Preparation of specialty coffee

The preparation of specialty coffee is a key point to achieve a quality cup. For its execution, there are several types of coffee makers on the market, each with its own characteristics and preparation methods. We explain the main methods, click on your coffee maker.

Italian coffee maker

Filter or pour-over

French press

Aeropress

Expresso

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Italian coffee maker

Requirements

• Italian coffee maker
• specialty coffee
• Coffee grinder (optional)

Instructions

1. Grind the coffee just before extraction for best results (fine grind, similar to salt).
2. Fill the coffee basket , leveling the top without pressing the coffee.
3. Preheat low-mineral water in a kettle or microwave. In this way we will expose the ground coffee to heat for less time, avoiding its cooking.
4. Fill the bottom section with water to just below the safety valve. Never cover the valve with water to avoid overpressure.
5. Place the coffee basket and screw on the top, sealing properly.
6. Heat the coffee maker over medium-low heat with the lid open. When the water boils, it will rise, filling the upper compartment. The rate of rise will be proportional to the strength of the fire, in this case, we do not want it to go too fast.
7. Close the lid and stop the heat when you hear a gurgling sound.
8. Pour cold water into the outside of the bottom compartment to cut coffee extraction and avoid metallic flavors.
9. Pour the coffee into your cup and enjoy!

Additional Tips:

Make sure you clean it well and do not store it until it is completely dry to avoid rust.

When you store it, do not close it completely to extend the life of the contact rubber.

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Filter or pour-over

Requirements

• V60 / Chemex / Kalita Coffee Maker
• Filters for the coffee maker
• Gooseneck kettle (to ensure even pouring)
• specialty coffee
• Coffee grinder (optional)
• Weighing machine

Instructions:

We recommend a ratio of 60g/L of coffee to start, then you can experiment to your liking. 3 variables determine its flavor: grind size, contact time and amount of coffee.

1. Grind the coffee just before extraction for best results (medium grind, similar to sugar). Remember to weigh the amount of coffee to maintain the ratio.
2. Heat low mineral water in the kettle.
3. Place the filter in the coffee maker and pour hot water over it to remove any subsequent papery tastes and preheat the coffee maker. Later discard this water.
4. Put the coffee maker on the scale and add the coffee to the filter, ensuring that we have the correct amount and reset the weight value.
5. We start the stopwatch and pour the hot water until the layer of coffee is covered (approximately twice as much water as coffee by weight). And we waited about 30 seconds.
6. Slowly pour in the rest of the water until you reach the target amount. Do this in a circular motion directly over the coffee, not on the walls of the filter to prevent it from straining without passing through the coffee.
7. Shake it gently so the coffee doesn't stick to the walls. And wait for all the water to pass to the lower compartment.
8. Pour the coffee into your cup and enjoy!

Additional Tips:

• If you don't like the result of the coffee, you can change the grind size. If the taste is bitter, try a coarser grind. If the flavor is too mild, try a finer grind.

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French press

A simple, cheap, replicable method that many of us have at home. We obtain a tall, aromatic body with greater texture. We explain how to do a correct extraction.

Requirements:

• French press
• specialty coffee
• Coffee grinder (optional)
• Weighing machine

Instructions:

We recommend a ratio of 70g/L of coffee to start.

1. Grind the coffee just before extraction for best results (medium-coarse grind). Remember to weigh the amount of coffee to maintain the ratio.
2. Heat low mineral water in the kettle.
3. Add the coffee to the press and place it on the scale.
4. Pour the water relatively quickly until you reach the desired proportion.
5. Let the coffee sit for 4 minutes. The coffee will begin to float to the top.
6. Stir with a spoon, letting most of the floating coffee fall out.
7. Eliminate the foam and floating coffee with the spoon and wait about 5 minutes. Don't worry, the coffee will still be too hot to drink and this way we let more particles fall.
8. Place the mesh without submerging it. Immersing the screen would create turbulence and lift brown sediment from the bottom of the press.
9. Pour the coffee slowly through the mesh until you're near the bottom. Avoid removing this last part of coffee and you will enjoy delicious coffee!

