Highlights
- Dex Cruz began his love affair with coffee when he was 7-years old.
- He seeks to promote Filipino coffees and dishes in his café and restaurant.
- In collaboration with Alternative Coffee Beans, Kleinne Avree Café & Filipino Restaurant will be hosting a cupping event featuring Philippine Arabica coffee.
SBS Filipino's 'Kape Serye' is a collection of features celebrating Filipino-owned cafés; Filipino baristas, producers, distributors and coffee aficionados; and of course, the 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," café owner Dex Cruz shares.
Dex seeks to promote brewed Filipino coffee in Australia, but admits that his love for the drink also began with a packet of instant coffee.
Dex Cruz and his daughter Kleinne Source: Dex Cruz
The 7-year old coffee aficionado
Dex began drinking coffee when he was only 7-years old.
"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."
A barista he was close to took him under his wing and taught him the basics of making a cup of brew.
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
After years of being head barista for various coffee shops, Dex now co-owns a café in Chatswood with his brother Paul - Kleinne Avree Café & Filipino Restaurant, named after both their daughters.
"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."
When it came to his café and restaurant's menu, Dex opted to highlight Filipino food and coffee.
"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
Dex shares that the Filipino coffee beans that he's sampled through cupping have had very unique flavour profiles.
"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
Putting a spotlight on farmers, producers and everyone in between will be the event, Coffee ni Juan, a collaborative effort between Alternative Coffee Beans and the café. The said event will be a cupping session with a focus on 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."
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