Over the years I have tasted the evolving espresso roasts that Vancouver based Milano Coffee Roasters has had on the bar in their own cafes as well as ones that they supply. I visited with owners Brian and Linda Turko recently in their Gastown cafe to sample some of their new coffees and espresso roasts.  Brian talks coffee and music, he is one of the most versed men in the city and can talk about coffee for hours from the bean to the roasting to the sip, taste and flavour profile, he is also a guitarist who loves to talk music. Linda and I could talk for hours about coffee, food and life.

This past summer I toured their coffee roasters in False Creek, Linda showed me the roaster that roasts much of what they supply to their stores, this was the star of the roaster she explained.

I had a taste of their Lucky 13, Master Roaster Brian Turko’s 13 bean espresso blend – one of the techniqueliest espresso fusions in the world.

Next was the Truffle Shot, a single pour of La Futura, winner of the Italian Gold Medal – the Medaglia d’oro, with a deep robust flavour and smooth like a chocolate truffle.

With west coast roots and Italian soul, Brian and Linda Turko, the founders of Milano Coffee, have been making days a little better by sharing their passion for artisan coffee and espresso in Vancouver for over three decades.  A master roaster, trained in the Torrefazzioni method, Brian’s La Futura espresso won international recognition with a gold medal at Italy’s fourth annual International Coffee Tasting Competition in 2013.  With three Espresso Lounges in Vancouver, guests can discover the artistry of Milano’s world-class espresso right at home.

You can visit Milano Coffee Roasters and café at 156 West 8th Avenue in Vancouver. You can also find them online at http://www.milanocoffee.ca/ and follow them on Twitter @MilanoRoasters

By: Richard Wolak