Judi Spiers on Saturday

Learning new skills from coffee master

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I HAD a friend who once said they couldn't possibly come and stay with me, as I didn't have one of those coffee pod machines!

OK, so I agree my jar of instant tastes a lot different from the dark brew they emit. Perhaps they should call it something else? But I like it. I do make 'proper' coffee when anyone comes for dinner. I've got a 40-year-old cafetière, and there's usually some ground stuff at the back of the fridge left over from the last time someone came. To be honest, I'm never quite sure, when I serve it, if it’s any good... as I don’t drink it.

But I thought it was about time I knew what was what when it comes to coffee... and, as someone who likes it with a good drop of frothy milk, I fancied doing what they call ‘latte art’. You know, a swan or a heart on top! So, when I saw a home brew barista course at Voyager Coffee, on the edge of Dartmoor, I was in like Flynn!