Coffee processing has been a frequent topic in our blogs. I think I gravitate to talking about it because I believe it is the single most significant aspect of the 11 step process that makes your coffee taste the way it does. Especially if it is processed using any method other than washed. A washed method basically eliminates the processing method's impact and lets everything else in the coffee shine. A Funky coffee is nearly the opposite. Read on to understand what I mean.
Decaffeinated coffees often get a bad rap, and for a while, we were those people that saw decaf coffee as lesser than the real deal, but we have realized now, after searching long and hard for quality decaf beans, that this is far from the truth. A high-quality decaf coffee, when roasted correctly, can actually taste like regular coffee!
To start a discussion on coffee processing, I have to start with the ten steps to take coffee from seed to a cup. When I first learned there were ten steps, I thought, "Grow, roast, grind, brew. What else could there be?" As discussed on National Coffee Association's website they are as follows:
I find it interesting how people connect to coffee. Some people just love coffees from a particular country. Some people ask me for a good coffee at a certain roast level. I've heard a lot of requests for specific varietals of beans. But seldom do I get a request for a certain processing method. However, I believe the processing method has as much if not more impact on the flavor of coffee than any of the items listed above. I'm writing this post to talk about my favorite processing method and hope to show you another factor to pay attention to when picking coffee.
Years ago, I thought I knew decaf. I knew that it was made with chemicals that I was happier staying in the dark on the details. I knew that it was a crappy version of coffee. I agreed with David Letterman when he said, "Decaf coffee, it's just useless warm brown water."
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Coffee Grinds Explained
We currently offer 4 different coffee grind levels. Listed below with descriptions.
Whole Bean:Unground coffee for a home grinder.
Coarse: Think sugar in the raw, maybe more coarse, recommended for Chemex Brewer, French Press, Cold Brew
Medium: Slightly coarser than table salt, recommended for Metal Kone filters, Flat bottom brewers including Kalitta, Cloth filters
Fine: Slightly finer than table salt, recommended for V60 pour overs, Cone filter coffee pots, Moka Pot, Aeropress.
Extra Fine: Like powdered sugar, recommended for Espresso.
If at all possible, we recommend grinding at home. We prefer Baratza coffee grinders and offer several of their models for sale.Click hereto shop for one of their brewers.
