Immersing ourselves in the collaborative atmosphere, we didn't just attend; we dived into industry insights, mingled with global experts, and enjoyed the diversity of cultures.
As proud vendors in the Civic Center facilities, our coffee truck, affectionately named "Skully," became the heartbeat of our participation. Here, we didn't just serve coffee; we connected with other coffee business owners and, of course, coffee lovers.
But it wasn't just about the caffeine fix; it was about connections. The expo provided us with the unique opportunity to rub shoulders with influential personalities from both the country and our beloved local hub, South Florida.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee was not just a scent but a symbol of community, collaboration, and a shared passion for the perfect cup. Our participation in the Coffee Expo wasn't merely about showcasing our coffee; it was about becoming an integral part of a thriving coffee culture.
Thanks to the City of Miramar for inviting us. Until the next pour! ☕✨
]]>Hey, coffee enthusiasts and plant-based pals! We're thrilled to announce that Killer Coffee, your go-to for Mexican specialty coffee, will be rocking the java scene at the Miami Vegandale Festival on Saturday, December 2, at the picturesque Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. The event starts at 11am and ends at 8pm
As the proud purveyors of bold flavors and ethical sips, Killer Coffee joins over 100 vendors from across the nation at "North America's Fastest Growing Vegan Festival." Hosted by the visionary Hellenic Vincent De Paul, this festival invites everyone, vegan or not, to reimagine what a plant-powered lifestyle can look like.
Get ready to indulge your taste buds, Miami! At our Killer Coffee corner, we serve more than just your favorite Mexican specialty brews. Picture this – steaming cups of rich espresso, tantalizing Mexican coffee single origins, and a dash of plant-based goodness in every sip. But that's not all – we've got exclusive Killer Coffee merch to jazz up your style and bags of our specialty coffee to bring the Killer experience home with you.
Vegandale is not just about the food; it's a feast for the eyes and ears! Our Killer Coffee booth will be surrounded by vibrant art installations, providing the perfect backdrop for those Insta-worthy moments. DJ Khaled (!!!) and MC will keep the vibes alive, spinning tunes, hosting games, and showering you with giveaways throughout the day.
And that's not all – explore innovative food and lifestyle products, dive into exciting contests, and snag some killer clothing and merch. Don't forget to capture every delightful moment on camera and share the love on Instagram! Tag us at @killercoffeeco and use #Vegandale to join the caffeinated celebration.
This event is for everyone, from coffee connoisseurs to little ones exploring the vegan wonders. Children aged 12 and under get in for free! Grab your tickets early before they vanish to ensure you don't miss out on the fun.
Also, check last year recap here!
]]>From November 16-19, 2023, our coffee journey took an exhilarating swing as we set up shop at the dazzling CME Group Tour Championship, an LPGA tournament that brought together golf enthusiasts in the picturesque city of Naples, Florida.
Teaming up with Let's Chow, a non-profit championing veteran-owned businesses, we proudly rolled in with our aromatic offerings at the heart of the action.
We, as the only mobile coffee experts, were thrilled to add flavor to the tournament.Partnering with the powerhouse Venus Williams and her Happy Viking protein smoothies brand, we concocted something truly special.
Introducing the "proffee" – a delightful fusion of Venus Chocolate protein and our freshly roasted coffee – a sip of pure energy that had attendees buzzing with excitement.
And let's not forget our crowd-pleaser, the refreshing iced americano, quickly claiming its spot as the crowd's favorite refresher.
Set against the backdrop of the Tiburon Golf Club, boasting not one but two stunning courses, Gold and Black, designed by the legendary Greg Norman, the Open Championship winner.
The venue, nestled next to the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Naples, provided the perfect setting for our coffee escapade.
Our coffee truck became a hub of activity, drawing in golf enthusiasts and professionals from every corner of the globe.
We even had the pleasure of serving our brews to none other than Golfer Yiyi Liu, who took a swing by our truck.
Thanks to Let's Chow, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) trusted us with the title of the exclusive food truck for the entire championship – a testament to the quality and uniqueness we brought to the table, or should we say, to the truck.
Being part of the LPGA tournament wasn't just about serving coffee; it was about crafting an unforgettable experience.
We're thrilled to have left our mark at the 2023 CME Group Tour Championship, and we can't wait to share more sips of joy at future events. Until then, here's to brewing success on and off the course!
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We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new coffee truck, rolling now in South Florida!
This journey began at the start of the year, and it's been a labor of love to bring this dream to life, all thanks to our incredible partners at Let's Chow, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their culinary ventures.
With our coffee truck hitting the road, we're ready to bring the delicious taste of specialty coffee to more corners of South Florida, including:
But that's not all! We're excited to collaborate with our friends at local Farmer Markets, join in on special events, and serve up a variety of coffee delights, from rich espresso-based drinks to refreshing cold brew, a fantastic drip coffee, along with everything you need to accompany a good cup of coffee.
And don't worry, coffee lovers! You can still get your hands on our freshly roasted specialty Mexican coffee in convenient bags and our vibrant merchandise.
Stay tuned right here for updates on where to find us and upcoming events. We can't wait to share our passion for coffee now in more locations! ☕🌴
If you're anything like us, you understand that a cup of coffee isn't just a beverage; it's a moment of bliss that kickstarts your day.
Whether you're a fan of rich espressos, velvety lattes, or a classic black brew, one thing's for sure – the quality of your coffee begins right from the moment those beans are harvested.
So, let's embark on a journey to discover the secrets of storing coffee beans that will keep your morning ritual consistently divine.
Proper storage is key when it comes to preserving the quality of your coffee beans. Oxygen, moisture, light, and heat are the enemies of fresh coffee, causing it to lose its flavor and become stale.
To combat these issues, we will explore optimal storage containers, the best locations to store your beans, and how to extend their shelf life.
To understand the importance of coffee storage, it's essential to know how freshness affects the taste and quality of your brew.
Coffee beans are at their peak flavor within a few days of being roasted. During this time, they release carbon dioxide, making proper storage crucial to maintain their freshness.
Coffee degassing. Recommended time to rest after roasting.
Several factors can compromise the freshness of your coffee beans. Oxygen is the primary culprit, as it causes oxidation, which leads to staleness.
Moisture can also be detrimental, as it can cause mold growth and spoilage. Light and heat can accelerate the degradation process, causing the coffee beans to lose their complex flavors.
Understanding these factors will help you make informed decisions about coffee storage.
Choosing the correct container is crucial for preserving the freshness of your coffee beans.
Ideally, you want an airtight and opaque container that protects the beans from oxygen, light, and moisture.
Glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers with airtight seals are excellent options.
Maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels is essential for preserving the freshness of your coffee beans. Ideally, coffee beans should be stored at room temperature, around 70°F (21°C).
Avoid storing them in the refrigerator or freezer, as the fluctuating temperatures can cause condensation and compromise the flavor.
Additionally, exposure to excessive heat or humidity can lead to mold growth and spoilage.
Speaking of the great coffee freezing debate...some say it's a lifesaver, and others say it's a bean destroyer. Here's the lowdown: freezing can be your ally if done right.
Divide your beans into single servings before freezing in airtight bags. When you're ready to brew, let them thaw – unopened – at room temperature to prevent condensation.
But here's the secret handshake: only freeze your beans once. No second chances!
Just like real estate, the location of your coffee's abode matters. Avoid storing your coffee near the stove, microwave, or any heat source – they're the villains in this narrative, speeding up the aging process of your beans.
Keep your coffee in a cool, dark, and dry place, away from any strong odors like garlic, onions, and spices...that might sneak in and taint your coffee's character. Your beans deserve to be surrounded by good vibes only.
As we mentioned, light and air can have a detrimental effect on the freshness of your coffee beans. Direct sunlight and fluorescent lights can cause the beans to degrade rapidly.
Store your beans in an opaque container or a pantry away from exposure to protect your beans from light. Additionally, minimize the exposure to air by tightly sealing the container after each use.
While it's convenient to purchase pre-ground coffee, storing whole beans is preferable if you want to maximize freshness.
Whole beans have a smaller surface area exposed to oxygen, resulting in slower oxidation.
Ground coffee, on the other hand, has a larger surface area, making it more susceptible to losing its flavor quickly.
Invest in a good-quality grinder and grind the beans before brewing to experience the full flavor potential.
Coffee beans have a limited shelf life, and their freshness gradually diminishes.
On average, coffee beans can stay fresh for 2-4 weeks after being roasted.
However, this can vary depending on factors such as the roast level, bean quality, and storage conditions.
There are beans that, when properly stored, are really tasty even after three months of being roasted.
To ensure the best flavor, consuming the beans within a month of their roast date is recommended.
To maintain the freshness of your coffee beans, it's essential to avoid common storage mistakes.
One common mistake is storing coffee beans in the refrigerator or freezer, which can introduce moisture and cause condensation.
Another mistake is purchasing coffee in large quantities without considering the consumption rate, leading to stale beans.
Exposing the beans to heat and light can accelerate the degradation process.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can enjoy the full flavor potential of your coffee beans.
Buying coffee in bulk can be cost-effective and convenient, but storage methods require careful consideration.
When purchasing coffee in large quantities, divide it into smaller portions and store each portion separately.
Use airtight containers and ensure proper temperature and humidity control.
Additionally, label each container with the roast date to keep track of freshness. Following these tips, you can enjoy fresh coffee throughout your bulk purchase.
By understanding the factors that affect coffee freshness and employing the right storage methods, you can ensure that every cup you brew is a delightful experience.
Invest in quality storage containers, control temperature and humidity, avoid exposure to light and air, and consider purchasing and storing coffee in smaller quantities.
So, start storing your coffee beans correctly and enjoy the perfect cup every time.
By implementing these tips, you can elevate your coffee experience and savor the true essence of your favorite brew. Happy brewing!
The secret to a perfect cup of coffee lies in the grind type. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know which one to choose.
Fear not, because in this article, we will demystify the different coffee grind types and guide you on how to brew the perfect cup every time.
Whether you prefer a French press, espresso, or pour-over, understanding the right grind size is crucial for extracting the full flavor potential of your beans.
The grind size of your coffee beans plays a vital role in the extraction process and ultimately affects the taste and strength of your brew.
When you grind coffee beans, you expose a larger surface area, allowing water to extract the flavors and oils more efficiently.
However, different brewing methods require different grind sizes to achieve the desired outcome.
A finer grind will result in a stronger, more intense flavor, while a coarser grind will produce a milder, less concentrated brew.
Understanding the impact of grind size will empower you to control the taste and strength of your coffee, ensuring a consistently satisfying cup every time.
The size of the coffee grind is important because it determines the rate at which water flows through the coffee during brewing.
A finer grind will slow down the extraction process, while a coarser grind will speed it up.
Each coffee maker has an aspect that defines the final result of your cup of coffee, the filter.
There are multiple filter materials and each can affect the coffee extraction. Typically you will find filters are made from:
For example, for paper filters, the thickness of the paper and its porosity determine the amount of oil and sediment from the coffee that will seep through the filter and end up in your cup.
Metal coffee filters come with varying hole sizes, ranging from small to large. The size of the holes affects the body and flavor of your coffee.
A finer grind is necessary for smaller holes, resulting in a bolder flavor, while larger holes require a coarser grind, resulting in a lighter feel in your mouth.
Based on these factors that may not have been previously considered, we will use an analogy to clarify how they impact the taste of your coffee.
Imagine three glass jars:
If we were to pour water into all the jars and measure the time it takes for the water to reach the bottom, which jar would reach the bottom first?
Correct, this is not a complex concept. In a jar containing rocks, the water will reach the bottom first.
Now, imagine the same thing when you make a pour-over or a drip coffee; if you grind the coffee too coarse when the water hits the coffee, it will go through it so fast and through the filter in such a short time that the water-coffee contact will be minimum.
You will have a watered down coffee as a result.
Now, for baristas or coffee enthusiasts, it is common knowledge that a pour-over typically takes around 3-4 minutes to prepare.
If the water is poured too quickly and the process is completed in 1-2 minutes, this indicates a sub-extraction.
In such cases, the coffee's minimum attributes may not have been fully extracted, resulting in a less flavorful cup.
No worries if you're not a professional barista! We want you to enjoy your coffee to the fullest with the equipment you have at home.
To ensure the best results, it's essential to choose the right grind for your machine.
We've got you covered with a helpful table below to guide you.
Before we delve into the various grind types, let's explore the different types of coffee grinders available. There are two main types: blade grinders and burr grinders.
Blade grinders, as the name suggests, use spinning blades to grind the coffee beans.
They are typically more affordable but may result in an inconsistent grind size due to the uneven chopping motion of the blades.
This inconsistency can negatively impact the flavor and extraction of your coffee.
On the other hand, burr grinders offer a more precise and consistent grind size. They operate by crushing the beans between two burrs, resulting in a more uniform grind.
Burr grinders are available in both manual and electric options, with the latter offering additional features such as adjustable grind settings.
Investing in a quality burr grinder will significantly improve the consistency and control over your grind size, leading to a better brewing experience and superior coffee flavor.
There are conical and flat burr grinders, we recommend the latter.
The coarse grind is characterized by large, chunky particles that resemble sea salt or breadcrumbs.
This grind size is ideal for brewing methods such as French press and cold brew, where a longer steeping time is required.
The French press method involves immersing the coffee grounds in water for several minutes before pressing down a plunger to separate the liquid from the grounds.
The coarse grind allows for a slow extraction process, resulting in a full-bodied and rich cup of coffee with some sediment.
Cold brew, on the other hand, involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, usually overnight.
The coarse grind allows for a slow extraction, resulting in a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk.
Grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency, resembling coarse kosher salt. And Enjoy your rich and flavorful cup of coffee.
The medium grind falls between the coarse and fine grind sizes, resembling granulated sugar or sand.
This grind is well-suited for drip coffee makers and pour-over methods, where a balanced extraction is desired.
Drip coffee makers are one of the most common brewing methods, found in households and offices worldwide.
These machines rely on gravity to drip hot water over a bed of coffee grounds, extracting flavors as the water passes through.
Grind your coffee beans to a medium consistency, similar to sand. Add the grounds to the filter basket of your drip coffee maker and pour the desired amount of water into the reservoir.
