Paper Filters vs. Metal Filters: Which Ones Should You Pick?

Find out which are the main differences between them.

In your everyday life, it may seem like it doesn’t matter which kind of filters you use when brewing coffee. All you truly want is to brew your coffee in the mornings so you can wake up and hopefully have a productive day. However, believe it or not, filters do make a difference worth noticing. Your daily coffee routine can change by simply asking yourself which kinds of filters you prefer. Of course, any of the options will only make sense if it has the right shape and size of your coffee maker.

Coffee beans are very susceptible to changes in the environment, so your coffee will react to whatever they’re put in contact with, including filters. But don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through. By the end of today’s article, you’ll learn the key differences that will help you understand whether it’s a better idea to use reusable or disposable filters.

Taste and body

The one thing that truly matters is whether a change in filters would alter coffee’s consistency and taste. It would, probably. Reusable metal filters, for example, are not as dense as paper filters. This means that they won’t catch as many substances as their counterparts. If you use metal filters, much of coffee's oils will also be poured into the final brew. These oils are full of flavor, but they also oxidize differently and easier, having a potential to make your coffee taste bolder and richer. With metal filters, beverages’ appearance will also be darker and more cloudy.

Which one is healthier?

As paper filters are better at filtering tiny particles, scientists believe they’re healthier. Paper filters can reduce cafestol's final amount on a coffee cup, which is a substance that can increase cholesterol's levels in your blood. Be careful with bleached paper filters though. Chemicals are used to bleach them can also be transported into your cup.

Having said this, we can conclude paper filters trap these substances better, which will make your regular cup has a brighter taste, both in appearance and flavor. Coffee brewed through a paper filter can often be described as sweeter and fruity, and it's generally more translucent than metal-filtered coffee. It will also have a lighter body, and your cup's fines will be considerably reduced.

What about clean-up?

Well, it’s fairly obvious that paper filters are easier to clean. All you have to do is throw them away, and that’s the end of it. Or you can rinse them and use them again, as some people do. With metal filters, however, you first have to remove them from the brewer, dump coffee's ground into the bin, and remove as many rubbish as you can from them, so it doesn't go down the drain.

But you’ll definitely be helping the environment if you use metal filters… as well as your wallet. Metal filters can cost between $5 and $60 but last up to seven years. On the other hand, paper filters cost between $0.01 and $0.10, which means that they can cost you up to $36,50 a year, depending on how much coffee you brew every day. Do the math, and you’ll realize that paper filters can end up being more expensive than metal ones. So if you want to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, metal filters are the way to go!

Will you be changing your coffee filters now? How do you typically enjoy your daily cup of joe? Tell us in the comments, and be sure to follow us on our social media to stay updated with all of That Coffee Roasters’ new content!

Do you know which one you prefer?

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

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Coffee Bloom: Smell the Science Behind it

As you pour hot water to your coffee grounds, you'll see how coffee blooms immediately.

In the complex world of coffee making, details like the way you serve it to the machines involved, give a different result in your cup. To master your skills and knowledge in coffee, we provide you a term that’s an essential part of brewing: coffee bloom. But what does that mean? Pour hot water over your coffee grounds, and you’ll see it yourself.

The bloom

To talk about coffee bloom, we must mention the coffee beans and the roasting process they follow. During the roasting of the beans, they absorb large amounts of CO2 inside. That compound stays until coffee is exposed to hot water, which is when the gas is released.

As you pour the hot water, you might notice some resistance in the grounds. This happens due to the gasses resisting against the water and making your coffee to expand. When adding the water you must be very careful not to pour excessive amounts of water, but minimal quantities in a circular way. Done properly, the CO2 will be released smoothly.

Is it necessary to bloom your coffee?

It’s actually mandatory. All the flavor is inside the beans, as well as the CO2, so it is necessary that both are released and absorbed by the water in order to obtain the results you want. Water must be in perfect balance, so when coffee blooms, the gas is released, and the beans absorb the water fully.

Unless you’re doing cold brews, it is necessary to bloom your grounds properly by measuring the hot water. With little water, you’ll get weaker results, whereas too much water will cause the flavor to dilute. Proportion is as important as blooming, for that matter.

This process isn’t that complicated to carry out, but it takes time to master. Extracting the flavor out of the grounds is essential, so it must be done with skill and proper measurements. Consider all these factors the next time you brew.

Did this article bloom your mind? Perhaps you must be brewing coffee right now and seeing it in a whole different way. That’s what this is all about, which is why That Coffee Roasters always worries about giving you only the best products so you can experiment and discover new things. Start your day with their coffee products, and you’ll see just how worth they are.

When hot water is poured, the coffee grounds release CO2 as the water permeates them.

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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

Fundamentals of Coffee: Facts You Didn’t Know about

Getting to know the fundamentals of coffee drinking provides a handful of information to those who enjoy more than just drinking it.

There’s a lot of complexity behind the making of a proper cup of coffee. Generally, pouring hot water into the coffee grounds you just bought does the job, but it turns out to be more than just that. Are you interested in getting a better taste at home or in your business? Then you should know the fundamentals of coffee first.

The quest of being a professional barista is long and arduous, but the results are worth the try. Don’t open that package of coffee just yet and read what it takes to hone your skills for a better cup of this black beverage.

Also check: What is your Ideal Type of Coffee?

Brewing principles

Brewing specialty coffee is exactly like preparing a gourmet dish; it takes time, effort and certain steps that result in an excellent cup. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when you’re brewing.

• Measurements: it’s all about proportions when brewing. Each time you’re about to pour water into the grounds, make sure you follow a proportion of 1:20 (1 part of coffee and 20 parts water) for a strong cup of coffee. You can go low for a 1:30 or high as 1:15, it’s all up to your taste.
• Temperature: this is one of the factors that can severely affect your brew. Whether you’re doing it yourself or using an automatic coffee maker, you must be aware that the ideal temperature for drip coffee is somewhere between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Water: water is as essential as the brew itself, after all, it represents 99% of the coffee. Hard unprocessed water that’s full of minerals will not blend with the chemicals in coffee, which leads to a weak brew. Lightly filtered water will do the job for both coffee maker machines and manual brews.

Coffee’s duration

Just like metals get damaged by water because of oxidation, coffee grounds suffer a great deal when exposed to air. Coffee can go stale real quick if exposed to air for long periods of time. You might want to consider protecting your coffee (grounds or beans) by buying airtight containers.

Plastic containers or Tupperware are a good option, but they’re not perfectly airtight compared to ceramic containers with rubber bands around the lid and container. Also, freezing the coffee in an attempt to protect it doesn’t work, as it will just kill the freshness of the coffee.

Added to that, is the fact that coffee grounds deteriorate faster than coffee beans. Depending on how much you consume or use, it would be wise to choose which option fits you better. If you’re really concerned about getting the best coffee, keep your beans whole until you’re about to grind them and then go for the brew.

Perhaps you knew most of these facts, but if these tips actually helped you and want to keep on improving your knowledge, stay with us to discover more.

Are you looking for the best coffee in terms of quality and flavor? It seems you have come to That Coffee Roasters’ place. With them, you’ll be getting custom-made packages for business or personal use, roasted or green and even decaf! Contact them to get a taste of the ultimate morning booster.

You'll find more value in your drink if you cherish the process that coffee follows.

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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

Mazagran: Portugal’s Way of Coffee

Mazagran is born due to the need of a cold beverage to resist the heat in Algeria during the 1840 war.

The hot flavor of freshly brewed coffee really motivates people to start their day in a positive mood. But as much as we’d like to admit it, not everyone loves the taste of hot coffee, and would rather have a cold drink instead. For those who’d rather have a cold beverage, we have a refreshing alternative called Mazagran, an iced coffee recipe.

Mazagran is a cold drink prepared with coffee (brewed hot and then iced), that is served in a tall glass filled with ice cubes. Generally, people add water to the mixture to dilute the taste of coffee in the beverage and get a softer taste.

The source of this drink is from the 1840’s war in Algiers, Algeria. When the French Foreign Legion occupied the Fortress of Mazagran, they faced extreme heat conditions that forced them to create a drink that could refresh them while keeping them awake. This is when they created the first “café Mazagran,” which became popular in France once they returned.

Mazagran is also known as “Portuguese iced coffee,” and its preparation consists of adding iced espresso to a glass with lemon and ice. This preparation also features the addition of rum to the beverage, and it’s generally sweetened with sugar syrup.

Recipe of Mazagran

Ingredients

• 1 cup of black coffee (hot brewed)
• ½ cup lemon juice
• White granulated sugar or sugar syrup
• Ice

Preparation

Make yourself a hot brewed espresso, and then wait for it to cool down for 5 minutes. Add the cup of espresso in a glass and then pour the lemon juice. Add sugar to your desired amount and the cubed ice. If you want a different touch to the recipe, you can add some vanilla extract or cinnamon powder on the recipe.

Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to make it, all you need to do is get the best beans and make yourself some Mazagran! With That Coffee Roasters, you’ll have specialty coffee products either for business or personal consumption. Contact them to refresh your palate with the best coffee!

The Portuguese version of Mazagran features the use of strong coffee and lemon in the preparation.

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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

Irish Coffee: Whiskey in the Cup? Sure Look It!

Irish like their coffee with whiskey and whipped cream. Ask for coffee the Irish way and enjoy its warmth.

There are too many ways to prepare and serve coffee. For example, there are people who enjoy adding wine to their coffee, while others go with the classical latte to start off their day. Yet there is a preparation that’s a little bit stronger and creamy among these; Irish coffee, of course.

Before getting into the characteristics of this unique coffee, let’s see how this beverage was born. Yes, this is one of the few cocktails that have a clear and undisputed origin, contrary to most coffee cocktails out there.

Joe Sheridan is attributed to the creation of this drink, a bartender and chef originally from Castlederg. He was asked to move back to Foynes and prepare hot food and drinks for passengers who were forced to return to Ireland due bad weather. It was just another cold day in 1943 when a flight to New York was forced to turn back.

The passengers needed a hot drink to withstand the climate, so Joe poured some Irish whiskey into their coffee. People started to ask him if he had used Brazilian coffee and he replied that it was “Irish coffee.” After seeing it was so well accepted, he topped the drink with cream; this is the moment Irish coffee was first invented.

Irish coffee: the breakdown

Irish coffee it’s not that popular in hot climates because of the warm sensation it leaves – caused by the whiskey –, which is why is not that famous in tropical regions. The combination of coffee and whiskey makes this coffee taste somewhat sugary, slightly bitter and with a fiery taste in the end.

This cocktail requires a good proportion of ingredients – too much whiskey will damage the coffee and less will feel off – in order to be properly done. To make your Irish coffee, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz jigger Irish Whiskey
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Heavy cream, slightly whipped
• 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee

Fill a mug with hot water to preheat it, then empty it. Pour the coffee into the warmed glass until it reached ¾ parts of it. Add the tablespoon of brown sugar and stir until it dissolves. Fill the missing part of the glass with whiskey and then top it with the whipped cream.

If you haven’t tried out Irish coffee, now is the time to gather the ingredients and make one yourself! The taste will warm you up inside. Also, remember to source the best beans to ensure a quality beverage, like the ones That Coffee Roasters can offer. Feeling unsure about buying? Try their free samples and taste a brew of their roasted coffee, you’ll definitely want more!

Each of the ingredients that make an Irish coffee need to be in specific measurements.

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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

Immersion vs. Dripping: Two Methods for Brewing Coffee

Grounded coffee has many different ways of being brewed, but each method will have its own characteristics concerning taste and strength.

One of the reasons coffee products have maintained an ongoing business is the many sources and preparations it has abroad. You can either enjoy a soft latte macchiato or go straight black with a strong espresso; there’s variety for all tastes. What makes them all so different, then? It all comes down to the way coffee is brewed; mechanically or with some simple tools.

For some, the magic happens when they prepare their coffee without any machine involved. Immersion and dripping are, if not the best, the most natural ways to brew this popular beverage. Immerse yourself into the making of coffee; we’ll break down both methods and see which fits you better.

Dripping

This is the classical method that most North Americans use to brew their grounded coffee. The tools needed for dripping are few: a paper filter, a pot for the coffee to sit and the grounds place on top of the filter. Drip brews are absolutely clean, and no grounds are sitting in the beverage.

This type of brew gives off a good quality brew without the need of lots of equipment. Nonetheless, manual dripping is not as good as electrical drip brewers; these offer a better taste in comparison. Overall, dripping is a favorable way of obtaining a nice brew in a short time.

Immersion

Generally referred as infusion, this method is a huge category of several styles to brew coffee. Infusion is the addition of coffee grounds into water to extract their flavor and characteristics. The texture and taste of coffee are more deep and thick, because of the grind of coffee (which is generally set to coarse) and the fact that the grounds sit in the water.

Many devices do the immersion process nicely – Clever, Aeropress, Café Solo or Syphon –, but the most preferred in houses is the French Press. This press is a classic device for immersion in coffee, and with the addition of dark roasts, you’ll be getting the best results than with any other brews.

Dripping vs. Immersion

The main difference between these two methods could be in the taste and characteristics of each: while dripping results in a more clear and soft beverage, immersion is more rough and thick.

Flavor is also different in each case. Dripping absorbs all characteristics of the coffee while being filtered down without the need to sit, whereas immersion absorbs more of the acidic taste of coffee grounds.

Also, it’s important to mention that, regarding efficiency, dripping turns out to be better overall. Why is it more convenient? The answer lies in the fact that dripping absorbs more of the grounds while passing to the cup, resulting in a higher concentration of the grounds compared to immersion.

So, does that mean that immersion is worse than dripping? Each method features its own set of characteristics, so it would be hard to say one is better or worse. But in terms of profitability, dripping wins with a small margin.

No matter which of the two you enjoy the most. In the end, it’s all about finding the best beans; they are the ones that will do the job and fill your morning cup. That Coffee Roasters is known for having not only the best sources of coffee worldwide but roasting the best beans of the market. Don’t think twice, contact them and have a cup!

You can put the same proportions of water and coffee through each method, and the results will vary.

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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 the Chemex Coffeemaker?

This pour-over glass-container was invented by Peter Schlumbohm in 1941.

There are so many instruments and products around the creation of a fine coffee that you wouldn’t believe the number of things required for the making of your usual black beverage. From the French Press to Immersion or dipping gadgets, all these have their purpose in the industry. Today, the Chemex coffeemaker will be the subject of discussion. Let’s see it through from its creation until today.

Its conception is dated from the year 1941 when Dr. Peter Schlumbohm developed the Chemex. This chemist was responsible for the invention of many other things, but it’s remembered the most because of his contribution to the coffee industry. Schlumbohm didn’t just want to ease the brewing process, but to make it look like a piece of art that would appeal those who used it.

He profoundly studied the chemistry behind the extraction of flavor and components from coffee beans. The shape of the Chemex was inspired by the Bauhaus school of design, allowing him to fashion the hourglass shape that is now so common and popular among baristas and coffee professionals.

It was in the early 2000s that Chemex came back to life. Most claim that Chemex came back due to the rising of mainstream coffee lovers and how coffee became a “hipster” thing to do. Old practices and instruments were brought back and idealized. Many cafés use it as a part of décor, but others prefer to brew in a more artisanal and handmade way.

Chemex brew follows the typical infusion method, much like dripping. As it is a slower brew, the results are richer and thicker in comparison to other pour over methods. What this coffee lacks in terms of speed, it makes it up for a worthy cup of coffee.

Of course, a good instrument for brewing is nothing if the beans aren’t the best ones. That Coffee Roasters know the tradition of producing coffee very well; they have what it takes to offer the best roasts in the market. Everything that has coffee in its name will surely be of excellence, so contact them and get a sample of perfection!

If followed the process step-by-step, the results of the brew will "bloom" your mind.

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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

Cold Brew Method

The cold brew is a whole different world. 

Are you truly into coffee? Try this way of brewing; you might as well fall in love with this cold method.

Cold brewing requires time to be processed and understood, at first. It’s a method that demands time and attention to the details to obtain good results. Those who haven’t heard of this method might be reluctant to try it. If you’re among them, keep on reading, and you’ll be convinced otherwise. Patience pays off in time, and there’s no better way to prove it than by waiting to taste a cup of cold brewed coffee.

Cold brew is widely known, and most professionals favor this preparation as much as the commonly heated brew. Immersion is the most common way of preparing it, and it involves the placement of coffee in a vat of water and then letting it steep for 12-24 hours. Yes, it’s quite a long time, but it’s truly worth the wait.

Coffee takes longer to be extracted because of the water temperature; this is why you must let the coffee sit, so all its components are properly absorbed. Now, how does cold coffee taste? The reason people love this brew is that it leaves a smooth, soft taste in your cup. This taste is unlike hot brews, which tend to be more acidic and strong in flavor.

As for the methods usually used to brew coffee cold, there are three that are commonly used by baristas and household lovers of the beverage: Toddy Cold Brew, Coffee Sock, and the classical French Press. All three will be briefly explained for you to tell the difference between each.

Toddy and Filtron cold brew system

These two methods are in the same category because they’re very similar in essence. Both feature the same procedure with some differences in pieces (Toddy has fewer than Filtron). The process goes around a bucket for brewing coffee with water on top of the container that stores it for the brewing. The coffee gets filtered, and the drink is collected from the decanter.

Coffee Sock

This is more of a recent method to home cold brewing, compared to Filtron and Toddy. It consists of an organic cotton “sock” and a mason jar. The filter gets filled with coffee and then is steep in the jar. This is the easiest method to cold brew. What’s great about this process is that the sock can be washed afterward, as it is made of organic cotton.

French Press cold brew

Originally, this method is used for hot brews instead of cold ones. But French Press became a popular alternative for cold brewing. It is designed to make it easier to strain out the grounds and add the cold brew into any container. This device comes as an opportunity for those who still do not possess one of the equipment mentioned above.

As you can see, cold brews are a completely different world of coffee. You can obtain a different perception of the coffee you taste by just doing it with cold water and a different method. Of course, there are people out there who still prefer their coffee hot to boost their day.

There’s a coffee for every individual out there. Whether you seek for a cold brew or you enjoy it hot, That Coffee Roasters can supply you with the finest array of coffee beans in the market. All you have to do is contact them and state which type (roast, source, caffeine-full or decaf) is your favorite, and you’ll have it!

Cold brews are less acidic than regular coffee, with a different flavor and a softer taste.

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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