Coffee 101: Brew Ratios

It's all about proportions, proportions, proportions. Learn how much of this and that you need to use.

When you see coffee from the perspective of composition solely, it’s just ground coffee beans mixed with water. Whether it’s a sweet, complex, balanced and aromatic coffee, or a sour or bitter one, what can tell you how good it tastes, will depend on two things: the quality of both the coffee beans and water of choosing, as well as how we decide to mix them.

The element of mixing (or brewing) can get pretty elaborate. The grind size, brew time, water temperature and brewing device are all determining factors for the success or failure of coffee preparation. It’s all so subjective, yet with a scientific twist.

The topic of discussion on this particular article is the brew ratio. This is nothing more than the ratio of ground coffee that comes in contact with water, as simple as that’s also something that will affect your beverage’s strength, mouthfeel, and caffeine content.

The importance of rating

All coffee brews flavor vary according to the recipe. And just as in baking a cake, there are specific coffee recipes. The amount of each ingredient does matter. If you augment or decrease the amount of water (or coffee grounds), you can not only alter the coffee’s taste but its concentration and thickness too.

This is why many baristas and coffee lovers all over the world use implements like scales and timers when brewing.

The Ideal Ratio: Myth or Reality?

A tip from That Coffee Roasters: the rate of extraction (which is the speed of the grounds as they enter the brew from the grounds), and the brew time (this means how much time the water and coffee grounds spend together) might sound similar, but are very different, nonetheless. Never to be confused.

It’s always good to learn about how different cultures prefer their coffee. Some countries take more fine brews; while other ones, go for intense brews.

On a second note, many people will recommend different brewing ratios, but it always depends on the coffee.

Let us explain with some examples. A filter coffee made at 1:20 would be a rather weak and diluted cup, while a 1:10 would be incredibly intense. These are the two ends of the scale; the balance is ideal. The idea is to be able to perceive the fragrances, aromas, flavors, and acidity, and all the notes that a refined palate can taste.

Also, some people brew their coffee with a relatively small amount of water to get the intensity desired. Then, to avoid a heavy mouthfeel, they proceed to dilute the coffee with more water.

Some Other Important Notions

Your coffee brew ratio is a determinant factor, but there are other things you should consider such as the type of water, grind profile, temperature, etc.

If your coffee isn’t tasting as you’d like it to, you could start by changing one variable at a time and keeping everything else with consistency. The easiest one to start with is the grind size.

If your coffee is sour, salty, or lacking body, then grind the beans finer, as this will increase the contact area, thus increasing the speed of coffee extraction, resulting in the desired flavor. This gives an extra buzz of caffeine as well.

On the other hand, if your coffee is slightly bitter, grind it coarser. This will decrease the contact area, thus reducing the speed of extraction, and preventing all of the bitterness from entering the brew.

If you have any comments or want to add some other useful tips, please do so on the comment section below, and don’t hesitate in subscribing on our That Coffee Roasters networks.

There's a fine line between "too little" and "too much," and it can radically change the flavor of your coffee.

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters  

How to Taste Different Flavors in a Cup of Coffee

What do you look for in your cup?

Relax, we know how confusing talking about coffee can be. When people start talking about specialty coffee and how bold its body is or how acidic it tastes, all we can think about is: isn’t coffee just bitter and sometimes sweet if you add sugar? At first, we might be skeptical about how different coffee can actually be depending on its properties and origins, but once you learn to tell its nuances and qualities, a new world of flavors and contrasts will open up right in front of you.

So where do we begin? Is there a right way to drink coffee to better understand its characteristics? On today’s article, we’ll explore how we can train our senses to enjoy all that coffee truly has to offer.

The first thing you’ll need to do: forget about sugar and cream. We tend to add different ingredients to our coffee to make it sweeter, but they mask the best properties hidden behind coffee when it’s brewed pure. You’ll be able to sense more if you drink it simple and black. That’s how professionals do coffee cupping, which is the practice of tasting different brews to identify their different notes.

Exactly what will you be able to distinguish when you try it this way? Among others, you get to discover a new fragrance, aroma, sweetness, acidity, body and the aftertaste. Here’s how to find them in your cup of joe.

Fragrance perception

This part of the process is done with your dry coffee grounds, because it’s believed to be the most aromatic coffee form. Try to clear your mind and let your memories take over when smelling your grounds. This way, you’ll be able to tell if your coffee has fruity, floral or herbal notes. Once you’ve identified the predominant fragrance, you can even go further and try to specify its qualities. If it’s fruity, what kind of fruit do you smell? Is it citric like oranges or sweet peaches?

Aroma perception

This is the first time you’ll be mixing coffee with hot water, which will provoke the coffee aromas to arise. This part of the process depends heavily on how the coffee was roasted; you’ll be able to differentiate these three main categories: nutty-like notes, caramel-like notes and cocoa-like notes. The last two are typical of darker roasts and they’re perfect to take along with chocolate desserts. If, on the other hand, you sense a nutty-like aroma, then you can try to find descriptors such as almonds, peanuts or hazelnuts.

Sweetness

It’s time to taste coffee! Yes, you finally get to drink it. The first sips will let you know how sweet your coffee really is. It can actually come in different notes, such as candy-like, malty-like and fruity-like sweetness. Try to concentrate on how sweet your coffee tastes, so you can actually tell these notes apart from other coffee qualities.

Acidity

Acidity is one of the most popular qualities of coffee. Highly acidic coffees are usually light roasted and they’re perfect to accompany with fruity desserts like pies. You can tell the acidic grade of your coffee if your tongue starts to salivate once you start tasting it thoroughly. Possible descriptors include acid comparable to oranges or lemons and acid similar to green apples.

Body

We’ve reached the famous body. What are people talking about when they say coffee has a full body? It doesn’t describe too much about the taste as it does about the texture. Think about water and the way it feels inside your mouth. Now think about maple syrup, one is fuller than the other and feels heavier in your mouth, right? That’s the body of the drink! To identify this quality, take a sip and fake chew the coffee on your tongue. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does it feel heavy like syrup or honey?
• Does it feel rugged because of small coffee ground particles?
• Is there no real feeling and it’s actually more watery?

Aftertaste

You’ve sipped your coffee all the way through, what’s left? This part of the cupping process simply refers to how much aftertaste comes with the brew? Help yourself by inhaling a little bit of air and allowing yourself to feel if there’s a strong taste left behind or if it’s gone almost completely.

Once you learn to distinguish the tones and nuances of every cup, you’ll also be able to enjoy coffee like never before. At That Coffee Roasters, part of our daily routine involves cupping and identifying our roasts qualities. It’s complex but a wonderful process, and we’re always amazed at how much some processing and farming methods can change a single drink.

What are your favorite flavors?

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters

How to Pick the Right Coffee Grinder for You

How to tell apart good coffee grinders from bad ones.

When it comes to coffee equipment, technology has made it a little confusing to actually pick what’s best for us. There are so many options and so many fancy gadgets that sometimes we feel like if we don’t get the best and newest tool, we’re not making a good investment. Now, most people brew ground coffee, but if you’d like to get into the world of specialty coffee and start playing with the possibilities that lie hidden behind every cup, then you should definitely start by grinding your own roasted coffee.

Why grind it when you can have it pre-ground?

Coffee is a product that’s always best consumed when fresh. The more recently-roasted the beans are, the better they’ll taste, because once the roasting is done, the beans immediately start to release aromas that can make a huge difference when it comes to flavor. On the other hand, if you want to immerse yourself into the world of coffee brewing and try different recipes and methods, then you most definitely need to have control over the grind size, since it needs to be perfect for your brewer and not too coarse or too fine.

Experimenting with different sizes will also allow you to manipulate your coffee’s flavor. But which grinder should you use then? On today’s article, we hope to shed some light on the alternatives so you can pick wisely and start having fun!

Blade vs. Burr

The first thing you need to know is that there are two main types: blade grinders and burr grinders. The former are, obviously, made of blades that slice coffee beans into multiple parts. The longer this kind of grinder is on, the finer your coffee will become. Some people advice to stick to burr grinders over blade ones, mainly because the later chops rather than grinds, which can result in an inconsistent grind. They also heat up the beans which can potentially change the flavor.

Burr grinders basically have two burrs, one that stays still and the other that is attached to a motor and rotates. Rather than chopping the beans, these types of grinders crush them and because the force of impact isn’t concentrated in one specific point, the final result tends to be more consistent. However, they tend to be more expensive and can use more energy. They can  be worth it though; a better grinder will make better coffee than most brewers will.

If you choose burr grinders, you can pick between flat blades and conical ones.  Conical grinders are known to be more precise as they can be adjusted by degrees. They’re also more expensive than flat blade grinders, since these only allow to set the disks together for finer grounds or further apart for coarser ones.

Besides all of the above, other things you need to consider are how often and how much will you grind. Once you’ve got your own coffee powder, you should be aware that it’ll go stale pretty quickly, so if you don’t need coffee in large quantities, then you should probably stick to smaller coffee grinders, especially since many of them are so big that they hardly fit countertop units.

Finally, the right choice for you will also depend on whether you tend to try different types of brews and coffee makers. If you like to go from a french press to an espresso, then you’ll need a grinder that allows you to set different settings for specific coffee machines.

The important thing is to have fun experimenting with beans and discovering how they can change and affect our cup of coffee. At That Coffee Roasters, we believe there are few things in life that say morning coffee as freshly grinded coffee. Those are the little details that make every day worth living to the fullest.

Have you ever ground your own coffee?

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters

The Best YouTube's Coffee Channels You Need To Subscribe To Right Now!

One of the best things about the Internet is how easily we can connect with people who have the same interests as ours. We can share our passions without fear of being judged, and we can make friends that understand us while learning from their own experiences.

Anyone who tells you social media does nothing but isolate people and leave them friendless, hasn’t been using them properly. When it comes to us, coffee is our ultimate passion and we’re constantly surfing the web to find like-minded people and enjoy their content as we work on ours. YouTube is one of those platforms that are perfectly fitted to build a community around one subject or activity.

Today, we’re bringing you some of the best YouTube coffee channels we’ve found out there! Spend your free time learning about cafés from all over the world, coffee production processes, new techniques for coffee brewing and baristas, as well as latte art essentials. One thing we’re sure about is that you won’t be able to resist the urge of brewing yourself a cup of coffee to enjoy while watching these videos.

European Coffee Trip

Are you a fan of vlogs? Then this channel is perfect for you. Join two friends as they explore the buzzing European coffee scene, discover the best cafés in over 80 cities and meet some of the greatest and most famous coffee personalities in the continent. One new video is uploaded every week! Their love and passion for coffee are absolutely contagious.

Re:Co Symposium

If you’re professionally dedicated to the coffee industry, this channel has your name all over their videos. Find lectures, reflections and conversations about the future of coffee as a commodity and find out where the industry is headed, by listening to the people who work directly with it. How can we make the coffee market better than it already is? That’s the question this YouTube channel is constantly asking.

Dritan Alsela

Do you find latte art videos absolutely satisfying and mesmerizing to watch? We do too, which is why we adore Dritan Alsela’s channel. He’s a European barista with over 19 years of experience in the coffee industry, and he teaches latte art techniques on his YouTube channel. His videos are very well produced and we guarantee you won’t be able to stop watching and learning from them.

Specialty Coffee Association of America

The SCA’s channel is full of fascinating content about the social responsibility of the coffee industry and its producers. Learn about coffee sustainability, profitability, finances and so much more by browsing through their content. SCA acts as a unifying force to build an industry that’s fair and nurturing for all, drawing on years of insights and inspiration from the specialty coffee community.

RealChrisBaca

Professional barista Chris Baca, attempts to bring the world of specialty coffee to YouTube by sharing content about new trends, business advice and coffee education. He also reviews new products and machines in the market, shows them on camera and gives his opinion after using them. He has an outgoing and fun personality that makes his videos entertaining and easy to watch.

Tell us which videos you enjoyed the most in the comments below and share with us your favorite coffee content! If you want to start practicing or applying some of their techniques and advices, head to That Coffee Roasters online store to find the best coffee products to start on the right foot!

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters

I’ll Have It Cold: The Best Ways To Prepare Cold-Brewed Coffee

Don't let winter stop you from trying these fantastic recipes!

Before we start today’s article, let us ask you a question: is iced coffee the same thing as a cold-brewed coffee? If your answer is yes, then keep reading! You’re about to be surprised by how different making cold-brewed coffee can be. If your answer is no, then you’re definitely one of us!  Stick with us if you love your coffee cold and rich in flavors. We’re here to explore the best recipes to make cold-brewed coffee right at home.

First, let’s clarify a little bit why both types are different. Basically, iced coffee is coffee that was brewed hot and was cooled afterward, either by letting it sit in the fridge for a while or by adding ice to the beverage. If you’ve read our articles before, you know that coffee tastes exceptionally better when it’s drunk fresh and just-brewed. That's because it gets stale very fast. So when you have iced coffee, your drink is bound to be more acidic. It will also get watered down quite rapidly if you used ice.

However, when we talk about cold-brewed coffee, we’re referring to coffee that was cooled up before it was brewed. You can do this by keeping your coffee grounds at lower temperatures by soaking it in water. When they’re cold enough, you can just simply prepare your beverage, and you’ll find that the final result will be a richer coffee whose flavors will be deliciously enhanced.  Let’s look at some of them and try with different recipes!

Classic cold-brewed coffee

This one will be the basis of all other recipes. There are many ways to make cold-brewed coffee at home, so you can always try different alternatives to see which one gives you better results. One thing you will need is extra coarse coffee grounds (the fresher they’ve been roasted, the better). If you don’t have a cold-brewing machine, then a French press will suit you just fine. Soak ⅔ cups of coffee in three cups of water for 12 hours. Then simply use the plunger to push all grounds to the bottom, and that’s it! When you serve it, remember to dilute it using a 1:1 coffee and water ratio.

