Coffio.info

As a profession making coffee drinks is the job of a barista. Obviously, how beans are judged will shape up from the experience.

Company buyers and ‘cuppers’ (professional tasters or coffee contest judges) along with the barista share the goal of discovering beans from which a great drink is produced. The efforts immediate feedback leading to failure or success is however received by the barista each day while standing in front of the final consumer.

Therefore, what exactly is the bean and its product quality can be found from the barista.

Approximately 25 degrees south or north of the equator’s band, beans are produced from coffee grown in around 70 countries from the Caribbean to South America, from the Middle East to Africa and over to Hawaii.

Naturally then, marked differences are shown on different countries beans due to the techniques, equipment, altitude and climate and countless other factors. So, radically diverse products will grow in varied plantations.

Robusta and Arabica are still two main categories the coffee plants come in. Solely used for the finest coffees the Arabica has half the caffeine in it compared to Robusta. Aroma filled and flavorful are its beans characteristics.

The Milds-arabica beans growing from plants at 3000 feet (915m) or higher are preferred as superior coffee grows at higher heights. On contrast grown in Brazil at a much lower height are Arabica beans called ‘Brazils’.

The categories widen for those desiring roasted. ‘Cinnamon’ (named due to the spice color and not because of the flavor) or light are there. Highly caffeinated and acidic are their characteristics.

As the major coffee vendors (Yuban, Folger, etc.) uses the same degree the medium or ‘American’ roast is extremely popular and slightly darker. According to majority barista’s standards not a quality cup.

Reducing the acid taste and caffeine, dark or ‘city’ roast is the process available in many specialty shops. Frequently, a less bitter but sweeter cup is resulted from this. For the regular espresso this is what’s normally used.

As, more full-bodied coffee is preferred by the French, the ‘French’ roast which is next in line is thus named. Possessing a sheen or oily texture the beans are very dark brown in appearance. For not confusing these with beans which only have been burnt sniff and look carefully.

Regularly used in espressos of special kind, the ‘Italian’ roast is the darkest on the drinkable scale. Making a fine cup are its distinctive pungent aroma and deep brown color.

Standing daily with an arsenal of machines and an array of choices, the barista should be given a thought next time you shop for beans. Beans are something that person knows.

Start With Good Tools

A great cup of coffee can’t be made with a dingy old filter and a coffee pot that’s older than you. Start your home coffee barista career with quality equipment that’s designed to last and made to make great coffee.

Look for a machine that has a stainless steel, reusable filter and a built-in water filter. For your coffee accessories like your scoop, choose a stainless steel scoop and clean it thoroughly after every use. Leftover coffee grinds and oil residue can affect the taste and flavor of the next batch.

Keep Your Coffee Fresh

The best way to keep your coffee fresh is to buy whole bean coffee in small batches of one to two week supplies. Then, keep your coffee at room temperature in an airtight container. Avoid extreme temperatures, moisture, odors and direct sunlight.

Grind each pot of coffee right before you brew it. Because grinding releases so much aroma and flavor, this is the best way to retain as much of that as possible.

Use Filtered Water

Always use filtered, pure or bottled water for your coffee. Tap water, while perfectly healthy, often contains a chlorine, metallic or mineral taste that can adversely affect your brew.

Measure Properly

The ideal amount of ground coffee is about one to two tablespoons for every six ounces of coffee. Once you have your machine and have settled on a particular blend or roast, try experimenting with different amounts to find that perfect balance.

Don’t Overbrew

Be sure your coffee pot is heating the water at a fast enough rate to avoid over brewing. If the water is boiling too slowly, this can slow the brewing process and make the coffee taste bitter and overbrewed.

Clean Your Pot Regularly

A good coffee pot is a clean coffee pot. So, clean out your coffee pot with mild soap after every use and make sure you rinse it thoroughly. Keep your machine running smoothly by decalcifying or descaling it as needed on a monthly or even annual basis.

Never Reheat Coffee

Once coffee has fallen below 175 degrees, its flavor begins to change. So, after a pot of coffee is finished or cooled, consider it done; then throw it out and brew another pot.

Coffee is a almost a food group to most people. It gets us going in the morning, keeps us going in the afternoon, and tastes good after a fine meal.

But coffee is no longer just “coffee”.. there are so many options now. Have you ever gone to a specialty coffee shop?.. It can be more complicated that getting a takeout burger! Non fat, low fat, espresso, double espresso, cappuccino, latte, low fat latte, chocolate latte.. and the list goes on, as you can add toppings.

This of course does not help the waistline any, but man it taste good. If you are unsure of what the basics are of specialty coffees, here is a quick breakdown.

Latte: dark roast coffee made with milk

Cappuccino: dark roast coffee made with steamed milk and milk foam on top

Espresso: caffeine jolt!.. concentrated dark roast espresso coffee.

Each one of the above can be altered with different roasts. So now you have to pick your roast, what type of milk or milk foam, and toppings of course!

You can make these at home, there are many machines on the market now, that will help you create your perfect cup of coffee, what ever form that is. No longer are we dependent on that old coffee percolator our parents or grandparents had, that was hauled out for Sunday breakfast!

With this new surge of coffee and coffee stores out there, there are coffee artists that will make your coffee look to good to drink. Check out the free video clip of a “Latte Artist” and you could get some ideas for impressing your friends with your new found coffee talents!

Who ever thought there would be such a thing as a coffee artist? Watch the free video clip and learn the techniques of the pros.