Start the brewing process and allow the machine to work its magic. The result will be a well-balanced cup of coffee with a medium body and flavor.
Pour-over brewing, on the other hand, involves manually pouring hot water over coffee grounds placed in a filter.
This method allows for precise control over brewing, resulting in a clean and flavorful cup of coffee.
Start by measuring your coffee and water ratios to brew the perfect pour-over coffee. A good starting point is a ratio of 1:16, where one part coffee is brewed with 16 parts water. Adjust the ratio according to your taste preferences.
Grind your coffee beans to a medium consistency, resembling granulated sugar. Allow the coffee to drip into your cup, maintaining the water level and avoiding overflow.
The result will be a clean, flavorful, and aromatic cup of coffee.
The fine grind is characterized by small, powdery particles that resemble table salt or powdered sugar.
This grind size is essential for brewing espresso, which requires a high-pressure extraction method.
Espresso machines force hot water through tightly packed coffee grounds, producing a concentrated shot of coffee with a silky crema on top.
To achieve optimal flavors and extraction, a fine grind is necessary to slow down the water flow and increase the contact time between the water and coffee.
To brew the perfect espresso shot, check our espresso calibration guide. The result will be a small, concentrated shot of intense coffee with a layer of crema on top.
Turkish coffee is a traditional brewing method that originated in the Middle East and is known for its strong flavor and unique preparation.
This method requires an extra fine grind to achieve the desired results.
Turkish coffee involves boiling finely ground coffee beans in a special pot called a cezve.
The coffee is typically served unfiltered, allowing the grounds to settle at the bottom of the cup.
Grind your coffee beans to an extra fine consistency, resembling powdered sugar or flour.
Turkish coffee is typically enjoyed with a glass of water and a sweet treat to balance its strong flavor.
Grinding coffee beans at home is an excellent way to ensure freshness and control over your grind size. Here are some tips to help you achieve the best results:
By following these tips and practicing your grinding technique, you'll be able to enjoy the freshest and most flavorful cup of coffee every time.
Choosing the right grind type is an essential step towards brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
Understanding which grind size works best for your preferred brewing method is crucial for extracting the full flavor potential of your beans.
Investing in a quality burr grinder will provide you with precise control over your grind size, leading to a more consistent and enjoyable brewing experience.
Remember to adjust the grind size according to your taste preferences and experiment with different ratios to find your perfect cup of coffee.
So, the next time you reach for your coffee beans, take a moment to consider the grind size and let it guide you towards unlocking a rich, aromatic cup of perfection.
From tlayudas to mole negro, Oaxacan cuisine is a feast for the senses and a true reflection of the region's history and culture.
If you're a foodie looking to explore the culinary delights of Mexico, then Oaxaca should be at the top of your list.
Oaxaca has a long and rich culinary history that dates back to pre-Hispanic times.
For centuries, the indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec people of Oaxaca have been cooking with local ingredients such as corn, beans, chiles, and chocolate.
When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they brought new ingredients, such as pork, beef, and cheese, which were incorporated into traditional dishes in unique ways.
One of the most famous dishes to come out of Oaxaca is mole negro, a complex sauce made with more than 20 ingredients, including chiles, nuts, seeds, and chocolate.
The legend says that the dish was created by nuns in the Convent of Santa Rosa in the 16th century.
Today, mole negro is considered the national dish of Mexico and is a staple of Oaxacan cuisine!
Another iconic Oaxacan dish is tlayudas, which is sometimes referred to as the "Oaxacan pizza." Tlayudas are large, crispy tortillas topped with refried beans, cheese, meat, vegetables, and salsa.
They are often cooked on a comal, a flat griddle, and served open-faced. Tlayudas are a popular street food in Oaxaca and can be found all over the city.
Oaxacan cuisine is known for using local ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Some of the key ingredients in Oaxacan cuisine include:
Corn is a staple of Oaxacan cuisine and is used in many dishes, including tlayudas, memelas (thick tortillas topped with beans and cheese), and tamales.
Oaxaca is home to various chiles, including the smoky and mild pasilla de Oaxaca, the spicy and fruity chile de agua, and the fiery and aromatic chile costeño.
Chiles are used in everything from salsas to moles to tamales.
Chocolate has been a part of Oaxacan cuisine since pre-Hispanic times. Oaxaca is known for its high-quality chocolate, made from roasted cacao beans that are ground with sugar and other ingredients to create a rich and flavorful paste.
Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from the agave plant. Oaxaca is the heart of the mezcal industry in Mexico and produces some of the finest mezcals in the world.
Oaxaca has the most significant number of coffee-growing municipalities, such as Miahuatlan, Loxicha, Ayutla, Juquila, Mixe, Papaloapan, Bule, Valle Nacional, among others.
Producer of the famous "Café Pluma" of excellent quality and international recognition since it has a denomination of origin and quality standard.
In Oaxaca, we can find complex coffee notes like spices, floral and fruity fragrances, sweet aromas like maple, piloncillo, and cinnamon, and light-bodied and robust notes of chocolate.
The aftertaste is complex and of medium duration.
All these ingredients, beans, tomatoes, and avocados, form the foundation of Oaxacan cuisine and give it its unique flavor profile.
No trip to Oaxaca is complete without trying some of the region's iconic dishes. Here are a few traditional Oaxacan dishes that you won't want to miss:
This rich and complex sauce is made with more than 20 ingredients and is often served over chicken or pork.
These large, crispy tortillas are topped with refried beans, cheese, meat, vegetables, and salsa.
Oaxacan tamales are made with a masa (corn dough) mixed with lard or oil and steamed in a corn husk. They can be filled with various ingredients, including chicken, pork, or beans.
Oaxacan enchiladas are filled with cheese and topped with a rich and spicy chili sauce.
These thick tortillas are topped with beans, cheese, and salsa and can be served as a snack or a light meal.
These are just a few of the many delicious dishes that you can try in Oaxaca. Be sure also to sample some of the region's street food and market fare, which we'll explore in the next section.
While Oaxacan cuisine is known for its use of local ingredients and traditional cooking methods, there are also regional variations in the dishes and flavors throughout the state.
For example, in the Central Valleys region around Oaxaca City, you'll find many dishes based on corn, beans, and cheese. In the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region, located on the Pacific coast, you'll find more seafood and tropical fruits in the cuisine.
One of the most interesting regional variations in Oaxacan cuisine is the use of chapulines, or grasshoppers.
Chapulines are a popular snack in Oaxaca and are often seasoned with chili powder and lime juice.
While they might seem unusual to many visitors, they are a nutritious and sustainable source of protein and have been a part of Oaxacan cuisine for centuries.
One of the best ways to experience the flavors of Oaxaca is by exploring the city's street food and markets.
Oaxaca is home to several bustling markets in the city's heart, including the Mercado Benito Juarez. It features various food stalls selling everything from fresh fruit to tlayudas to chapulines.
Another popular market is the Mercado 20 de Noviembre, located in the historic center of Oaxaca City. This market is known for its grilled meats and is a great place to try traditional Oaxacan dishes like tasajo (thinly sliced beef), chorizo (spicy sausage), and cecina (salted and dried beef).
