Colombian Coffee Facts and Traditions

Learn more about our heritage.

There’s coffee, and then there’s Colombian coffee, which is worldwide known for its diversity and rich flavors. Some people claim that it’s the best coffee in the world and, honestly, it’d be hard to argue against it. If there’s a culture that takes coffee seriously, it’s Colombian. In the Latin American country, coffee is always the perfect excuse to meet with friends and talk. It’s there in the mornings and late afternoons and at least 89 percent of Colombian people consider it the national beverage.

Coffee is never absent in at least 8 of 10 Colombian homes, and it’s always present in 86 percent of the stores. Colombia perceives around $3.5 billion per year thanks to coffee revenue, and most of this is thanks to the thousands of coffee farmers around the country. The Colombian coffee you drink every day comes from one of the 66.387 hectares worth of coffee crops.

And that’s where most of the Colombian coffee magic resides. Every day, coffee farmers follow a long tradition of producing top-notch quality coffee. Colombian coffee cherries are manually harvested when they’ve reached ideal ripening levels, and they’re immediately cleaned from the paste to make sure it won’t impregnate beans. This way, Colombian coffee differentiates itself from others because of its handcrafted tradition and culture. Every farmer works to pick just the very best of their crops.

Manual harvest results in better quality beans, and it employs a vast part of the Colombian rural population. Around 95 percent of Colombian families that work with coffee have their own farms, which is why coffee production is seen as a family activity by Colombian people (and by us as well!). Everyone participates, and the coffee traditions pass from one generation to the next, allowing consistency in quality.

In addition, Colombia has been putting extra efforts in developing social responsibility programs to support coffee farmers and give them the tools they need to improve their production and learn new ways to grow better coffee. They’re also focused on developing environmentally friendly solutions to face climate change, which is already affecting coffee crops all over the country.

One thing’s certain: for Colombian people, coffee means family, well being and tradition. It’s part of our identity and part of our pride. Black coffee helps us feel close to those we love the most, as well as it gives us vitality and energy to go through our days. It’s the perfect host for home and work. Coffee with milk evokes feelings associated with coziness and safety. It brings back the memories of the best moments shared with our families, and it simply makes us happy! At That Coffee Roasters, we have a special place in our hearts for all Colombian coffee, and we continue to carry on the traditions of our lands to offer coffee’s best virtues and qualities to you!

What's your favorite thing about Colombian 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

Coffee Is Served by a Robot Barista at This Melbourne Coffee Shop

How much can a robot barista do?

Is your favorite barista an actual human being? Ugh, you’re so outdated. Non-human coffee shop workers are what’s in now, didn’t you get the fax? So pick your new one at your nearest café for only $9999,99 and name it something fun like... Francis. Seriously, jokes and saltiness aside, this is becoming a thing! There’s a robot barista serving coffee at a coffee shop in Melbourne, and it looks like a cool work of engineering. Let’s dig into it!

Once Alike  is the café and Rocky is the robot’s name that could potentially catapult Australia’s coffee culture into the future. It replicates a barista’s work in almost all accounts, grinding beans, tamping them, and pulling the espresso shots. Of course, you won’t get the human experience of actually talking to your barista… or getting your name written wrong, but it seems like you could enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee courtesy of Rocky.

In words of Liam Wilkie, one of the engineers behind the project, Rocky makes coffee as well as any barista. And the advantages? “When you’ve been in the industry so long, you realize the most important things are quality and consistency. People want their coffee the same every time they go back to a cafe that specializes in coffee. There are limitations to having a human behind the bar. We get stressed and emotional during busy periods. It’s not fun to make 1000 lattes on a Saturday – it’s really hard work,” he explains.

It makes sense. However, it’s only natural that baristas should also be worried that this becomes a threat to their jobs. They are still very superior in one thing though: Rocky takes roughly anywhere from 2 to 6 minutes to brew a cup of coffee, much slower than any experienced barista would take. Nevertheless, this is still an experimental project, so we can expect that robots in the future will be able to get every order right at a much more efficient amount of time.

Rocky is not the only one of his species

Previously, in January 2017, another robot barista also made the news at a coffee shop in San Francisco, called Café X. It was more like a robotic arm that operated an already-automated coffee maker, but it did mark the beginning of something that could potentially become a trend in the future.  

Are these things even sold commercially though? Well, this year they might. A company called Bubble Lab, based in China is working on a robot barista they showed at last year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. It’s also a robotic arm, and each one of them could cost $30,000 this 2018. Quite the investment, right? It still looks slow, so we’re not sure if it’s worth it for now.

But if we’ve learned something since the beginning of the 20th century, it’s that technology advances way faster than we realize. So it’d be no surprise to see a full-fledged, self-cleaning robot barista, which brews coffee as quickly and as efficiently as any human today, soon. Would you change the personalized factor of each cup of coffee for the robotic approach?

At That Coffee Roasters, we believe coffee is not only a beverage but also an experience that depends on the way each person sees and lives coffee. We’re not against technology but think about it as food and chefs. Every chef has their craft, their value. Baristas are the same, so we believe replacing them might not be as simple as it seems. What do you think? Let us know in the comments and keep joining us every Friday to talk more about innovations in the world of specialty coffee!

Could technology replace baristas?

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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

What Is Steeped Coffee and Is It Any Good?

Quick and easy.

The battle between coffee people and tea people has been going on for ages. Alright, it’s not so much like a battle, but we do tend to compare them, have our preferences and pick one over the other. It might be because how similar both beverages are and today we’re here to discuss yet another similarity: the brewing method they share. We’re talking about the traditional steeped coffee!

You’re probably used to brewing your cup of coffee every day in a drip coffee maker. Gone are the days when people prepared their morning cups of joe by boiling water in a pot and then pouring coffee in it, just like you would do with tea herbs. Now the closest thing would be doing it with a French press. But would there be any benefits in bringing this method back? And how should you do it to guarantee a great result?

Nordic coffee expert, Tim Wendelboe, says about this antique brewing method: “Steeped coffee produces a strikingly full-bodied coffee because you don’t filter off the coffee oils that add to its good mouthfeel and taste. Since the coffee is ground relatively coarse, the taste will be clean and clear.” Sounds like an experience worth trying, right? Here’s how to do it!

How is steeped coffee made?

The Nordic call it kokekaffe, and they claim simplicity is key in this brewing method. You won’t need more than a pot or a kettle. Grab 65 grams of coffee per liter of water (or more or less depending on your preferences). Then, simply follow these instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Once boiling, remove from heat.
3. Add the coffee to the water, stirring to ensure all the grounds are wet.
4. Cover the container and let the coffee steep for 5 minutes.
5. Remove the cover and gently push the coffee down, so that it starts sinking.
6. Wait for approximately one minute before slowly pouring all the coffee into cups or a different container.
7. Like with a French press, letting the coffee sit in contact with the grounds for too long will lead to over-extraction and an excessively bitter and unbalanced cup of coffee.

You can enhance the qualities and virtues of steeped coffee. Try brewing naturally rich and full-bodied coffees, especially those from countries like Colombia or Brazil. But don’t worry, any kind coffee will taste great with this brewing method. Almost like a ritual, steeped coffee allows you to connect with the entire process of coffee brewing. This can be a great exercise to relax the first hour in the morning and fill you with energy.

Coffee bags

How do you feel about taking coffee even a step closer to how we prepare tea nowadays? That’s what coffee bags are for! There are now companies that are trying to offer single-serve coffee bags that you can steep to produce a cup of joe as quick and simple as possible. But how do they keep it fresh for so long? Each bag comes in a nitro-sealed package that removes the oxygen and eliminates the use of glue and staples. This halts the coffee’s aging process, keeping it fresh for months instead of days. You can actually pre-order samples on a kickstarter page.

So are you willing to try it? If you have a thing for oily, thick coffees, then this might be your soulmate brewing method! You can find the best Colombian ground coffee on That Coffee Roasters’ online shop to try steeped coffee and keep exploring the world of specialty coffee. Discover a different way to enjoy your daily dose of caffeine!

It's similar to tea bags.

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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

What You Need to Start Doing Your Own Latte Art at Home

The harder you practice, the better you'll get.

Latte art is incredibly pretty and looks very good in pictures, it’s no wonder it quickly became a must on almost every person’s profiles and stories on Instagram. If you’ve ever seen how it’s done, you’d have noticed it’s a mesmerizing practice to watch. However, transforming your little cup of coffee into a canvas full of beautiful designs requires practice, precision, and hard work. Are you interested? Then keep reading to learn what you need to start improving your skills and make latte art at home!

You don’t need to be a professional barista at a fancy coffee shop to begin your own journey through the world of latte art. Actually, practicing at your place, serving cool coffee art for your friends and family might be an excellent way to start. You can do it in your free time and fail as many times as you need before mastering the process. You can also consider it a form of meditation since you need to stay focused and relaxed.

What is latte art made of?

So the first thing we need to learn is the essential elements you’ll need to create latte art. Of course, if you want your cup of coffee to taste just like it does in the cafés, then you’ll have to brew espresso. Besides, espresso works better for latte art because regular coffee is not strong enough to cut through the milk. Here are some ways in which you can have your own espresso without buying an expensive espresso machine.

The second thing you’ll need is microfoam steamed milk. This is the tricky part because ideally, you’d need to put your milk through a process called denaturing; this means adding steam to the milk and then rapidly heating it to change its composition, giving it some texture and making it sweeter. After that, baristas pour the steamed milk in a specific way, so the milk drains first and finishes with the foam, providing them with what they need to create the design in your coffee cup.

