A coffee lover’s guide to brewing a perfect cup

Coffee seems like a simple drink, but there are many ways to prepare it. In this article, you will find out that a coffee machine is not the only way to make it.

Coffee comes from the plant called Coffea, which has over 130 species. The most popular one is Coffea arabica which is around 60-80% of all coffee production. It came from Ethiopia and a legend says that an Ethiopian monk saw that goats became more energetic by eating the beans. The monk then prepared a drink from the beans and felt energised for his evening prayers.

In the 15th century, coffee made its way to Yemen and became a popular beverage. In fact, the word “coffee” comes from the Arabic word “qahveh”. Coffee soon spread to other countries, such as Turkey, Egypt, etc. By the 17th century, European travellers had introduced coffee to Europe. Since coffee came from Islamic countries, many people were afraid to try it, as relations between Islam and Christianity were tense and some believed the drink was from the devil. The controversy around coffee was o intense in the Christian world that Pope Clement VIII had to intervene. When the Pope tried coffee, he said “Why, this Satan’s drink is so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it.” From that point on, coffee became a popular drink in Europe.

Grinding coffee is important, in fact, it is one of the most important factors affecting the taste of the coffee. It is as important as the temperature, the quality of the beans, and the roasting time. The way the coffee is ground influences the taste, and different brewing methods require different grind sizes. For example, for an espresso machine, the coffee should be finely ground, while for French press thickly. The finer the grind, the more bitter and tangy the coffee becomes; the coarser the grind, the more sour and less aromatic it tastes. The best grinder for coffee is a burr mill because it extracts more flavour and oils from the beans.

Drip coffee is one of the most popular alternative brewing methods. Essentially, it involves a conical vessel made of plastic, glass, or another material. A paper filter and coffee grounds are placed inside the vessel. When water is poured through the filter, the brewed coffee drips into another container. The grind size of the coffee should be similar to sand. The flavour of the coffee is usually clear, sweet, and slightly fruity, though this depends on the type of beans used.

Aeropress was invented to have quick and good quality coffee. The device is simple, it looks like a syringe, where a paper filter and coffee are placed inside. After adding water, the pomp is pressed down and the coffee is ready. This method allows for a variety of recipes, each requiring different temperatures. The brewing time inside the pomp also influences the taste. Interestingly, there is now a world championship for making coffee with Aeropress, where each participant presents their own recipe, and the judges select the best coffee.

Nitro Cold brew is one of the most original coffees that you can probably find on the market. It is made by mixing beans with cold water and leaving it for 8 to 12 hours. After brewing, the coffee is infused with nitrogen (a chemical element), similar to how Guinness beer is treated. The result is a sweet, creamy texture, similar to beer, but refreshing at the same time.

The French press was invented in France at the beginning of the 20th century. Although it originated in France, the device became most popular in the UK and Denmark. This is the simplest brewing method mentioned in this article. The machine is basically a cylinder with a press to take to the bottom the rest of the coffee powder. What is the recipe for French press? There are many, but you can find out by yourself what coffee you like the most. The taste is a bit rougher and less refined than drip coffee.

Dear reader, do not be afraid of trying specialty coffee! Coffee is a drink that can really surprise you. If you’ve never had specialty coffee before, the taste might be quite different from what you’re used to, and you may not like it at first. However, over time, as you develop a taste for coffee, you’ll come to appreciate the different brewing methods and flavours. You might even decide to buy one of these devices and you will make your own delicious coffee.

Jakub Pokuciński

Coffee drinker

Sources:

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawa