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  

The Chemistry of Coffee

Have you ever wondered why caffeine gives you that extra kick of energy? Especially in the morning?

Coffee is unique among all the other artisanal beverages, this is because the brewer plays a key role in its final result at the point of consumption. In contrast, drinkers buy beverages like beer or wine as finished products; their only consumer-controlled variable is the temperature at which you drink them or if you decide to add other ingredients to them.

Coffee lovers ask: dear That Coffee Roasters, why does the coffee produced by a barista at a café tastes different than the same coffee that I brew at home?

Dear readers, it may be due to the barista’s years of training, but in a more profound instance, it’s their ability to harness the principles of chemistry and physics.

The variables of temperature, the particle size distribution of the grounds, the water-coffee ratio, and time, all play crucial roles in producing a tasty cup. It’s how we control these variables that allow for that cup to be reproducible over and over again.

Did you know…?

Coffee’s flavor involves over 1,000 chemical compounds. The primary tastes perceived on the tongue are important, but the hundreds of aromatics in coffee are smelled rather than tasted.

The Chemistry of Coffee: What Makes it Taste so Good?

Here at That Coffee Roasters, we took the task of decomposing and analyzing all elements that make coffee have its unique and characteristic flavor and aroma.

• The sweetness comes from sugars, which mostly caramelize during the roasting to produce toastiness and the dark tones of caramel. This is complemented and accentuated by caramel-like aromatics.
• Bitterness is crucial because, without it, coffee would be unrecognizable. Bitterness helps to balance the acidity in all brews. Aromatics can, in turn, balance the bitterness, making it altogether a beverage full of equilibrium and cadence. The balance of complementary tastes is key to the perfect flavor. Caffeine provides about 10% of the bitterness of coffee, but it’s not the only compound in the bean. Trigonelline (a.k.a niacin) is bitter, but when the beans are roasted it converts most of it to pyridines, which taste warm and toasty.
• The acidity is another complex matter. Fruit acids contribute fine acidity that can be noted at the table. Citric acid is one of the strongest, but malic (also found in apples) and tartaric (found in grapes) are nuances in comparison. An acid profile is considered more complex with a balance of these, typical of beans grown at high altitudes (robusta).
• Compounds such as Chlorogenic Acids (CGA) degenerate in roasting into caffeic and quinic acids, and phenols. The CGA are perceived as more bitter on the palate, while quinic acid is rather sour and bitter.
• Aromatic acids (such as lactic and acetic acids) can be smelled as well as tasted by most of us. Some develop when the fruit is separated from the seed, others during roasting as sugars caramelize. A little is pleasurable, but in bigger quantities, it sours the coffee, too much of this can ferment the coffee.
• Aromatic compounds. As their name suggests, make the aroma and are caused in part by Maillard reactions, which occur when a sugar adhere to an amino acid (the building blocks of a basic protein).
• Furans are the most abundant and frequent class of aromatics in all species of coffee and contribute to its taste with caramel aromas from the sugars decomposed from the heat of roasting.
• Pyrazines are the second most abundant kind, with deeper, more toasty aromas. They can be perceived even in small doses, and so contribute much to the aroma. One pyrazine, which gives an earthy, strong aroma, is also a flavor constituent in bell peppers.

Coffee is a complex beverage, yet rich and full of unique flavors. That Coffee Roasters brings you the best information about coffee and its different areas of knowledge. Did you enjoy our article? Do you have any questions for us? Then follow us on our social networks and leave your comments and questions in the section below.

Coffee can prove to be even beneficial to your health.

That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters

Coffee-to-go: Starbucks Hacks

There are a few useful tips that can save you money at Starbucks or any other coffee shop.

Attention coffee lovers of the world, here are a couple of facts: the best way to save money in coffee is to make it at home. Now, the second best way is to buy it somewhere cheaper than Starbucks, but the third best way is to hack your Starbucks order to pay less for the same drink.

According to us, these Starbucks tips and tricks could save you money and get you a tastier drink. Some of our facts hacks are innocent, others… not so much. Here’s a compilation of the best Starbucks hacks from the pros.

