7 Seeds – Carlton. Overall Score 16.38

114 Berkeley St, Carlton 3053
(03) 9347 8664
Google map link
Coffee Brand 7 Seeds

Summary by SamW

“Fool me twice, shame on you. Fool me thrice, shame on me.”

Heading into our second and third reviews at 7 Seeds this phrase was permeating our conversation. On our first visit here, it seemed apparent that 7 seeds were pushing macchiat0 in a direction that was more trendy than traditional…more style than substance…more wank than rank.

However, since our first visit 7 Seeds have demonstrated that their knowledge of coffee and understanding of its complexity contributes to why they are so well established (in such a short amount of time). A fundamental knowledge of what makes coffee good radiates from floor staff to barista. Their overt quality control has been demonstrated once (please read our 2^nd review). Apart from serving macchiato in a ceramic cup and sometimes over-milked, their presentation, pour and prose have been almost flawless. 7 Seeds know their coffee and how to make it.

Sitting in the 7 Seeds roasting warehouse, it’s easy to get swept up in all-things coffee. The ambiance fools one into thinking that you have only been there for a short while, when in fact a couple of hours have passed. There is a steady buzz of traffic, from Uni students to morning-mums (mums who drink coffee with child all morning long) and it caters well to all.

Originally 7 Seeds left us with a bitter taste and slightly confused, but after subsequent visits they have turned the boat around.  Thankfully we visited more than once, which has given us a good overall picture of consistency.

Can we really complain about 7 Seeds?

Absolutely not!

Can we recommend it?

Damn right!

Score Summary.

Cafe Latte: 16, 16, 16.5

Macchiato: 12, 15, 15

Espresso: 17, 17.5, 18

Ristretto: 18.5, 18, 17

Overall Mean Score: 16.38. Highly Recommended

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7 Seeds – Carlton. 3rd Review.

114 Berkeley St, Carlton 3053

Friday 20 November 2009 @ 1.30pm. Coffee Brand 7 Seeds

Coffee – Espresso. Single Origin Ethiopian

Score 18/20

By SimonL

This came out looking superb. A glistening deep caramel coloured crema that was thick and sweet tasting.  It had delicate wheat field aromatics and a sweet caramel and subtle fruit flavours. Freshness, vitality, delicate body and gentle acidity have combined to make a mouth-watering and intense coffee that makes you wonder how many you could drink if it didn’t contain caffeine.

Coffee – Short Macchiato. Single Origin Ethiopian

Score 15/20

By SamW

This macchiato was made as well as I had anticipated. It was rich and deep in flavour and held the right amount of milk. Opposed to the first visit, the milk played a supporting role and allowed the espresso to peak through in the final mouthfuls. The second and third visits have demonstrated that every café has an off day (a la the first review), even a place as rock solid as 7 seeds. Full points to this coffee for presentation and true to style.

Coffee – Cafe Latte

Score 16.5/20

By SimonL

I could just refer you to our first and second reviews on this coffee. Consistency is king here at 7 Seeds and that is one of our aims to discover. This cafe latte was a delicate coffee that boarders on not being strong enough. This is a personal preference only and a lot of customers here will enjoy this coffee immensely. It is well made, with perfect temperature and beautifully foamed milk. Sweet creaminess with well integrated espresso that shows subtle caramel flavours that is slightly dominated by the creamy milk, and finishing slightly dry.

Coffee – Ristretto. Single Origin Ethiopian

Score 17/20

By SamW

7 seeds truly deliver with their short coffees, and each time they deliver a ristretto it is made with care and a quality of knowledge. My ristretto was delivered in a hot cup, and the pour was slightly on the short side.

My first sip presented flavours of hayseed and very floral aromas. There was a lot of complexity that hung around the front of my tongue, but it wasn’t overwhelming. If the Sound of Music was turned into a coffee, it would be this one.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 4/5

Busy 5/5

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7 Seeds – Carlton. 2nd Review.

114 Berkeley St, Carlton 3053

Friday 6 October 2009 @ 1.30pm. Coffee Brand 7 Seeds

Coffee – Espresso (Kenya Special Blend)

Score 17.5/20

By SamW

Allow me to first say that my palate was way off with this one*. I tasted black current and grapefruit but the tasting notes stated raisin and gentle earthy tones. What I can say with certainty was that this espresso is a single origin, but it is perfect on its own. The body was spectacular, voluptuous and well-balanced…like Salma Hayek. It was almost bitter-less and, like the aforementioned actor, ticks all the right boxes.

*I intend on visiting 7 Seeds again for a cupping session or a syphon to better understand the Kenya single origin.

Coffee – Short Macchiato (House Blend).

