Buying Tips:
When purchasing coffee, always ask when it was roasted. Many
common misconceptions exist when it comes to judging the
freshness and optimum time to experience a roasted coffee at its
peak of perfection. Generally coffee is best if used a day or
two after roasting, and if kept in an air-tight container,
flavor should not diminish significantly until after seven to
ten days. Old coffee beans may appear very oily, will have
little or no aroma, or will take on a somewhat unpleasant aroma.
Grinding Tip:
Never grind more coffee than you will use for immediate brewing.
Once the beans are ground, the flavorful oils are exposed to the
damaging air. As these oils dissipate, so will the flavor of
your coffee. Once ground, coffee will begin to lose its flavor
almost immediately. Different methods of brewing will require
different grind consistencies. Typically, coffee used for drip
brewing should be ground to a consistency similar to granulated
sugar. The complete drip cycle should occur within four to six
minutes. If the drip cycle is completed in less than four
minutes, grind your coffee finer. If the cycle takes longer than
six minutes, grind your coffee coarser. When using a French
press, the coffee will need to be ground extremely coarse.
Espresso requires an extremely fine grind...almost powder-like
with a slight grittiness. The key to the proper espresso grind
is the extraction time. After the proper dose and tamp, one
ounce of espresso should be extracted in approximately 25 to 30
seconds. Like drip coffee, if the one ounce extraction occurs in
less than 25 seconds, grind your coffee finer. If the extraction
occurs in longer than 30 seconds, grind your coffee coarser.
Talk to you local coffee professional for additional
information.
How Much Do You Use:
When making brewed coffee, allow 2 to 2 1/2 level tablespoons
for each 6 ounces of water (3 tablespoons for 8 ounces). For
espresso, allow 7 to 8 grams for a single shot, and 14 to 16
grams for a double shot. However, the perfect cup of coffee is
entirely subjective. It is our opinion that you should play
chemist and find the perfect amount for your palate.
1. Always use fresh roasted coffee.
2. Always grind the coffee as needed for each
use and be sure to use the proper grind setting.
3. Always use fresh drawn cold water.
4. Never guess amounts. As a rule of thumb, 2
tablespoons per 6 ounces of water.
5. Make sure the coffee maker is clean.
6. Remove grounds as soon as possible after
the coffee is brewed.
7. Serve the coffee immediately after brewing.
8. If coffee must be kept warm, try to hold it
at 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Brewed coffee stays palatable
for 20 minutes, drinkable for one hour maximum. The longer it is
held, the less desirable.
9. Never reheat coffee. Never allow brew to
boil, its flavor will turn bitter.