That Coffee Roasters Presents: The Best Starbucks Hacks Ever

• Order a latte with chai syrup instead of a dirty chai. It results in the same thing without the cost of added espresso shots to a chai latte
• If you have a sore throat or feel like you’re gonna get a cold, the “cough drop” is a drink almost all baristas will recognize, and it's made with emperors cloud, jade citrus mint, steamed lemonade instead of water, and a pack of honey added, perfect for winter
• Having iced drinks shaken can make all the difference, try it with an iced green tea latte, request that your drink is shaken because baristas won't always do it if you don't ask
• If you aren't sure of a brew or drink, ask for a sample. If the store isn't full, they will be happy to let you try something before buying
• You can get yourself a low-cost “iced latte” if you order a triple espresso over ice in a Venti cup. Then go over to the condiment area to fill up your cup with milk
• If you use your own cup, you get ten cents off, no matter the drink size
• Share a French Press. Are you having a coffee meeting? Order a French Press, it costs half the price of the equivalent single coffees. Plus it provides a more communal ritual
• For the lowest-cost-ever latte, order an iced Americano with no water, then add the milk yourself from the communal pitcher
• Iced teas are double-strength in the pitcher and then watered down for serving. Ask for a “no water” for a much stronger flavor
• Order a short cappuccino, it's the closest they come to making a regular double-shot cappuccino that you'd get at a top-tier coffee shop. Also, it's quite cheaper
• If you don’t tolerate overheated brews, order your drink at “kids” temperature. They will serve you a drink at 135 degrees that’s way easier to drink and get the full flavor of the coffee
• Chai lattes (hot brews) are made with hot water to even out the flavor. If you enjoy cinnamon/chai flavors, then we recommend asking for a chai latte with no water. For even better flavor, ask for Soy
• If they run out of Pumpkin Spice Latte at the end of the season and you really crave it, ask for one pump each of chai and white chocolate mocha

Voilá! As you have read, That Coffee Roasters brings a different perspective to the world of coffee. Did you enjoy our article? Do you have any questions about it? Then follow us on our social networks and leave your comments and questions in the section below.

Save money and enjoy better products with these simple hacks.

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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

Before You Die: The Bucket List for Coffee Addicts

Pack your bags and go on an adventure!

If you only had one wish before leaving this world, what would you ask for? Would it be more time to share with your loved ones? Would it be one final good meal? Would it be one last glorious, sublime, perfect cup of your favorite coffee?... No. That’s too much, right? Yeah, we wouldn’t do that. Of course not. We enjoy coffee, but even we have boundaries. We’re not addicts. And anyway, there are more important things... isn't it?

Who are we kidding? We would totally do that. But, hey, don’t judge us! Napoleon Bonaparte was known for asking a spoonful of coffee on his deathbed, so we wouldn’t be the first ones to do it. We’re not totalitarian conquerors, we know, but we can love caffeine just the same. Actually, why not start our coffee bucket list today and tell the world just how much we love coffee? All we need is to define where to go first. What are those once-in-a-lifetime moments that every coffee lover must live? Well, we’ve gathered here the ones we believe you shouldn’t miss so buckle up and let’s go on an adventure!

6. Go back to where it all started and witness Ethiopia’s coffee ceremony

Considered to be our favorite drink’s birthplace, Ethiopia has enchanted the whole world with its beautiful and exotic coffee culture. History and spirituality fuse in this wonderful ceremony, that’s usually performed as a social activity for friends and visitors. It takes from 2 to 3 hours to finish, and it’s usually done by the women of the house. It involves a whole process of preparing raw coffee beans and brewing them into finished cups of coffee.

Ethiopian coffee ceremony has a strong connection with Islam. Each cup that results from this ritual is said to transform the spirit and be a blessing for those who drink it. With incense burning to ward off evil spirits and roasted coffee's aromas invading the atmosphere, this Ethiopian tradition is truly a sight to witness. Connect with the most powerful part of your spirit and take a trip through the amazing coffee culture from the place where it originated first.

5. Live the energy of Vienna’s famous coffee houses

UNESCO named them "World’s Intangible Heritage" in 2011, and it’s not hard to see why. Austrians are truly proud of their coffee culture. Ancient coffeehouses thrive on Vienna's streets, standing as little relics inside of which you can enjoy the best of the Austrian capital’s coffee. What makes them so special though? Their history, of course. You won’t find a stronger coffeehouse culture as you will in Vienna. They helped to shape Viennese’s social practices and rituals. They were also the scenario where many poets and artists found inspiration and wrote the best of their work.

