from the Philippines that I cupped have had distinct notes of chocolate, pineapple, tamarind, strawberries, pomelo, nuts and caramel...all of which, if done right, will absolutely shine and put the spotlight on Philippine-grown coffee; Filipino coffee farmers, baristas, coffee roasters and producers; and everyone in between."
Coffee ni Juan
Upang mabigyang pansin ang mga kape, magsasaka at producers, magkakaroon ng isang event sa kapehan nila Dex - ang Coffee ni Juan. Ito ay isang collaborative effort sa pagitan ng Alternative Coffee Beans at ng kapehan. Isa itong cupping session na naka-pokus sa Philippine Arabica Coffee.
"It will be held this coming June 19, 2021 at the café. All the organisers and collaborators of the event share the same passion for the coffee industry. We strongly believe that coffee from the Philippines is one of the best coffees in the world. With the right training, education, and exposure, together, we can [bring our coffee to the forefront].
Cupping Source: Dex Cruz
"When we support Filipino coffee, we support the farmers who tend to the beans as well as the industry as a whole. Support means more yield and even better, more affordable brew."
BASAHIN / PAKINGGAN DIN