If you're looking for street food, try local specialties like tlayudas, memelas, and quesadillas. You'll find street vendors selling these dishes all over the city, and they are a great way to sample the flavors of Oaxaca on the go.
In addition to its delicious food, Oaxaca is also known for its unique and flavorful beverages. Here are a few Oaxacan beverages that you won't want to miss:
As mentioned earlier, Oaxaca is the heart of the mezcal industry in Mexico and produces some of the finest mezcals in the world. Mezcal can be enjoyed straight or in a variety of cocktails.
This traditional Oaxacan beverage is made from corn, cacao, mamey seeds, and the fragrant flower of the flor de cacao tree. It has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor and is often served cold.
Oaxacan horchata is made from rice and flavored with cinnamon and sugar. It is a refreshing and sweet drink that is perfect for hot days. As good Mexican coffee lovers we have the "Horchate Cafe" version everywhere in Mexico, which is a mix of espresso shots with this iced horchata drink, delicious!
Oaxaca is known for its high-quality chocolate, which can be enjoyed in various forms, including hot chocolate, cold chocolate milk, and chocolate bars.
Oaxaca is a coffee-growing region with an excellent offer for those researching specialty coffee beans. La Sierra mixteca is one of our favorite areas to get coffee from due to its consistency in flavors and intense aromas.
Oaxaca is a food and coffee lover's paradise with a rich culinary history, unique ingredients, and a vibrant food scene.
Whether you're exploring the markets and street food stalls, dining at one of the city's top restaurants, or taking a cooking class to learn how to make mole negro yourself, there are endless opportunities to indulge in the flavors of Oaxaca.
We hope this guide has inspired you to add Oaxaca to your travel bucket list and explore all this region offers.
From tlayudas to mezcal and Coffee, Oaxacan cuisine will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
Photo credit: Oaxaca Travel
When we discuss the bitterness of coffee, we are referring to a characteristic inherent to coffee itself.
This bitterness can vary depending on factors such as the degree of roasting and how it is prepared. Here, we will explain methods for effectively dealing with the bitterness in your coffee. Go directly to the tips.
Many people think that good coffee has to be bitter and low in acid. If you have learned more about good coffee, you know that the reality is just the opposite.
A good coffee has to have acidity and sweetness, giving it life. Otherwise, it would be very flat.
But bitterness isn't always a bad thing; if your coffee doesn't have any bitterness, it won't be balanced; a small amount of bitterness will ensure complexity and complement other flavors without being overpowering.
There is no doubt that drinks that are too bitter are bad, so here is a little more information about the bitterness of food and drinks:
The sensory cells on our tongues contain proteins, and about 35 of them react with compounds in food to create the experience of bitterness.
These are called phenolic compounds, and some of the most frequent are chlorogenic acids; they represent up to 8% of the dry mass of the green beans of the arabica species and greatly influence the sensory elements of coffee.
Although the bitterness comes from chlorogenic acids, caffeine also plays an essential role in it (it is not surprising that the robusta, having more caffeine, is always more bitter than the arabicas, they have up to 10% chlorogenic acids).
In order not to get too technical, we will only mention other factors that also influence bitterness: bean variety, degree of ripeness, agricultural practices, and, of course, roasting.
What happens in roasting is that the chlorogenic acids break down chlorogenic acid lactones into something called phenylindanes.
Light and medium roasts have more acid lactones, and darker roasts have more phenylindanes giving a bitter and harsh sensation.
So light to medium roast coffees are more likely to taste less bitter and still contain the classic coffee aromas and flavors we know and love.
Many coffees are roasted too much to cover the defects in the bean and homogenize the typical "roasted" flavor; here, flavors such as burnt rubber, carbon, and ash may have a super bitter aftertaste.
For this reason, many people who are sensitive to flavor do not like coffee🥲
The Brew method, grind size, and brew time are generally the variables you should change. There are a couple of things you can do to get a less bitter coffee cup:
Note: You don't have to try the four options simultaneously; we strongly recommend trying one at a time and seeing which works better!
These tips apply to any drip and immersion method (french press, cold brew, or Aeropress); if you are working with espresso, check this post on improving your espresso flavor.
In conclusion, when we delve into coffee bitterness, a truly exceptional cup of coffee requires a balance of acidity, sweetness, and, yes, even a touch of bitterness.
This bitterness adds complexity and enhances the flavor profile without overpowering other delicate notes.
So, embrace the subtle bitterness in your coffee, as it plays a vital role in achieving a well-rounded and satisfying brew.
Let's dive into the wonderful world of coffee and tackle the eternal debate: instant coffee vs. brewed coffee.
When it comes to choosing your perfect cup of joe, there are a few things to keep in mind. We explored the delightful flavors, convenience, costs, and health benefits associated with each option.
By the end, you'll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to make the best decision for your coffee-loving soul. Let's brew some magic!✨
Instant coffee is a type of coffee that is made from dried and powdered coffee beans.
It is typically made by brewing coffee in large batches, then dehydrating the brewed coffee to create a concentrated powder.
To make a cup of instant coffee, you simply add hot water to the powder and stir. Instant coffee is known for its convenience and quick preparation time, but some coffee lovers argue that it lacks the depth and complexity of flavor that brewed coffee offers.
Brewed coffee is made by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans and allowing the mixture to steep for a few minutes.
The water extracts the flavor and aroma from the coffee beans, resulting in a rich and flavorful cup of coffee.
Brewed coffee can be made using a variety of methods, including drip coffee makers, French presses, espresso machines, pour-over methods and other.
The key factor here is that after brewing your coffee, it's essential to separate the grounds from the infusion. This is because natural coffee doesn't fully dissolve in water.
Many coffee enthusiasts prefer brewed coffee for its incomparable flavor and aroma, as well as the ability to customize the brewing process to their personal preferences.
Instant coffee, is made by freeze-drying or spray-drying brewed coffee. The resulting powder can be quickly dissolved in hot water to create a cup of coffee.
One of the main advantages of instant coffee is its convenience - it can be made quickly and easily without the need for any special equipment.
The downside is instant coffee tastes can lack aroma and fresh flavor notes compared to brewed coffee.
⚠️Here's an interesting fact: have you ever wondered why instant coffee comes at a much lower price compared to whole beans or ground coffee? Well, the reason lies in its main ingredient - low-quality coffee.
That's right. The affordability of instant coffee can often be attributed to the use of lower-grade beans. It's worth mentioning the situation with big brands -It's a complex issue, and the reality is that these farmers receive only meager compensation for their efforts.
It's a topic that deserves attention and consideration as we navigate the coffee industry.
Additionally, instant coffee may contain additives and preservatives that some people prefer to avoid.
So, if you're looking for that top-notch flavor and quality, opting for whole beans or ground coffee might be the way to go. Your taste buds deserve the best.
Brewed coffee is made by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans and allowing the mixture to steep before filtering out the grounds. One of the main advantages of brewed coffee is its rich, complex flavor profile.
Although brewing coffee can be time-consuming (but no more than 5 minutes! unless you are preparing coffee for your soccer team) and requires special equipment such as a coffee maker or French press.
Additionally, brewing coffee at home allows for greater control over the strength and flavor of the coffee.