Cocobrew

Finding anything more refreshing than coconut water is hard. That makes it perfect to try with a cold-brewed coffee recipe. Just mix your cold-brewed coffee with a double amount of coconut water, drop in a few ice cubes, and stir. Coconut with coffee might sound like an odd combination, but it tastes delicious when your coffee is cold. The decidedly sweet and smooth character of cold-brewed coffee is a perfect foundation for coconut to expand upon.

Vanilla almond swirl

If you’re all for sweet beverages, then this one’s definitely worth trying. All you need is almond milk, 2-3 drops of vanilla extract, a pinch of cinnamon, and ice. Mix it all with 50-100 ml of cold-brewed coffee. You’ll find a source of the most delicious aromas! Sprinkle cinnamon on the top but remember not to add too much of anything. The cold-brewed coffee is still your main ingredient.

Cold-brewed mocha

Some of us can’t help adding chocolate to almost everything we consume, and with a good dark roast, the temptation to prepare a cold-brewed mocha is just too irresistible to let it pass. All you’ll need is ½ cup of cacao grounds, 3 cups of water, and ¼ cup of coarse ground coffee. Combine all ingredients and let it sit overnight. Strain and serve over ice. To make it even sweeter, add milk or cream!

Which one of these recipes are you going to try? Experiment with different ingredients to bring all refreshing and flavorful qualities of cold-brewed coffees! Pick among our dark roasts’ selection and let your creativity run wild. Let us know how it went! Follow us on our social media to find new recipes and ways to enjoy coffee!

Invite your friends over and make some recipes together!

Source: Homegrounds and Taza Chocolate

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters

Cultural Icons Who Were Huge Coffee Addicts

Did you know they were addicted to coffee?

Art can be exhausting, unforgiving and full of raw passions. The same can be said for politicians', philosophers', and thinkers' job. It's no surprise then that so many people have found solace in the distinct taste and aroma of a great cup of coffee. It's perfect to replenish the energy of those tormented minds of inspired souls who lack a good night of sleep.

Some of these icons went to the extreme when consuming coffee, and others have dedicated part of their work to this beloved drink as it made their lives better in one way or another. From modern comedians to novelists from the XVIII century, coffee has conquered many hearts, and we’ve gathered them all here for you!

If you don’t understand why coffee has been such a great ally to creative people, perhaps realist writer, Honoré de Balzac, can explain it better than anyone else: “Coffee glides into one’s stomach and sets all of one’s mental processes in motion. One’s ideas advance in column of route like battalions of the Grande Armée [...] Were it not for coffee one could not write, which is to say one could not live.”

The novelist was known for consuming as many as 50 cups a day to maintain his extreme creative outbursts when working. Nowadays, there’s even a brand of coffee with his name. Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood, another famous coffee lover, has also lent her name to one of this brand's products.  

But literature hasn’t been the only branch of art benefitted by coffee. Musicians have always been some of the most famous coffee addicts the world has seen. Beethoven meticulously counted 60 beans by hand in each cup of coffee, composer Johann Sebastian Bach wrote an opera named The Coffeecantata, and many modern singers, like Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan or Ella Fitzgerald, have included their love for this beverage in their songs.

Moving on to more recent days, many popular celebrities are very outspoken about their coffee dependence. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld even went on to make a comedy series called Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, with the appearance of the likes of David Letterman, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Jim Carrey and many others.

Many other artists and celebrities have also created their own coffee lines. David Lynch, a famous writer and director, has its own signature brand, as well as Hugh Jackman. Just as one would expect, Leonardo DiCaprio’s line is dedicated to incentivize sustainable production and donate to environmental causes.

In the line of thinkers, philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre or Voltaire had all in common their love for coffee. Actually, the Danish social critic Kierkegaard used to drink his coffee with approximately 60 sugar cubes. And if you think that’s extreme, Voltaire drank up to 50 cups of java per day.

Now, this list wouldn’t be complete without some of the greatest coffee consumers of all time: world leaders and politicians. Perhaps one of the most impressive ones is Theodore Roosevelt, who used to drink a gallon of coffee a day with 5 to 7 lumps of sugar in each cup. Benjamin Franklin also sold his own coffee beans, and Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly asked for coffee on his own deathbed.

Of course, too much of anything will be bad for your health, but sometimes it’s hard to rationalize with passionate people. In That Coffee Roasters we also consider ourselves coffee addicts, but how couldn’t we? What about you? Do you also use coffee to fuel your inspiration and creativity? How much coffee do you drink every week? Let us know in the comments and stay updated with our new content!

If these cultural icons were huge fans of coffee, you can be one too!

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters