gatherings

Unveiling the Delicious World of Freshly Roasted Coffee: A Controversial Perspective

Unveiling the Delicious World of Freshly Roasted Coffee: A Controversial Perspective

For coffee connoisseurs, the debate over the optimal time to savor a freshly roasted brew is as heated as the drink itself. One school of thought argues that the most delectable cup comes straight from the roaster, while others contend that the aroma and flavor develop more fully after a period of rest. Let's delve into this controversial topic and explore the nuances of freshly roasted coffee. The moment coffee beans are roasted, they release carbon dioxide (CO2), a gas responsible for locking in flavors. This process is known as degassing, and it's essential for developing the unique aroma and…
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Unraveling the Mystery of Silent First Crack in Coffee Roasting

Unraveling the Mystery of Silent First Crack in Coffee Roasting

Some coffee roasters are puzzled by a phenomenon where they can't hear a prominent first crack during the roasting process, despite indications of medium-dark roast. This issue seems to be particularly prevalent with certain coffees like Colombian, Guatemalan Huehue, and Natural Brazilian. Let's dive into this intriguing conundrum. First crack, a significant event in the coffee roasting process, is characterized by an audible popping sound as moisture within the beans begins to evaporate. The first crack usually occurs around 350-400°F (176-204°C) and marks the transition from the drying phase to the development phase. However, it appears that with certain coffees,…
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Aillio Bullet R2 Pro vs Traditional Gas Roaster: Which One Wins for Light Roasts?

Aillio Bullet R2 Pro vs Traditional Gas Roaster: Which One Wins for Light Roasts?

If you're a coffee enthusiast seeking to upgrade your roasting game, you might be pondering whether to invest in the Aillio Bullet R2 Pro or stick with your trusty traditional gas roaster. Let's delve into the pros and cons of each, so you can make an informed decision without any regrets. Traditional Gas Roasters have been a staple in home roasting for years, offering a reliable performance with some room for modification like adding a needle gas valve or digital pressure differential gauge. However, they lack automation, which can be a significant drawback if you're aiming for consistent results and…
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Unraveling the Mystery of Roast Defects: An In-Depth Look at Deformed Beans and Their Causes

Unraveling the Mystery of Roast Defects: An In-Depth Look at Deformed Beans and Their Causes

You've scored a batch of coffee beans with an impressive 87 SCA, but upon cupping, you find that the quality falls far short of expectations. The culprit? Deformed beans that make up around 4% of your total weight. But what exactly are these defective beans, and how can you identify and address them? Let's dive into the fascinating world of roast defects beyond basic unevenness. First off, it's essential to understand that green coffee beans may contain internal or external defects due to various factors such as improper harvesting, processing, or storage. One common green defect is known as "roasted…
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Roasting Coffee Comfortably: Sitting vs. Standing and Ergonomic Solutions for Your Wellbeing

Roasting Coffee Comfortably: Sitting vs. Standing and Ergonomic Solutions for Your Wellbeing

Spending countless hours roasting coffee can take a toll on your body, especially if you're stuck in a bad posture like I was, sitting in an uncomfortable chair with a laptop at the wrong height. This predicament has led me to ponder – do professional roasters stand for the whole day, multiple days a week? And more importantly, what are some ergonomic solutions that can alleviate neck and back pain while keeping me productive during long roasting sessions? First off, let's address the age-old question: sitting or standing while roasting coffee? The answer might not be as straightforward, but understanding…
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A Deep Dive into Indoor Grown Coffee: Part 2 – Roasting and Brewing

A Deep Dive into Indoor Grown Coffee: Part 2 – Roasting and Brewing

The wait is over. After months of nurturing our indoor-grown coffee tree, the cherries are finally ready for the next phase. In this post, we'll delve into the process of roasting and brewing your home-grown coffee beans, with a few insights on cascara tea along the way. The Roast: Once the cherries were dry enough after a few weeks in the food dehydrator, it was time to remove the husks and beans. The beans were then sorted by size and quality before being roasted using a DIY popcorn popper contraption. The roasting process brought out the coffee's unique acidity, toasty…
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Mastering Home Espresso with Delonghi Stilosa: A Personal Journey

Mastering Home Espresso with Delonghi Stilosa: A Personal Journey

Delve into the world of espresso at home, a journey I've recently embarked on, and let me share my initial foray with the DeLonghi Stilosa. The coffee beans, hailing from Torra in Portugal, present as a medium/light roast that has piqued my interest. The DeLonghi Stilosa offers versatility, allowing me to bypass the pressurization feature on its original baskets for a more traditional extraction method. Although it doesn't come with an IMS basket, adjusting the pressure manually has proven rewarding. Pairing the original tamper, a homemade WDT tool, and a Kingrinder K6 grinder, I've found a sweet spot with 14-15g…
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The Unprofessional Roaster: When Customer Service Goes Awry

The Unprofessional Roaster: When Customer Service Goes Awry

You order premium coffee beans, expecting a rich, aromatic brew. But what you get is a bag filled with more chaff than beans, and a taste that's anything but delightful. That was my recent experience with Redber's Guatemala Antigua, a bitter, woody concoction that left me questioning the quality of their roasting process. I had high hopes for this direct purchase, having encountered stale coffee from other sellers on Amazon. I even emailed Redber ahead of time to ensure freshness. But what arrived was a bag full of beans mixed with an excessive amount of chaff. The coffee tasted extremely…
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The Unfair Espresso Landscape: Why Don’t Coffee Shops Offer More Roast Choices?

The Unfair Espresso Landscape: Why Don’t Coffee Shops Offer More Roast Choices?

It's baffling that in a world where wine lists offer an extensive array of choices, most coffee shops limit their options to just one or two roasts. As a casual coffee drinker, I find this lack of choice particularly frustrating, given my partner and I have distinct preferences for dark, chocolatey blends over acidic, citrusy ones. The divide in coffee flavor profiles is real, yet it's rarely catered to beyond the most specialist independent coffee shops. My partner, who drinks her coffee black, finds that the tanginess of acidic coffees becomes increasingly unpalatable as they cool. On the other hand,…
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Why Specialty Decaf Coffee Is a Game Changer for Coffee Lovers

Why Specialty Decaf Coffee Is a Game Changer for Coffee Lovers

Specialty decaf coffee is no longer the underdog in the coffee world. It's time to reconsider this caffeine-free option, especially when it comes to high-quality, carefully crafted beans. Let's dive into five compelling reasons why specialty decaf coffee deserves a spot in your kitchen. 1. Purely Natural Decaffeination Processes The misconception that decaf coffee is always loaded with harmful chemicals is a thing of the past. Enter the Swiss Water Process—a groundbreaking approach to decaffeinating coffee beans, using only water and no synthetic compounds. Bye-bye trichloroethylene, ethyl acetate, and ethylene chloride. This method preserves the original flavors, aromas, and even…
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