When it comes to health benefits, quality and taste, brewed coffee have an edge over instant coffee.
Brewed coffee contains higher levels of antioxidants and may have a lower risk of causing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
However, instant coffee can still provide some health benefits and is a convenient option for those on-the-go.
Ultimately, the choice between instant and brewed coffee comes down to personal preference and lifestyle factors.
And now we are curious, what about you? Are you a frequent consumer of instant coffee? Let us know!
Can you imagine what it would be like to get up in the morning, go to the kitchen, and notice a fragrance of berries when you grind coffee?
Or taste brown sugar when you first sip your freshly brewed coffee?
Maybe it sounds a bit crazy, but these notes are natural when you buy good coffee; it makes you smile when you taste it.
Here we suggest a very simple method, similar to the one we use to cup coffee, called Brazilian Coffee cupping, to try coffee at home and discover these flavors that you see in specialty coffee tags.
Heads up! We are saying that you will try real coffee, not instant coffee or coffee already ground from the supermarket (sometimes we don't know how long it has been on the shelf).
And that's it.
We recommend grinding your coffee in a medium grind, like regular sugar, just like you use it for your drip coffee maker.
We use a recipe of 10 grams of coffee and 150ml of hot water at 90C/194F, simple as that.
Usually, you will find sweet notes; the easiest to detect are brown sugar, caramel, chocolate, and fruit, sweet flavors.
⚠️If you detect flavors of grass, hay, wood, potato, rubber, carbon, ash, and even mold, the coffee is of low quality or has roast defects, whether raw or burnt.
This exercise helps us to identify the different stages our coffee goes through with temperature changes and, surprisingly, if you find different flavors as it cools.
*As you will notice, the coffee will not be filtered at any time; it stays in the cup with the water, which will taste the different stages of the coffee over time.
It is generally defined as the density of the coffee in your mouth, in other words, how heavy it is; for example, think about the sensation when you drink hot chocolate = heavy or green tea = light. It's often called mouthfeel.
A good coffee has to have sweetness and acidity, which you feel on the sides of your tongue and makes you salivate. Acidity is one of the most precious attributes of specialty coffees because a plain coffee with no acidity is considered "boring" or not complex at all.
On the other hand, think about the tartness of a blueberry or lemon. By the way, acidity in coffee has nothing to do with heartburn.
We will learn more about the body and acidity in another post.
This method is a VERY SIMPLIFIED way of tasting your specialty coffees, which is a similar but more detailed method of tasting coffees after roasting and evaluating their quality.
In summary, this exercise we propose does not mean that if you prepare your regular coffee, you will not taste the notes of the coffee.
However, it will help you to train your palate and make you more sensitive to discovering a new range of flavours!
Due to their organoleptic properties, such as aroma, flavor, and body notes, they give us many possibilities to experiment with flavors. Here we share how to enjoy your coffee better!
Bread, pastries, cheese, desserts, and breakfast seem to be classics and are excellent starting points for specialty coffees.
Here is the list of flavors that pair well with coffee:
The reason why sweet foods and pastries are the most common is due to their chemical structure. In bakery and coffee roasting, the Maillard reaction occurs, in which amino acids and sugar react. Also, there is a relationship with the aromatic compounds released.
Chocolate and coffee have a lot in common, from their smooth, palatable nature to the complexity they can have in flavor. (Whether it's 80% cocoa chocolate from Nicaragua or 60% cocoa milk chocolate from Ecuador, a fruity Coffee from Guatemala, or a high-acid one from Kenya, you know you'll savor the impact of origin, processing, roasting, and more. )
We recommend some of our favorite chocolate products:
For these combinations, you can put the coffee into four categories: coffees with nutty notes (think coffees from Colombia and other South American origins), coffees with fruity and earthy notes (coffees from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, and more). , and last but not least, the espresso.
While milk chocolate can work well with black coffee, if you pair it with an espresso, drink it all at once, then taste the chocolate. If not, the espresso could overwhelm the flavors of the chocolate.
Butter is one of the main ingredients in a bakery, and it provides that sensation of softness on the palate and a delicious flavor that goes perfectly with almost all flavors in the kitchen. Our favorite products for this pairing are:
The custard in the viennoiserie can neutralize the acidity of any coffee, be it a wash or a high-acidity coffee. Hence, it's excellent to sip the coffee and bite it into your dessert to complement that sensation.
Likewise, fruit tarts for washed coffees are great:
Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are some of the classic flavors in the coffee notes, so accompanying it with an almond cream pastry makes the combination of butter and this nut excellent on the palate without being overwhelming.
Cinnamon is a spice that goes very well with baked goods, and the range of coffee flavors and these desserts contain it as a main ingredient, making for a balanced and delicious experience on the palate.
For washed coffees, if you pair them with fruit = they will add sweetness
Natural coffees = will provide more acidity
Washed coffees are probably best with simple pastries, like croissants or cinnamon rolls,” he says. Meanwhile, natural coffees are more enjoyable with heavier stuff, chocolate, fudge, or cream pies.
When pairing, there are two options. Paired with notes that go well together or opposite each other, creating a surprising new flavor.
We recommend you look at how coffee is usually paired in other countries; for example, in Colombia, the traditional pairings are buñuelo (fried cheese balls), pandebono (cheese bread), almojábanas (fried cheese and corn dough), and guava cake.
In Mexico, we love to drink coffee with sweet bread, which can be:
We know you can accompany coffee with any food, but if you ask the coffee tasters, these would be some recommendations for where to start!
To learn more about the specialty coffee world, you should know that each coffee-producing country has an annual contest to reward the best coffee harvested.
This is an invitation to all the producers in the country to send a sample of their best lots to be evaluated by professional coffee tasters called Q graders and thus choose a winner.
The name of this competition is “The Cup of Excellence,” the most prestigious competition in the specialty coffee sector.
The Alliance for coffee excellence invites coffee farmers to participate with each country's specialty coffee associations.
The prestige of participating in this competition has a significant impact on the worldwide promotion of the best specialty coffees.
There is also a call to select the group of roasters and tasters to evaluate the coffee samples.
International judges are also invited to make the competition fairer, meaning the best roasters and Q graders choose the winners.
We must remember that countries with the appropriate climatic conditions to produce coffee are generally between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, popularly called "The Coffee Belt."
This list includes only producing countries of the Americas, sorted from highest to lowest score.
1st place
Mexico | 93 points
Cruz Jose Arguello Enriquez
Finca Santa Cruz, La Concordia Chiapas
Natural, Geisha Variety
2nd place
El Salvador | 91.82 points
Choucri, S.A. de C.V.
