Coffee Machine Choice Firstly – why get a machine? What’s wrong with a percolator or a stove top moka pot?.. The very basic answer is that coffee from a percolator or a moka pot tastes like complete toilet when compared with what can be achieved using a good quality coffee machine. But the machines cost […]
Coffee Roasting Processes and Bean Choices This is one of the most involved topics due to the science and processes involved – just about all of which, you as the consumer do not need to know (although I’m finding that more and more people want to know regardless – thus the article). Firstly though, what […]
How to look after your new Beans You have purchased your beans (after making a selection based on previous articles The importance of knowing your green bean origin and What influences your choice of coffee?) – great work. Basically, store them in an air tight container away from sunlight and any heat whatsoever (hopefully […]
What influences your choice of coffee? Do you source your beans directly from a roaster? A shop or supermarket? Why?… Price? Convenience? Relationship? Routine? Answers to these will determine whether coffee is just something to turn a cup of water black and then litter your tongue with flavours of dirt and rubbish tip – […]
Milk Texturing As far as milk selection and texturing goes – full cream milk is generally easier to texture and will smooth out the flavours – muting them somewhat (more so than skim milk). It will also generally taste a little sweeter. Skim milk is a bit harder to texture properly and will lend itself […]
What style have you got?… Hand crank, flat burr, conical burr, etc… After selecting the best beans available, this really is the most important item for you to consider. A basic rule of thumb is that you should spend at least ½ to 2/3 of your budget on your grinder – I’m not kidding… This […]
Should you find out what you are drinking? Will this information benefit you as the consumer? Can this help you down the street when trying to find a good cup? A resounding ‘yes’ to all three I’d wager… Find out what you are drinking – what is the exact variety and origin of your beans? […]
The Extraction Process And Getting It Right… This article aims to please from a novice level – right up to the ‘coffee insane’ (not to be confused with the ‘criminally insane’). It covers core fundamentals as well as more technical aspects and techniques. I hope you get a lot out of it. Cheers. The basic […]
Before we start – a bit of a glossary for the uninitiated… Portafilter – the bit with a basket where you pack you coffee grinds into that has a large handle extending from it. Group head – the block of metal where you lock the portafilter into before starting the pump on your coffee machine. […]
A question has burned a hole in me for many years now – Why (specifically) does a change in brew temperature result in a change in the discernable flavour in the cup? What is actually happening in this process that has such a dramatic influence over the flavours – allowing a skilled brewer to find […]