Additional Tips:

• Many people recommend pouring the coffee all at once to prevent the coffee from continuing to extract flavor and becoming overloaded with bitterness. But by following the steps above, we will avoid these negative flavors, therefore it is not necessary.

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Aeropress

The Aeropress is a somewhat unusual coffee maker that has gained considerable popularity in recent years. It is a very versatile method, there are a large number of recipes and even its own contest. We are going to explain to you the one that we like the most.

Requirements:

• Aeropress
• Filters for Aeropress
• specialty coffee
• Coffee grinder (optional)
• Weighing machine

Instructions:

We recommend a ratio of 75g/L of coffee to start. You can try 100g/L if you want a slightly stronger coffee.

1. Grind the coffee just before extraction for best results (medium-fine grind, similar to salt). Remember to weigh the amount of coffee to maintain the ratio.
2. Heat low mineral water in the kettle.
3. Place the filter (we recommend putting 2 together) in the coffee maker and pour hot water over it to eliminate subsequent papery flavors and preheat the coffee maker.
4. Insert the piston about 2cm into the coffee maker and place it upside down on the scale (supported by the piston - unlike in the attached image).
5. Add the coffee, ensuring that we have the correct amount and reset the weight value.
6. We pour the water after about 20 seconds of boiling until we reach the desired proportional amount.
7. Gently stir the coffee with the paddle and start the timer and wait for 1 minute and remove it from the scale.
8. Screw on the lid with the filter and then push the piston until it is practically touching the filter.
9. Place the coffee container on top and turn it over so that now it is facing the direction of the attached image, the coffee will begin to drip slightly.
10. Squeeze the piston gently and consistently so that it takes about 15 seconds to reach the end (never go to the limit, leave some margin before touching the coffee grounds).
11. Pour the coffee into your cup and enjoy!

Additional Tips:

• You can change the proportion of coffee and the times, as well as add the recipe until you discover your favorite. For example, without reversing the position of the Aeropress.

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Expresso

This is the most used method when we drink coffee outside the home. But while some have the pleasure of enjoying a coffee as powerful and precise as an espresso at home. This recipe is for you!

Requirements:

• Expresso machine with filter holder
• Tamper
• specialty coffee
• Coffee grinder (optional)
• Weighing machine

Instructions:

We are going to make a recipe for a double expresso. You can pour into the same cup or 2 at a time.

1. Clean the filter holder without leaving any coffee residue and dry it.
2. Grind the coffee just before extraction for best results (fine grind). We will use 18g, if you have no other recommendation.
3. Place the coffee in the portafilter if you didn't do it directly from the grinder in step 2.
4. Press the coffee with the tamper with a straight wrist, ensuring symmetrical distribution.
5. Weigh the cup where we are going to extract the coffee.
6. Turn on the coffee maker and purge the group . This will heat the ducts and clean any coffee residue.
7. Place the portafilter in the coffee maker, start the extraction and time it.
8. Wait about 25-29 seconds and stop the coffee extraction. We should have obtained a proportion around 2:1, that is, about 38g of coffee (between 36 and 45 will be an acceptable range). Otherwise we recommend adjusting the coffee grind as explained in the additional tips.
9. Don't forget to enjoy your delicious expresso!

Additional Tips:

• If we obtained too much coffee in those 25-29 seconds, we will say that the coffee is under-extracted. It did not manage to bring out all the flavor of the ground coffee and therefore we have a somewhat watery result. We have to grind finer or if you bought ground coffee, add more coffee.
• If, on the other hand, we obtained very little coffee, we will say that the coffee is over-extracted. It was difficult to get through the layer of ground coffee and therefore we obtained a rather bitter coffee. We have to grind the coffee finer or if you bought it ground, reduce the amount of coffee.
• If you have additional problems or questions, contact us and we will help you get the best coffee in your expresso machine.