El Conacaste, Alotepec Metapan
Natural, Gesha Variety
3rd place
Guatemala | 91.75 points
Jose Roberto Monterroso Pineda
El morito, Jalapa
Washed, Gesha Variety
4th place
Brazil | 91.41 points
Antonio Rigno de Oliveira Filho
Fazenda Tijuco, Chapada Diamantina
Natural, Catuai 144 Variety
5th place
Honduras | 91.25 points
Benjamin Paz Muñoz
La Salsa, Las Vegas
Washed, Gesha Variety
6th place
Costa Rica | 91.08 points
Luis Ricardo Calderon Madrigal
Don Cayito, Los Santos
Honey, Gesha Variety
7th place
Nicaragua ] 90.76 points
Mario Jose Gonzalez Rodriguez
El Avion, Nueva Segovia
Natural, Catuai Rojo Variety
8th place
Colombia | 90.65 points
Carlos Alberto Belalcazar
La Bohemia, Nariño region
Washed, Gesha Variety
9th place
Peru | 90.39 points
Blanca Flor Cordova Jimenez
La Bola, Cajamarca region
Washed, Gesha Variety
10th place
Ecuador | 90.28 points
Familia Merino
Hacienda Lugmapata, Chimborazo region
Washed, Sydra Variety
Cup of Excellence (CoE):
The winning lots are the top 30 coffees that scored above 87 by the CoE International Jury.
These coffees have each been cupped a minimum of five times during the cupping process.
National Winners:
The National Winner lots are coffees scoring 85+ points during the International Phase by the CoE National and International Jury.
Presidential Coffee:
The coffee with a score of 90 or more points.
Feminine Coffee:
The highest-scoring coffee produced by a female producer.
Biodiversity Friendly Award:
The coffee with the highest score has current organic certification.
As you can imagine, some of these winning coffees are used by individuals to compete in other international contests such as:
So now you know, if you go to a specialty coffee shop offering some of these winning coffees on their menu, don't hesitate to try something extraordinary that will surely surprise your palate.
And for sure, these are some of the best coffees to buy!
Currently, 12 producing states are recognized in Mexico, which in order of production volume, are:
Altitude.
About 70% of Mexican coffee is grown at 1,300-2,950 ft (400-900m).
Temperature.
All the coffee-growing regions generally have an average temperature of 17.5 to 25.3 C, (63.5- 77.5 F), similar to the optimum 18 to 22 C.
Chiapas
Chiapas coffees are famous for their complexity and flavor, being the state with the highest production in Mexico, offering a mix of almost all varieties of Arabica, and characterized by having sustainable production systems (fair trade, organic, and under shade).
In Chiapas coffee, we can find spices, floral fragrances, nuances of pepper and piloncillo (cane sugar), caramel, nuts notes, and clean citric acidity.
With a good balance between sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and saltiness, extremely harmonious and exciting.
Veracruz
Its characteristics vary by region and altitude, cultivated in privileged areas such as Cordoba, Coatepec, Zongolica, Huatusco, Misantla, and Tuxtla.
In the Veracruz coffee, we can find high-quality coffees with a delicate flavor with sweet and fruity notes, an intense aroma with a floral fragrance and spices, medium to intense acidity, and a full to medium body.
Oaxaca
This state has various climatic conditions and altitudes; it has the most significant number of coffee municipalities, such as Miahuatlan, Loxicha, Ayutla, Juquila, Mixe, Papaloapan, Bule, Valle Nacional, among others.
Producer of the famous "Café Pluma" of excellent quality and international recognition since it has a denomination of origin and quality standard.
In Oaxaca, we can find complex coffee notes like spices, floral and fruity fragrances, sweet aromas like maple, piloncillo, and cinnamon, and light-bodied and robust notes of chocolate. The aftertaste is complex and of medium duration.
Puebla
Regions such as Xicotepec, Pahuatlan, Zihuateutla, Cuetzalan, Hueytamalco, and Zapapoaxtla stand out.
In general, the coffees produced in Puebla give us flavors of medium intensity with notes of spices, fruity, and chocolate, medium to pronounced body, medium acidity, and sometimes astringent in very high areas.
Guerrero
Regions recognized for their coffee: Atoyac de Alvarez, San Luis Acatlan, Remonta, and El Paraiso.
It is characterized by the production of its natural coffees, identified as the "Atoyac" type. It is highly valued and demanded internationally and nationally for its unique attributes with predominantly sweet notes and highly complex.
Generally full-bodied, very fruity berry-like, spicy, and floral, with a strong aroma of chocolate and a long aftertaste.
More than 97% of the coffee in Mexico is grown under the shade of trees, which means it grows in harmony with its environment, which protects the soil from the loss of nutrients, deforestation, and numerous animal and plant species.
A coffee produced under the shade has a slower maturation process, which allows its organoleptic qualities to develop more.
Mexico is the country that produces the most recognized organic quality coffee.
The states of Chiapas and Oaxaca are the leading producers of this type of coffee, although we can also find them in other states in Mexico.
Generally, sensory attributes do not vary due to compliance with organic certification standards.
Coffee production in Mexico is divided into two main groups:
Now you know better which regions of Mexico to try first, what kind of notes you can expect, and some interesting facts that make this country an excellent reason to start drinking specialty coffee.
The festival was a unique event and we want to share our experience with you!
“It all started with one collective of vegan businesses in the Toronto neighborhood of Parkdale – coined Vegandale. We couldn’t contain this premiere destination for the vegan and vegan-curious in just one city block. So we pack up our vegan experiences and join forces with like-minded vendors and sponsors to promote a world where animal exploitation is a thing of the past.”
The organizers run the festival now in 5 cities:
DALLAS • MIAMI • LOS ANGELES • NEW YORK • TORONTO • CHICAGO
We at Killer Coffee were immediately thrilled to be part of the Vegandale festival and we knew that it was a perfect event for us, where specialty coffee and non-dairy beverages could not be missing.
Looking at the previous editions, we were pumped to participate in this event that promotes eating in a conscientious way, while offering good music and art, and of course, food delights and beverages.
With over 10,000 attendees and nearly 100 vendors, 25 coming from as far as California, Oregon, the Philippines, and beyond, this vegan festival was full of good vibes and exciting innovative foods.
The festival featured everything from plant-based burgers to ice cream, cheese—all of which were made from ingredients like nuts and seeds instead of animal products—. The festival also included several cooking innovations and brands focusing on veganism in general.
The entrance tickets (yes, you have to buy one) range from $5 as an early bird, $10, $15, and $20 on the same day of the event. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Live music and DJ, contests and art installations are part of the fun at this event.
What did we bring?
For this event we prepared 5 caffeinated drinks:
Our customers could choose between Almond and Soy milk to complement their drinks. Obviously, you couldn't miss our Killer Coffee bags from Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Guerrero as well as our cool t-shirts, and other merch!
Vendors:
In this edition 85 vendors participated, among them:
Official vendor lineup
It was (obviously after our coffee): Conscious Kitchen Miami, they have delicious vegan sandwiches, you can find them at the Coconut Grove Farmers Market every Saturday.
In summary:
If you are 100% vegan or curious about changing your eating habits and live in South Florida, because of the event, you will discover a bunch of South Florida vegan places you might never heard about.
Get there hungry and early, and know that you might expect long lines after 12 pm! Check more moments of Miami Vegandale fest and their upcoming fest in Toronto on August 6, 2022!
You can not miss Miami festivals throughout the year, if you like to try new things, check out the latest food and drink trends as well as support small local businesses in South Florida.
As a small coffee business, we have done our homework and visited many Green Markets in SOFLO:
Yes, a little bit of everything, and here are our insights.
We love organic markets, they are the perfect space in our communities to open the doors to new proposals, entrepreneurs with innovative, sustainable, original, and even exotic ideas that with luck, will end up being a success and migrating to their brick and mortar.
