Coffee is both art and science, but science has become increasingly predominant in recent years.
Thermometers measure brew water temperature, timers measure pours and brew times, and scales weigh grounds, water and brewed coffee/espresso.
One of the newest gadgets are refractometers, which measure total dissolved solubles.
Blooming your coffee allows carbon dioxide to be released from the beans which will give you a better flavor and better extraction. It’s a step that should not be skipped in your brewing process!
Brewing freshly roasted coffee grounds creates a frothy head much like a beer’s. Whereas the head is desirable in beer and enhances flavor, the head that develops during coffee brewing interferes with extraction and negatively affects flavor.
To best brew fresh coffee, the head should first be dissipated via blooming.
Two Similar Coffee Makers When you look at them, the Kono Coffee Dripper (also called the Meimon) and the Hario V60 appear quite similar. In a broad sense they are. Both coffee makers use the conical form to make great cups of coffee. The Kono has narrow, straight lines in its bottom half that direct …
Kona coffees are known for being sweet and complex, rich and mellow. It lacks any sharpness of taste. At a medium roast, these taste qualities are highlighted. However, that’s just the start and every Kona coffee tastes a little bit different.
Kona coffee is unique among coffees. It is only grown on a small part of the Big Island of Hawaii: the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai. These hillsides have fresh volcanic soil and are situated in near-perfect conditions for growing coffee.
Coffee farms have become tourist destinations. Most people only experience Kona coffee when they visit the island state, perhaps bringing a bag of happy coffee memories home with them.
You can buy Kona coffee online and in some coffee stores, but the price is very high.
Is Kona coffee worth it? Yes, I think so. Let’s take a look at what makes this coffee expensive, but special.
If you are looking to expand your knowledge on coffee flavor profiles and the nuances of coffees from Brazil and Colombia, this guide is for you. For each, we’ll look at the growing conditions and industry, the flavor profiles, and brewing methods. Finally we’ll show you how to brew coffee the Brazilian way.
You have probably already tasted both Brazilian and Colombian coffee. Their coffees are famous and widely available the world over.
Brazil is the world’s largest producer at 1/3 of the world’s coffee supply, and is famous for its dark coffees with rich flavors. For that reason, a lot of Brazilian beans are used for espresso.
Colombian coffee growers have long focused on the U.S. as their major market. Colombia is the third largest grower of coffee beans and is famous for bright, fruity, and floral flavors in its coffee.
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a well-made espresso machine, and has developed a large and loyal following. Many of its fans have modified their machines in ways that improve and/or personalize the model.
Some mods can be more complicated than others, without producing much difference to the end result of your espresso. But some upgrades are pretty simple, and don’t require much investment.
Here are the different mods and upgrades that you can make to the Gaggia Classic Pro, listed in order of importance. You’ll find something in our guide to suit your desired level of involvement and complexity when modding your Gaggia Classic Pro.
Espresso is perhaps the most vibrant way to enjoy coffee. The use of pressure during brewing brings out aromas and flavors that other brew methods can’t produce, and espresso’s strength makes it suitable for many different drinks.
It can be a bit daunting to know how to get started – there’s a lot of equipment involvement, not to mention the mechanics of pulling a shot.
But if you’re interested in learning more about the nitty-gritty of espresso grinds, here’s the Espresso 101 guide that you need – we’ll cover what espresso is, how to make it, and how it’s used.
Siphon coffee is enjoying a resurgence among cafes and home baristas that enjoy the performance of brewing. The brew method is hardly new, however. Where Does Siphon Coffee Come From? Siphon coffee was originally invented in the 1800s, as people were looking for an alternative to boiling coffee. Espresso (~1901), pour-over (~1908), French press (~1929) …
Matt Perger is an Australian barista and coffee expert known primarily for winning the World Brewers Cup in 2012. He won that title with the Hario V60 method below. He’s also won 2nd and 3rd place in 2 World Barista Championships (2013 and 2011 respectively). Perger’s V60 method is simple and produces fantastic results. It …
Two of the most straightforward ways to brew coffee are the Chemex and the French press. Both make high-quality coffees that please many people. However, the coffees created are quite different from each other. Which is right for you? Let’s see. Overview Both coffee makers look a bit like glass jugs. A frame surrounds the …