Counter Culture Coffee

Latte Art - Practice makes perfect and I am on my way after participating in another Mike Balderrama’s class at Counter Coffee Culture in DC. After learning how to extract the tasteful espresso shot in the CCC “Espresso at Home” class in April, in this class I was taught the technique on steaming milk (whole and oat) and learning how to make the four staple latte designs. Once again, Mike made a 2-hour session whiz by as he taught us how to create “art”, shared some “Did you know?” gems, and addressed all our questions. The small sized class of four people allowed time for hands-on experience on creating all the milk art designs by each person. Taking this class not only has me looking forward to practicing my new skill but it gives me appreciation for all those true barista’s with years of experience under their belt working to create those beautiful works of art regardless of the type of milk. Respect. Until next time!

I highly recommend taking the "Espresso at Home" CCC class! After failing to extract a decent espresso shot after one year owning my Breville Bambino, I searched for a class that would teach me "how-to", in-person, instead of videos on social media. I found a class that not only gave me the skills in pulling an espresso shot (make that a double) but also the knowledge, history, and science behind coffee in general – Counter Culture Coffee in Washington, DC. Mike Balderrama made this 3-hour session whiz by because of the fun, energized, and interesting way he taught the class. Tasting/drinking the espresso samples may have contributed also (lol). The class size was small, making it perfect and comfortable for everyone to ask questions and having Mike answer every single one. My class had a variety of why people were taking the class. From someone like me who owned their own machine to people wanting to learn about espresso/coffee before they invested in a machine. I appreciated Mike’s shared knowledge, and I left the class with a greater appreciation about coffee/espresso and less critical on my extraction skills and my espresso palette. Espresso, no matter how it may be extracted, is based on my own taste preference. And just when I thought the class was over, Mike gave the class a short lesson on steaming/texturizing milk and the skill of pouring a making “Latte Art.” I am already planning on taking Mike’s Latte Art class because now that I am pulling consistent and decent espresso, it would be nice to have my drinks look as beautiful as they tasted.

This is NOT A COFFEE SHOP This is a training center for their Wholesale partners. BUT COME IN EVERY FRIDAY AT 10am for a FREE coffee tasting. Hands down the best place for a coffee tasting in dc I’ve visited. Each week it’s a different coffee and a different method and you learn something new every visit.

this is not a coffee shop, they don't do retail (go next door to buy a cup or bag of coffee from Pleasant Pops), but it is a classy coffee training center and their tastings are fantastic on Fridays at 10am.

best place EVER!! The crew that works in there are really great, always so informative, super friendly, and their knowledge about coffee is intriguing to say the least.

Tasting at 10 rules!