We all know that coffee makes the world go round, but how much do we really know about this beloved, energizing drink? Brewing coffee is an art, one that is full of flavor and variety. It may seem daunting to explore the world of specialty coffees, but there is much to learn and discover on this journey. From the wakening aromas of freshly ground beans to the blissful sipping of a perfect cup of joe, the art of brewing specialty coffees is a delightful experience worthy of exploration.
1. Unlocking the World of Specialty Coffees
For coffee-lovers out there, specialty coffees are a delightful way to enjoy the full cup of joe. Each bean produces a unique flavor and thanks to a vibrant range of sourcing options, specialty coffees can come from all over the world.
From Nicaragua to Papua New Guinea and from Guatemala to Ethiopia, each type of coffee offers a unique taste and aroma that is completely distinct from anything else. Not only that, but craft coffee roasters are able to add their own flavor to the beans they are sourcing to create their very own coffee concoctions.
- Nicaraguan – Well balanced with subtle acidity, nutty and chocolate undertones, and hints of stone fruit.
- Papua New Guinean – Bold, smoky, and full-bodied with caramel undertones.
- Guatemalan – Rich and nutty, with a main flavor of chocolate and hints of fruit and cherry.
- Ethiopian – You’ll find bold flavors of citrus fruits, blueberries, and floral notes.
The specialty-grade coffees produced from these countries have different flavor notes, such as bright, crisp, sweet, and more. With this fantastic range of flavor and aroma, we’re sure specialty coffees are here to provide with a cup that is guaranteed to suit your taste.
2. Learning the Art of Brewing
The Basics
Brewing is an art as much as it is a science – mastering the process takes patience, practice, and knowledge. Before you can begin brewing, you need to understand the basic steps to making beer: mashing, lautering, boiling, and fermentation.
Mashing is the process of combining grains such as barley with hot water. The result of this step is wort, a sugary, liquid substance that will foster the fermentation of the beer. After a specific time, the grains are separated from the wort, in a process called lautering.
The Boiling Process
The wort is then boiled for a specific period of time with hops. Depending on the desired taste, type, and bitterness of the beer, different amounts of hops can be added as well as at different times of the boiling process, giving the beer unique flavors.
The wort is then cooled down, allowing yeast to be added. The yeast will eat the sugars in the wort, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide in the process. This is the fermentation process and it must be closely controlled to ensure that the right balance of yeast is obtained.
Types of Beer
The type of beer being brewed will depend on the type of grains and hops used as well as the fermentation and brewing process. There are a variety of different types of beer including:
- Pale Ale
- Stout
- IPA
- Amber Ale
- Lager
- Pilsner
Making beer is a delicate, but rewarding process. With patience and practice, anyone can learn the art of brewing great tasting beer.
3. Exploring Different Roasts and Blends
If you’re a coffee lover, then discovering the vast wealth of different roasts and blends is like unlocking the secrets to the universe. Sure, there’s the usual espresso, mocha, and latte–but go deeper and you’ll find a hidden realm of deliciousness.
Light Roast: Roasted at a lower temperature for a shorter duration, light roasts have a mellow flavor, and thin body. They’ve got a slight acidity, low oils, and minimal bitterness. Perfect for gentle sipping and caffeine boost-ups!
Medium Roast: The backbone of every coffee menu, the medium roast has an intense aroma, balanced flavors, and a fuller body. Their flavor is clean, and depending on the roast, you’ll get bittersweet chocolate and nutty notes.
Dark Roast: When you think dark roast coffee, you think about the richest and most intense flavor. Dark roasting caramelizes the sugars, develops the coffee’s body, and brings out a bitter undercurrent. Here’s a top 4 list of dark roast blends you should try:
- Sumatran
- French
- Italian
- Spanish
4. Appreciating the Variety of Tastes
Artisanal cheeses, single malt scotch whiskeys, spicy foods, baked goods – there is so much variety in taste to appreciate. Eating a big bite of your favorite food can be a delight, but variety can add depth to your appreciation.
Exploring how different flavors interact can help us appreciate the wide range of tastes available. Unnumbered lists, like a cheese plate, can be composed of cheeses of different textures, origins, and ages.
Stronger flavors can be offset by balancing with smooth, creamy, and salty accompaniments. For example, spicy Indian dishes may include plain yogurt to cut the intensity of the spices. Popcorn with melted butter and Parmesan can also change the eating experience.
The appreciation of diverse tastes can take us to far-flung places while making us savor the moment. In addition, experimenting can make us appreciate the hard work and attention to detail that goes into making artisanal foods. From sourdough breads, to French pastries, to savory cheeses – there is no limit to the amount of delightful flavor combinations to sample.
5. Enjoying the Benefits of Freshly Ground Beans
One of the best things about having fresh coffee is the aroma that wafts through your home every morning. Freshly ground coffee beans bring out the full flavor of the beans, as each bean has been ground to perfection. With coffee freshly ground, you’re guaranteed to have delicious coffee every time! Here are some of the ways to enjoy the benefits of freshly ground beans:
- Take the time to savor each cup of coffee – With freshly ground beans, flavor notes start out more subtle, but will intensify as the cup cools. Savor each cup, and experience all the different flavor notes as the cup cools.
- Make sure you use the right grind size for your coffee maker – Depending on how you make your coffee, the grind size of your freshly ground beans matters. Using the wrong grind size can result in a weak or bitter cup of coffee.
- Add creamer or sugar – Incorporating a bit of sweetness or cream into your coffee can really bring out the flavor of your freshly ground beans and make for an even more delicious cup of coffee.
No matter how you like it, freshly ground coffee beans are always the way to go for a delicious cup of joe. The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans will have you looking forward to every cup – and with its intense flavor, you won’t want to miss out on getting a cup of freshly ground beans!
6. Discovering New Types of Coffee Drinks
Trying new drinks is a key part of enjoying coffee to its fullest. Below are some of the most interesting and unique coffee-based beverages to try.
Affogato – an Italian classic – is a scoop of ice cream topped with a shot of espresso. The beauty of this drink is that the espresso melts the ice cream ever so slightly, to create a creamy, sweet, and slightly caffeinated paradise. Enjoy with a biscotti for a real Italian experience.
Cortado is an espresso-based drink that originated in Spain and is quickly gaining popularity in the coffee shop scene. It is simply espresso topped with a little steamed milk and foam, and usually served in a small glass. It’s a great way to control how much milk you have in your coffee.
Caffè Gommosa is a twist on the caffè macchiato with a hint of sweetness. It is a rich and creamy concoction of espresso, cream, and Italian meringue foam. This unique coffee drink has a layer of crunchy crushed ice at the top for an added texture, making it the icy-hot experience that’s perfect for any time of year!
From Italian classics to Spanish curiosities and modern favorites, there are endless new coffee drinks to explore.
- Iced Matcha Latte
- Ginger Turmeric Golden Latte
- Cold Brew with Coconut Milk
- Coffee Chai
- Mocha Frappe
Brewing specialty coffees is an art as much as it is a science. With great ingredients, the right tools, and a dash of creativity, you can unlock innumerable varieties of these unique caffeinated brews and explore the vibrant world of specialty coffee drinks. After all, who doesn’t love to enjoy a great cup of joe!