Score 15/20

By SamW

I was rather skeptical ordering this macchiato due to the last visit. So I was pleasantly surprise when my coffee came out and appeared to have less milk. The flavour was bitey and bold, paving the way for toasted nut and chocolate tones.

It was hard to tell how much milk was used it being served in a ceramic cup, but the flavours were well balanced, and it was a nice tasting coffee overall.

Coffee – Cafe Latte (House Blend)

Score 16/20

By SimonL

This was a carbon copy of the last Cafe Latte had here. Although it was straightforward, pleasant yet unspectacular, consistency is the key and we are starting to see that with on the second visit.

Well presented, good head thickness and texture, a creamy mouth-feel with faint caramel and nuttiness. Well integrated espresso and milk, but only just strong enough for me. This is the blend rather than the execution of the coffee talking.

Coffee – Ristretto (Kenya Special Blend)

Score 18/20

By SimonL

A funny thing happened with this coffee. It was sent out looking a bit short in the crema stakes. As I consumed it the barista was hastily delivering a second with the message that he wasn’t happy with the first. While this was pleasing, I was left wondering why the first was even sent out. Perhaps we were spotted for who we are and they were testing us?? However it is not our intention to be sending coffees back and/or complaining that it wasn’t right for fear of looking like a bit of a wanker. Our intention is to describe what is in front of us regardless of it’s presentation and execution.

However….I’ll take it on face value, acknowledge what happened and review the second ristretto.

This was entirely crema. Just sensational in its presentation, adherence to style and flavour. While ristretti (ristretto plural) don’t show the full range of flavour due to the extremely short pour; the oily smoothness, richness and concentration was divine. Amongst all that there was a bright acidity that tingled the taste buds and and an almost imperceptible bitterness on the finish…. more of a nod in the direction of…. than a definite character. Something that I haven’t experienced before was a watering of the mouth some seconds after consumption. A well deserved, high scoring ristretto.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 5/5

Busy 4/5

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7 Seeds – Carlton. 1st Review

114 Berkeley St, Carlton 3053

2 October 2009 @ 11.00am. Coffee Brand 7 Seeds Roast

Coffee – Espresso - House Blend

Score 17/20

By SimonL

I couldn’t really fault the presentation. Perfect length pour with a glistening, oily, dark caramel crema. I threw this back like a spirit shot and experienced an intense hit of flavour. Initially there was some fresh acidity that was then tempered by the incredibly smooth, fruity body and natural oils. The finish was fine and delicate and cleansing, with mild bitterness and good length. A well balanced and flavoursome coffee but I couldn’t help feeling that it needed a little more ooomph in the middle palate.

Coffee – Short Macchiato - House Blend

Score 12/20

By SamW

The real let-down in this coffee was the execution of the Macchiato*. It was presented in a small cup and full to the brim. The only thing I could see was the top of the espresso cup and it was bulging with milk (not foam). The crema appeared pale and looked a shadow of its former self. As previously noted in another review, I have issues with macchiato coffee served in a cup…I firmly believe it should be served in a glass. This macchiato was not true to style, and the heavy helping of milk washed all of the espresso flavours out of the coffee and into a milky sea.

What little flavour I could salvage with my milk-battered palette offered subtle and soft chocolate tones, with very little bitterness. So sure was I that it was a mistake, I ordered a long macchiato only to relive the experience of too much milk drowning out an otherwise brilliant coffee roast, delivered in a ceramic cup.

*I must reiterate that the particular roast of coffee was amazing…it was the execution and preparation of the macchiato that disappointed. This is solely my opinion, and I must acknowledge that this may well be 7 seeds’ interpretation of a macchiato and I respect that.

Coffee – Cafe Latte - House Blend

Score 16/20

By SimonL

There is not too much to say about this coffee. My wife’s coffee tastes came to mind with the first sip; well rounded with decent strength, creamy caramel richness but not over the top. However it was at the lowest strength tolerance level for me, but more importantly most punters would be perfectly happy with this. As usual good cafe latte’s like this are presented with a nice tanned/beige colour and a dense creamy-looking head about one index finger deep.

Coffee – Ristretto – Kenya blend

Score 18.5/20

By SamW

I feel comfortable hailing this coffee as the most satisfying ristretto to date. The Kenya blend matched the short-and-surly ristretto style like Brazilian waxing and Queensland.

The cup it was served in felt a little cool. The crema was so oily and rich, but it tasted so…so very fresh. The flavours that danced on my palette involved goji berry and stone fruit nectar (such as apricot), although I was later informed that raisin is the predominant flavour. This would be the perfect summer coffee…if there was such a thing.

This would have received a perfect score if only the cup was pre-heated.

Service 4/5

Ambiance 5/5

Busy 4/5

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