Beyond Know How

Before coffee beans can be turned into something drinkable they must first undergo a roasting process, whereby the beans become chemically transformed to bring out unique flavors and aromas that wouldn’t otherwise exist. During the coffee roasting process, the beans go from a green color to a golden color to the brown color that most people associate with coffee. The degree of browning or roasting depends on the desired outcome of the brewer. For a bolder, roastier bean profile, the brewer may decide to roast to French Roast, which is considered very dark. French Roast is the roast profile used by many of the commercial cafes including Starbucks and Peets Coffee. A lighter roast profile is often used by coffee enthusiasts in order to allow for the unique flavor compounds of different bean types to come through in the final cup. A roast profile somewhat less than French Roast will allow you to use your favorite small coffee maker to produce something truly fantastic.

Using a French Press or “press pot” to brew coffee is a great method for producing a rich, full-bodied cup. While the press pot is considered by many to be the best small coffee maker available, one of the most often cited complaints is that the brewing process leaves a fine layer of coffee sediment in the bottom of the cup. The layer is not of particular concern if you’re aware of it and remember not to drink the last 1/4-inch of coffee. The problem arises when you forget about the sludge and drink it down, filling your mouth with a gritty and bitter mess. Fortunately, there is a simple method for reducing the amount of sludge in the final cup. It’s important that the size of the grind match the type of filter being used. For large mesh metal type filters it’s critical to use a very coarse grind, about he size of rock salt. A finer grind can be used, but it is recommended that a nylon filter be implemented to prevent the smaller coffee particles from making their way into the final cup. By following this simple bit of advice you’re sure to have a much cleaner and more enjoyable coffee experience.