Making the foam

Making a good foam will be crucial for you to get your latte art just right. For this, many baristas use a milk steamer, but since we’re trying to do things as low-budget as possible, we’ll give you a different alternative. In this case, all you need is a small handheld milk frother, a small metal pitcher with a pointed spout, whole milk, and a ceramic coffee mug. The steps to make a heart shape latte art go as follow:

1. Heat your whole milk to between 140-160°F. If you’re using a microwave, put the milk in a microwaveable bowl or container, heating in 30-second increments until you reach the desired temperature. You could also heat the milk on the stovetop using a thermometer to check the temperature.
   
2. Transfer the milk to your metal pitcher.
   
3. Place your milk frother in your pitcher so that it’s almost touching the bottom of the pitcher.
   
4. Froth milk according to your model’s instructions and recommendations.
   
5. Once finished, tap your pitcher on the counter and swirl the milk gently to get rid of any big bubbles.
   
6. With your espresso in your ceramic mug of choice, begin pouring milk from your pitcher into your mug. Start by pouring high and tilting your coffee mug (at about a 45° angle) as you pour a very thin stream of milk into the center of your cup.
   
7. Once the cup is about 80% full, lower the pitcher to just above the surface. Use your wrist to move the pitcher back and forth, so the milk begins making ripples.
   
8. To finish, slowly tilt the pitcher back towards you, drawing the steam back through the center of your heart.

Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work out the first time. Creating coffee art is a complex process that demands a lot of patience and perseverance. Nevertheless, learning is a lot of fun! You can create your own designs or look for new tutorials on the Internet. And if you want to get inspired, check out this article on That Coffee Roasters’ blog to discover some of the best baristas and latte artists out there!

Source: Contigo.

What do you love the most about latte art?

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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

Coffee Industry Trends for 2018

Experts expect the coffee industry to keep growing.

As January hits us with its chilly weather, here at That Coffee Roasters, we are doing everything we can to keep our cups of coffee warm and cozy. Let temperatures drop and join us instead at exploring what this 2018 might bring for the coffee industry. What trends will we see? What changes are coming to the market? We might get some clues about it thanks to the coffee festivals that were celebrated last year.

We’re specifically speaking about World of Coffee 2017, which was celebrated in Budapest last year. At the coffee-specialty website The Perfect Daily Grind, they interviewed owners, roasters, manufacturers, competitors and coffee associations to find out more about where they believe our beloved drink is headed this 2018. Here’s what we can learn from what they had to say.

Coffee industry will keep on growing

Even though the last few years, we’ve seen how successful third wave coffee has become, experts were expecting the trend to slow down and the market’s growth to eventually flatten. However, that never happened. More and more consumers are getting into the world of specialty coffee and this allows the industry to keep on growing and specializing itself. Micro-roasteries, and cafes will continue to open in diverse places. Soon enough, Middle Eastern and Eastern Europe countries will be joining the wagon in full force.

Diversified coffee shop offerings

It seems like our beloved coffee shops’ menus will be expanding on this 2018. Some experts predict an increase in coffee shop diversification that will go beyond their regular desserts. Products like beer, wine and cheese are proving to be an interesting alternative to accompany our favorite coffee. This can result in the possibility of reaching new and wider audiences, which means a new opportunity for commercial growth.

New year, new preferences, new coffee

As coffee starts to reach new audiences, baristas will start getting more creative in what they offer. Cold brews, for example, are getting increasingly popular, especially among people who are not regular coffee drinkers. Since cold brew is sweeter in taste and allows a wide variety of recipes, it’s perfect for non-coffee-lovers demographics. Younger drinkers will be especially attracted by the new combinations we might taste this year.

We’ll probably be seeing a greater demand on sweet coffees over acidic ones. Sweet notes are the new trend and we’ll have to see if the industry is up to meet the market’s new demands.

Producers are getting the hang on alternative processing methods

Producing countries are expanding their array of processing methods like never before. Some of these include raised beds, honey processing, natural processing and lactic fermentation. Embracing diversity means that we might see a larger variety and options in the market. Buyers and consumers are asking for it, so farmers are providing it! However, many of these new processing trends are expensive and they might leave poorer farmers behind, as producers with resources will exploit them.

Brewers are focusing on water

Although technology is also taking center-stage with new and more precise machinery that expands options for baristas, coffee professionals are also inspecting the benefits and uses that water can add to the brew. Water components can have a very strong effect on our coffee’s taste, more than people would expect. Aspects like temperature and purity matter on all beverages. Water can affect performance, and the lifespan of coffee makers as well. It even seems that products like “third-wave water” are making their way into the community, so expect to hear more from it.

What would you like the coffee industry to put an eye on this 2018? What else would you like to see in your favorite cafés and roasters? Tell us all about it on our social media and stay updated to see where is coffee taking us for the next 12 months!

What do you want to see in the coffee industry?

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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