Austrian writer, Stefan Zweig, described them like this: " ...actually a sort of democratic club, open to everyone for the price of a cheap cup of coffee, where every guest can sit for hours with this little offering, to talk, write, play cards, receive post, and above all consume an unlimited number of newspapers and journals." If your bohemian soul cries for a place where you can sit for hours, watching people pass by and thinking about life, what are you waiting for? Vienna’s coffeehouses are all you need and more!

4. Go to a World Latte Art Championship

If you believe nothing can compare to the sweet flavors of a cup of latte in the middle of the afternoon, then probably you’re also a fan of latte art. Attending to a World Latte Art Championship will be a heaven-like experience that you won’t forget anytime soon. Watch the best baristas and coffee lovers create beautiful works of art made of milk, cream, and espresso. This year’s competition was held in Budapest. Are you ready to pack your bags and follow these artists wherever they go next year?

3. Take a coffee bath on a Japanese spa

If you thought our previous coffee wishes were a little bit too extreme, how do you feel about actually bathing in coffee? It’s possible to do it in a Japanese spa called Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, located about an hour and a half from Tokyo. You can find among its services a possibility to bath in wine, tea, and other types of liquids. Their coffee bath is made of low heat Nel Drip style brewed coffee, and they assure it has “recharging, relaxing, skin beautifying effects.” But, oh well, now that we think about it, Japanese have a very curious coffee culture, with cat cafés in which you can pet felines while enjoying your cup of coffee. There’s something for every taste in the land of the rising sun.

2. Fall in love with true espresso shots on the streets of Rome

There are very few people as passionate about their coffee culture as Italians are about theirs. You can't blame them. They’re the creators of a beverage that has conquered the entire world: the espresso. That robust and contrasting shot that’s bound wake you up and improve your day right from the first sip. If you want to live an authentic Italian experience, don’t ask for anything that isn’t pure espresso outside of breakfast time, and don’t forget to take an Italian coffee tour. Antico Caffè Greco is a must, for example. Writers and composers like Goethe, Wagner, and Byron were regulars there. It has existed since 1760!

1. Feel the passion of coffee production in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle

We owe Colombia some of the best coffee in the whole world. Want to learn how it’s produced and processed? Then you definitely shouldn’t miss the chance of visiting the famous Colombia’s Coffee Triangle. Named a "World’s Heritage Site" by UNESCO, this territory is home to a huge part of Colombian coffee production. It covers a large mountainous region in the departments of Caldas, Quindio, and Risaralda. Because of its climate conditions, altitude, and soils, it’s a perfect landscape to harvest some of the most delicious coffee beans. It’s full of passionate people whose entire lives revolve around coffee. There are great hosts for tourists and many hostels and inns where you can enjoy a personal experience with coffee.

We bet that knowing Colombia’s Coffee Triangle could signify a fantastic experience for anyone who wants to live coffee as something more than just a beverage you drink to stop you from dozing off. Besides, this place is also the home of That Coffee Roasters’ founders and workers! We’ll always be proud of our origins!

Visit some of the coffee world's most iconic places! 

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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

Coffee Controversies: Breaking down the Black Beverage

There are many facts related to coffee out there. Find out the truth behind each sip you take! 

Coffee makes up for almost everyone’s day. No matter how tired you might feel, the answer comes as a cup of hot coffee to get you on for another try. But what about the people who claim coffee is not as good as it looks? Quite a few might argue that drinking this black beverage does nothing but wrong. Today, we’ll prove them otherwise.

Before getting to the subject, let’s state something; abusing of any type of drink or food can be harmful. Just by drinking 6 liters of water you can actually die (yes, even water). So if you’re fan of this drink, you might want to keep it under control as well.

Coffee controversies under the lens

Fame often gives birth to rumors, and coffee is not the exception. Most of the myths around coffee are driven by old beliefs. Sadly, they managed to stay to this very day. But fear not, we’ll review and dismantle these myths for good, right now.

Myth: Coffee creates addiction

A myth that’s far from being true. According to the World Health Organization, there is no evidence in coffee to be related to addiction criteria. Caffeine does cause some dependence in consumers, but never to the extent to causing addiction. Points to proven research!

Myth: I have insomnia because of coffee

While it is true that caffeine makes you more energetic, it only stays on your organism for about five to six hours. This means that if you’re not drinking coffee at late hours, your sleep won’t be affected in any sort of way.