Part of what makes these markets a hit is not only the vendors but also the work behind it for planning and organization.
They are usually put together by the city, with the help of clever event planners that are always on the look for mostly eco-friendly vendors, preventing the use of plastics or contaminants as much as possible, and following safety rules for visitors and market participants.
If you like Florida sunshine, then visiting green markets is for you since most of them are outdoors, located on large premises with free parking available, near the beach, city parks, or even in public parking lots, so finding a place to park your ride is not a problem.
Full disclosure: the only one that has a parking fee is the Green Yellow Market Miami.
Got a furry friend to hang out with? Pet-friendly markets are the only markets in SOFLO, and they usually open from 9 am to 1 pm, on Saturdays and Sundays and some of them feature live music!
The truth is, you can get high-quality products that you won’t find anywhere else: produce, bread, cookies, sauces, honey, prepared meals, homemade spices, specialty coffee😜, jellies, popcorn, dog treats, kitchen utensils, and much more.
We have been amazed by the good vibe, and friendliness with which all the vendors treat each other, almost like a big family where everyone supports, encourages, and recommends each other upcoming events and ideas to have a great market day.
Although the market season goes from October - April every year due to the intense summer heat in Florida, there are a few smaller ones that run all year round, if you are visiting and have some time to hang out, we recommend taking a look at these, that in our opinion are the most interesting:
Check out the most complete list of farmer's markets in South Florida and choose the one closest to you!
Double-check each market's website to get a good idea of the location and times they run.
Coconut Creek FL | Hometown Market Township Plaza | 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month | 9am to 2pm
Parkland FL | Parkland's Farmers Market Equestrian Center | 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month | 9am to 1pm
Lake Worth FL | Lake Worth Old Bridge Park | Every Saturday | 9am to 1pm
The human being, always in search of continuous improvement and using creativity to avoid getting bored with the use of the internet, caused the rise of the barista at home, in search of the perfect cup.
We can see it on social networks such as Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, where coffee lovers show the world the best recipe they've found, the most beautiful or the most innovative, mixing textures and flavors that had rarely been combined before with coffee.
This leads us to analyze the situation of businesses abroad, independent coffee shops, and franchises that were able to better survive the pandemic thanks to the availability of resources that a corporation has and that a small business does not typically have on hand.
But we're not going to focus on chains but on independent businesses. Let's take a look at the coffee consumer in the US:
☕As of 2018 survey of U.S. consumers found the average coffee drinker consumes 2.7 cups per day, with the average size of a coffee cup measuring 9 ounces.
☕60% of American coffee drinkers visited a branded coffee shop chain at least once a month in 2018.
☕The Average American Spends $ 1,100 on Coffee Every Year!
Beyond the social and cultural aspects, if you're a person of numbers, it's more than clear that the financial benefits of buying your fresh coffee at your favorite independent coffee shop are better for your wallet and enjoyment.
Why? There are two main aspects that should be mentioned: the economic and the quality aspect.
Maybe it's coffee a necessity to have a little caffeine to wake up and go for your day.
Quality is not an important factor and the convenience of buying it in the supermarket is understandable, and not everyone is an expert in coffee or interested in trying new things.
If you want to save money and have functional coffee, buying at the supermarket is the option.
Normally, independent coffee shops offer better quality and freshness than chain shops. The interesting thing about an independent coffee shop is that each one has its own personality, which characterizes them and makes them unique.
Similarly, when buying coffee in a specialty coffee shop, besides supporting a small business, you can prepare up to 13 coffee cups with a 12oz bag, for $12-20 to prepare at home.
Also, if you are looking for:
You can choose between processes, profiles, varieties, countries, and types of roast, a range of options that a coffee chain is rare to find and if so, is commercial quality.
Specialty coffee is a better-tasting coffee that was processed by roasters, baristas, importers, exporters, and farmers who are treated with respect and value.
In summary, none is better, they are just different approaches, we just want to share the details that differentiate one concept from the other, if you are looking for comfort and something functional, the commercial chain cafe is the option.
Support your local businesses to help them thrive and grow. What's best is getting an amazing sensory coffee experience? Your go-to option is a specialty coffee shop!😉
]]>The coffee plant is a shrub-like tree that originates from Africa. It is known for its seed, which is roasted to produce coffee beans. The coffee seeds are found inside the fruit that grows on the plant. These are called "cherries."
To make your own cup of joe, you will need to process your chosen variety of coffee cherries. Most growers use one of two methods: dry or wet processing.
Hundreds of flavors, aromas, and profiles make coffee the new black gold, due to its consumption worldwide, second only to water. Coffee is not just those black, burnt beans, instant, or capsules. It's a whole new world of options.
To understand why coffee becomes so complex, it is because it is a fruit. And that fruit comes from a tree that blooms before the harvest and can have aromas and flavors of flowers like jasmine and herbs.
The coffee tree, originally from Africa, has two harvest seasons in one year depending on the latitude. The coffee cherry comes with two seeds, which are what you know as the roasted beans.
Coffee species like arabica and canephora are the most common, with arabica being more sensitive to high elevations but producing a better quality coffee cup.
The process transforms the cherry into a dried green bean, ready to be exported.
Once the cherries are picked up at their optimum point of ripeness, a period of 8 hours is preferred to take them to the next step, which can be either depulping them or letting them dry in the sun.
Every country and farm has its own techniques and equipment for removing the pulp from beans, and most of them work by friction.
Pergamino is the name coffee has at this stage. A "coffee screen size" is another artifact used to select the best coffee beans, according to size, and get a homogeneous batch that is easier to roast and delicious to cup.
The dry process or natural process is the most original and is used in countries with water shortages. The cherries are dried a couple of weeks on the floor or screens and have to be rotated to avoid mold and fermented flavors.
The beans in the parchment stage are saved in storage and are threshed before exportation to remove the last shell. This coffee process is robust and gives flavors like dried fruit, berries, and raisins. A dense body and normally good for espresso.
The coffee cherries are depulped and taken to pools of clean water to dissolve the sugars and reach a certain PH. After that, the beans are dried on patios or sieves to reach a humidity of 12%.
This process is one of the favorites of third-wave coffee lovers. A honey coffee gives a hint of fermented and complex flavors that makes a cup more interesting if you're searching for new experiences in your coffee journey.
The cherries are depulped and then with the mucilage, a layer that is located between the pulp and the parchment, that represents 20% of the fruit on a wet basis and around 5% on a dry basis, it is left in the seed to dry for days or even weeks.
The mucilage has sugars that turn to a sticky layer on the bean that gives the impression of honey when touched.
There are yellow, red, and black honeys on the market. These colors are determined according to the time they were rested in the sun.
Each one has an intensity in the sweetness and very characteristic notes that make a cup more complex and unique. It should be mentioned that in places where it rains constantly, coffee growers have a difficult time processing coffee this way.
These are the main processes coffee undergoes after being collected on the farm. Later, it passes into the hands of the middleman or the roaster, who buys directly from the producers. The latter is the best thing that can happen called direct trade, to improve the farmer's living wage.
Not many people know that coffee beans have a specific density, meaning how hard or light they are. Likewise, it is explained as the porosity of its anatomy.
We can compare it to the skin of the human body, which opens its pores when it is hot or when we exercise. If our pores are open on our faces, we are more susceptible to problems of all kinds.
Well, in coffee, a more dense coffee can be more challenging to roast, a less dense coffee can be extremely easy to burn. This is why the roaster needs to know these types of technical details before roasting coffee.
And then there's the humidity, coffee beans have a certain amount of water inside them, which is around 10-12% when they meet the right standards for roasting without producing mold while in storage.
If the bean is at or above 12%, it will require a longer roasting process. Or, if it’s below 10%, the roasting process and temperature used will need to be very careful not to over-cook this coffee.
Depending upon the bean’s density and moisture, a coffee roaster takes an average of 10 to 15 minutes to roast coffee. It is actually a quick process that doesn’t even take an hour.
Considering that while the roaster is skilled at handling coffee’s density and humidity, the biggest challenge is producing a pleasant tasting profile for the customer.
Dark roast for espresso, medium roast, and light roasts are some of the most prevalent roasts on the market, with coffee shops and consumers deciding what they enjoy best in their cup.
We hope you learned something new and enjoyed your cup of coffee!
But...what if we tell you that you don’t need to spend a penny on a new iced coffee maker to prepare a tasty iced coffee at home?
First things first. There are two ways to prepare iced coffee:
We recommend Cold brew concentrate. It is a stronger concentrate that can be added to any coffee drink for more flavor, character, and a dose of caffeine.
It can be mixed in many combinations including milk, flavored syrups, alcohol, tonic water, or ginger beer among others.
Keep in mind that cold brew is a concentrate, one shot of cold brew is like an espresso shot in terms of flavor concentration (about caffeine amount is another story...we will write another post about caffeine).
If you don’t have cold brew concentrate on hand, the second way to prepare iced coffee is to just brew a regular cup of coffee in the coffee maker that you’re already using and add ice.
**TIP: Use the double amount for brewing your coffee if you want to prepare an iced drink. Ex. 2.5 tbs of ground coffee for a regular hot cup will be 5 tbs for brewing coffee and then adding ice.
If you’re not in a hurry, you can allow the coffee to cool off naturally before adding ice to chill.
Alternatively, you can pull some espresso shots for more flavor intensity in your iced coffee. We recommend using medium or medium-dark roast.
If you still want to get one, you can find a good variety of iced coffee makers in the market to make cold brew. There are two types:
Immersion coffee makers work by letting the coffee brew in cold water for an extended period of time (sometimes eight, twelve, or twenty four hours) before filtering. This creates a more caffeinated concentrate that is usually diluted depending on your recipe.
Cold drip Coffee Makers like the “Cold water drip coffee maker” have three parts: The first part is where you pour cold water and ice. The second part is where you put the coffee grinds. The third part is where the extraction occurs.
Similar to the immersion coffee makers, cold drip coffee makers extract coffee without the use of hot water but with less time, creating flavors that are less bitter and more rich.
The interesting part of this process is that you can control how fast or slow the water is going to drip over the coffee. Play with this speed and your coffee ground selection to experiment with the flavors.
In terms of practicality and budget, immersion coffee makers are the best option. You can do it at home with any jar or plastic container, or get fancy and buy a toddy cold brew coffee maker.
Use a long narrow glass, pour the ginger beer over ice cubes. Then add 2 shots of cold brew coffee. For a more interesting visual presentation don’t stir. Finally, place your garnish!
If you make this drink with regular brewed coffee we recommend the following ratio:
If you want to switch things up, you can replace the ginger beer with tonic water, mineral water, ginger ale or your preferred milk.
The best part of preparing your cold brew coffee at home is that it can LAST UP TO 14 DAYS in the fridge! Plenty of time to get you through those hot summer days💦
Give it a try and let us know your toughts at the comments!
]]>Like other food and beverage worlds, the specialty field was born in the coffee industry a few years ago from a desire for great things.
Known as specialty coffees or single origin coffees, not to be confused with gourmet coffees (a marketing term used to sell more coffee) and used as a synonym to describe high quality coffees.
We always use wine and whiskey as examples.
Coffee professionals, farmers and roasters have evolved in new practices, training, methods and all kinds of processes that highlight the coffee flavors in order to make it a memorable sensorial experience.
In the US exists the Specialty Coffee Association who regulate the standards to evaluate, roast, taste and prepare coffee the right way.
But wait, what is a Specialty Grade Coffee? What makes it different from regular coffee like those we find at the grocery store?
There is a scale of 0-100 where coffees scoring 80 points and more are considered special coffees.
And who does that evaluation? Q-graders (coffee sommeliers) people certified and trained with very sensitive palates to discover defects and wonders in coffee beans.
When buying specialty coffee, be on the lookout for some helpful information on the bag to help you make the best possible decision for your tastes and preferences. Below is some of the information that may help make that choice:
Again, like a bottle of wine, you can see the traceability of the beans and get a better idea of the environment and where the premium quality coffee comes from.
We have created an infographic to illustrate better this process:
We are pretty sure everyone has had terrible burnt, stale, old, and bad quality coffee.
Maybe you have even become accustomed to those flavors. GROSS!
Open your mind and broaden your horizons! Aim to try new and different things experiencing what other types of coffee can offer.
If you are an adventurer like us, we challenge you to try the marvels of great quality coffee beans.
If you want a place to start, check the best specialty coffees from America in 2022.
Being a specialty coffee and being organic does not necessarily go hand in hand, as the certification to be able to showcase the organic label associated with your coffee needs to be purchased and many of the small farmers and communities that grow coffee simply cannot afford it.
Regardless of if they follow the rules and guidelines, they still need to pay for the certificate.
Being organic is not a requirement to be a specialty coffee nor is it associated with the grading system or the point structure.
For information on being organic, you will need to read the tag or ask your barista/roaster if the beans are sourced from a farmer using organic methods.
FYI, Killer Coffee sources our coffee from farmers using organic and sustainable methods (Wink wink nudge nudge).
Anyone and EVERYONE! Premium quality coffee is not reserved just for coffee snobs or coffee professionals.
There is only one requirement for enjoying this delicious beverage: a desire to experience remarkable coffee.
These coffee beans still belong to a small niche but are growing rapidly.
The pandemic made many of us become home-baristas (voluntarily or lack of other options) while learning more about the coffee we drink and how to prepare in new different ways.
So, where to buy fresh specialty coffee?
A somewhat simple recommendation is to follow what our grandparents used to do: when you need meat you go to the butchery, when you need bread you go to the bakery and when you want specialty coffee you go to a coffee company.
Quality can be purchased from a specialty coffee store online like ours. You would also be supporting a small business with a passion to provide you with the best option.
You might be wondering which coffee brand is the best to begin your specialty coffee adventure.
Hundreds of micro-roasters offer specialty coffee in their menu and more pop up what seems like every week!
So, the thing that matters is to check your options, try their coffee, and ask for basic information covered in this article to better understand what you will be buying.
In the specialty coffee realm, there are so many options and everyone’s tastes are different with no real best/worst coffees the sky is the limit.
Shoot for the moon and experience different magical coffees!😉
Stay Tuned!
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