I want nicer coffees that are good for me, that are healthy, that taste great. What do I need to know, what are the misconceptions? — Steven Bartlett , Diary of a CEO
Coffee is still brown and mean and miserable in corporate coffee chains and greasy spoon cafes masquerading as coffee shops.
It only takes one person in the coffee chain from the farm, processing, roastery , to brewing in the coffee shop, to ruin what would otherwise be a great coffee.
Support local independent coffee shops where they care about coffee, not only care, are passionate.
Once one is found, they will happily recommend other coffee shops.
Once tried, there is no going back. Not once you’ve woken to what great coffee tastes like, those flavour notes exploding in the brain.
Sit and relax, served in glass or ceramic, never in a takeaway cup running down the street. Savour the moment.
Coffee shops, speciality coffee shops, are excellent locations for buying coffee beans. Never off the shelf in a supermarket.
Contrary to popular misconception, coffee from a speciality coffee shop, not only tastes great, is actually healthy. High in fibre and polyphenols.
A few years back, I took my friend Georgia to a coffee shop. Georgia did not like coffee. I explained to the barista what we wanted, gave him the coffee beans. Whilst we were waiting, I explained to Georgia why she did not like coffee, crap coffee, no investment in staff or equipment, served too hot. Yes, it’s always too hot to drink. Her cappuccino arrived. You don’t have to drink it if you don’t like it. She took a tiny tentative sip as though poison. Then drained the cup. I thought you don’t like coffee? I don’t, but that was ok. Did you notice you did not add sugar. Oh no, it did not need sugar.
Some months later, she posted a picture on social media, of her using an espresso machine . I called her on a video call. Is this a joke? No, I’ve bought an espresso machine. She told me of the different origins of the beans. From where do you buy the beans, how do you grind them? I go to the coffee shop you took me to, he grinds them. No, no, no, they will be stale and oxidised, have to be ground fresh for each brew. I held up a hand grinder to show her. Thank you Keith , that is a nice present you are bringing me when I pick you up at the Airport.
Some months later, we met at a coffee shop in Athens. I asked that they let her try their Kenyan coffee. OMG Keith , can I buy the beans? I asked that they explain to her, micro lot.
How do I decide on a coffee shop , apart from word of mouth?
The coffee equipment. If they have invested in top gear, it tells me they care.
The coffee they use. Ask the barista. Er, don’t know mate. It’s a secret. Or it’s cheap poor quality commodity coffee. Turn on heals and walk out.
A row of syrups. A red flag, we serve shit coffee.
More nuanced. Fail to grind fresh for each brew. Fail to weigh the ground coffee. Fail to regularly adjust the grind settings. At the end of the day, fail to empty the hopper and store the beans.
#coffee
Keithpp's Blog 