Myth: Coffee acts the same way as alcohol does

It is completely the opposite: coffee actually counteracts alcohol’s effects. But it does not mean that alcohol will be out of your organism. Combining these two could end in disaster as you feel capable of doing things while being still sober. If you were to combine these two, do not overdo it.

Myth: Coffee tastes bitter, so it must be acidic

Coffee is not as acidic as it appears to be. The pH of a cup of black coffee is 5.0, which is lower than most beverages. You’ll find more pH in a glass of soda or beer. Perhaps it’s time to check on these drinks, instead.

There’s no denying it: coffee is a controversial drink. Some just drink it while others hate it. Both sides have their valid reasons. But what happens to those in the middle? By breaking these myths, those who were unsure now have a chance to try this drink and judge it by themselves.

When it’s about drinking coffee, things must look as clear as your coffee mug. Do you have any misconception about coffee you would like to see through? Ask us anytime; we’ll confirm your beliefs with facts! Thanks to That Coffee Roasters you’ll have the answers along with excellent coffee products. Check their website and reach for them!

Having a cup of coffee to start your day won't change your day, but the way you feel about it.

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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

More Coffee Words: From Acidity to Smokey

Expand your vocabulary about coffee with the following list of words.

When it's about drinking coffee, one cup seems as it is not enough. Same happens with knowledge: we love to discover and investigate things we are passionate about, that's the beauty behind curiosity. As the phrase says “the more, the merrier,” we bring you the second segment of coffee words to feed your cravings for coffee!

If you feel like having a good cup of coffee while reading, you can always contact That Coffee Roasters to get the best specialty products in the market. Now that we've offered you what you need, we can resume our task at hand: the widening of your knowledge in coffee along with the following words.

Acidity: One of the main indicators of coffee, usually attained to a strong beverage. Acidity, along with characteristics like body and flavor, defines what professional tasters can evaluate from a specific batch of coffee. Acidity is also referred to the pH present in the drink.

Aged coffee: Just like the name says, this is coffee that's left in warehouses, sometimes by mistake or deliberately. The effects of leaving coffee to “age” are in the reduction of acidity and an increase of body. Some coffee industries do a process that sorts of accelerates aging to obtain batches of this aged coffee.

Aquapulp: A procedure that removes the mucilage (fruit pulp of coffee) from coffee beans by scrubbing them in machines.

Batch: Term referred to quantities (from small to large) of coffee that undergo specific procedures.

Bird-friendly: Term referred to coffee grown under a shade canopy. Shade canopies are perfect supply habitats for Migrating songbirds in Central America, which earned this concept of growing coffee as “bird-friendly.”

Coffee blends: A term used when two or more single-origin coffees are mixed.

Kopi Luwak: Also known as civet coffee, refers to a different coffee that is partially digested and defecated by the Indonesian civet cat. This coffee is processed afterwards and its flavor lacks the acidity of the standard coffee.

In Parchment: Used to describe wet-processed coffee that is shipped with the parchment (dry) skin still adhering to the beans. Before the roasting process, the parchment is removed.

Machine drying: A drying method that is trying to replace sun drying and works with rotating drums or cascading silos. Machine drying can be either superior or inferior to sun drying, as it depends on drying temperature, maintenance of the equipment, weather conditions, and other factors.

Roast date: A print label that includes the roast date on bags of coffee. Generally, the ground rule is that coffee beans shouldn't be sold if they have more than a week after being roasted.

Seasonal coffee: Related to the different times of the year where coffee beans are ripening, in different regions. As the name suggests, they are often limited to certain seasons in the market.

Slow dripper: Devices imported from Japan that feature a glass sphere and tubes used to make coffee with cold water in a 12-hour period. This is a method attained to cold brews, so it shouldn't be confused with iced coffee.

Smokey: One of the characteristics of taste in coffee. After going for an espresso roast (dark roast), the beans are exposed to some smoke in the process. This is absorbed by the beans and when finally brewed it adds this smokey and burnt character to the drink.

After learning so many new words about the coffee world, doesn't it feel like you can go out and just share that knowledge? That's what we want to see in you; the driving energy to spread the coffee word.

There's no doubt you want a second round of a good coffee right now. So why not order some? Like we said, That Coffee Roasters should be your trusted choice. If you don't believe it, you can ask them for a free sample! Then you'll understand what we were talking about.

Now that you're filled with these words of wisdom, why not spread the word? Let others know and discover just how deep the world of coffee really is.

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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