Editor’s note: While
much of the content of Pillar to Post’s
weekly coffee coverage has been called “aimed at a second grader’s level of
coffee awareness” we need to stop here and understand all of us had to
experience the second grade before becoming Ph.d. level blog critics. The mission of this blog is simply to move
the queue toward better coffee appreciation for everyone even the last being in
line.
Having said that, Pillartopost.org daily
online magazine begins a three part series.
Today’s article is on what is coffee?
The following weeks will touch upon the ten
step journey of a flavorful coffee bean and finally, how to brew better coffee.
All this information (except the main
headline) came from the National Coffee Association and the information mill it
offers journalists and bloggers. www.nca.org
Let’s start.
PART 3. (Part 1 archived at Pillartopost.org
for June, 16, 2016. and Part 2 archived June 25, 2016).
BREWING ESSENTIALS.
Do you want a hearty mug at breakfast? A frothy afternoon cappuccino? Do you like it
hot or cold? Milder or more robust? The way you brew should be based on your
needs and your unique coffee preferences — there’s no single right technique
for everyone.
No matter how you like your coffee, check
out our essential tips and techniques for making and enjoying a great cup:
The Equipment
Make sure that your equipment — from bean
grinders and filters to coffee makers— is thoroughly cleaned after each use.
Rinse with clear, hot water (or wipe down thoroughly), and dry with an
absorbent towel. It’s important to check that no grounds have been left to
collect and that there’s no build-up of coffee oil (caffeol), which can make
future cups of coffee taste bitter and rancid.
If you’re using a single-serve coffee
maker, check our guide for keeping your machine in top shape.
If you’re looking for the best coffee maker
for your needs, check out this coffee maker buying guide from Consumer Reports.
The Beans
Great coffee starts with great beans. The
quality and flavor of your coffee is not only determined by your favorite
brewing process, but also by the type of coffee you select. There can be a
world of difference between roasts, so check out our roasting types guide.
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| Yemen coffee from almokha.com |
Some of the flavor factors include:
What country is the coffee from, and what
region?
What is the variety? Or is it a blend?
Do you favor a dark roast coffee, a light
blend or something in between?
What kind of grind have you selected?
While there are a lot of choices, remember
that there’s no right or wrong — you can choose a dark, flavorful espresso
roast coffee and still have it ground to be brewed in a drip system. Have fun
trying and enjoying different combinations.
Freshness
Purchase coffee as soon as possible after
it’s roasted. Fresh-roasted coffee is essential to a quality cup, so buy your
coffee in small amounts (ideally every one to two weeks). Check out our helpful
tips on how to store coffee to keep it as fresh and flavorful as possible.
And please, never reuse your coffee grounds
to make coffee. Once brewed, the desirable coffee flavors have been extracted
and only the bitter ones are left. Instead, check out these six ways to recycle
your old grounds.
The Grind
If you buy whole bean coffee, always grind
your beans as close to the brew time as possible for maximum freshness. A burr
or mill grinder is best because the coffee is ground to a consistent size.
A blade grinder is less preferable because
some coffee will be ground more finely than the rest. If you normally grind
your coffee at home with a blade grinder, try having it ground at the store
with a burr grinder. You’ll be surprised at the difference!
Do not underestimate the importance of the
size of the grind to the taste of your coffee. If your coffee tastes bitter, it
may be over-extracted, or ground too fine.
On the other hand, if your coffee tastes flat, it may be under-extracted,
meaning your grind is too coarse.
Check out this simple infographic to help
you determine the the best texture for your preferred brewing method.
If you're having the coffee ground to
order, tell the professionals where you purchase your coffee exactly how you
will be brewing it. Will you be using a French press plunger pot? A flat drip filter? A cone drip filter? A gold mesh filter? They will grind it
specifically for your preparation method.
Before using the coffee, rub some of the
grounds between your fingers so that you can feel the grind consistency and
become acquainted with the differences in size.
The Water
The water you use is very important to the
quality of your coffee. Use filtered or bottled water if your tap water is not
good or has a strong odor or taste, such as chlorine.
If you’re using tap water, let it run a few
seconds before filling your coffee pot, and be sure to use cold water. Avoid
distilled or softened water.
Coffee-to-Water Ratio
A general guideline is one to two
tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. This can be
adjusted to suit individual taste preferences.
Be sure to check the “cup” lines on your
brewer to see how they actually measure. And remember that some water is lost
to evaporation in certain brewing methods.
Water Temperature
Your brewer should maintain a water
temperature between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal extraction. Colder water will result in flat,
under-extracted coffee, while water that is too hot will also cause a loss of
quality in the taste of the coffee.
If you are brewing the coffee manually, let
the water come to a full boil, but do not over boil. Turn off the heat source
and allow the water to rest a minute before pouring it over the grounds.
Allow the coffee (or any hot beverage) to
reach a comfortable temperature before enjoying.
Brewing Time
The amount of time that the water is in
contact with the coffee grounds is another important flavor factor.
In a drip system, the contact time should
be approximately 5 minutes. If you are making your coffee using a plunger pot,
the contact time should be 2-4 minutes. Espresso has an especially brief brew
time — the coffee is in contact with the water for only 20-30 seconds.
If you’re not happy with the taste, it’s
possible that you’re either over-extracting (the brew time is too long) or
under-extracting (the brew time is too short). Experiment with the contact time
until the taste suits you perfectly.
Espresso animated
Prepared coffee begins to lose its optimal
taste moments after brewing, so only make as much coffee as you’ll drink.
Otherwise, coffee can be poured into a warmed, insulated thermos to be used
within the next 45 minutes.
While you want to enjoy the beverage while
it's fresh, be sure to allow any hot beverage to cool to a comfortable
temperature before consumption.
A finely prepared cup of coffee should be
enjoyed as thoughtfully as it was brewed. Many people have been instrumental in
bringing it to your cup.
Take a moment to smell the aroma. Take a
sip and notice your coffee's flavor. How does it compare to other coffees with
regard to body, acidity and balance?
If it’s a coffee that is new to you, notice
how it’s different. If it’s what you
normally drink, note its degree of freshness, or how simple changes in preparation
affect the cup's flavor.
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| metric (water) tablespoon (ground coffee) |
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