Tag: Coffee Beans

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New beans are here…

Coffee Beans

We’ve just taken delivery of new roasts:

There’s a new roast of the Nicaraguan El Diablo which we’ve been stocking recently – with taste notes of Green Apple, Caramel, Almond. Some of the previous roast are still available at a discounted rate.

There are new roasts of The Wing and The Block blends, again some previous roasts are now available at a discount.

We also have a new coffee from Colombia – El Placer. From the Ortega region, this roast has tatse notes of Tropical Fruits, Butterscotch, Fudge. Grown above 1600m this coffee is no ordinary coffee as it’s a late harvest variety which has then been double fermented and washed. This produces a complex flavour profile – definitely one to try.

Most of our coffees have a number of stories associated with them, reflecting some themes of community regeneration, minority support, social responsibility and social justice. Find out more here.

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Here’s some Coffee Basics

simple coffee science

At its simplest, making coffee is just about combining ground coffee and hot water.

People have different preferences and tastes though, so there’s no automatic formula to making a cup that YOU will enjoy – everyone needs to experiment and find what they like best!

There are some simple principles that can help you get more from your coffee, here’s a few of them:

The better the origin the more chance you have that it will taste good – this applies to both the coffee and the water.

Some people do make coffee with boiled spring water as they think it gives the coffee the best chance. That may be going way too far for most people, but it is worth remembering that the water you use will have an impact – using water that has gone through a water filter could be a good idea if you have one.

The coffee origin can be talked about for ever – but there is at least a very simple thing to remember: the fresher the coffee the better. So within the coffee making process it’s ideal to keep the coffee in the form of beans as long as possible before grinding – right up until you actually make the coffee in fact! Air is an enemy of coffee freshness – so when you grind the coffee it’s best not to do it days or hours in advance, but just as the water is boiling.

You can still get great tasting coffee from pre-ground coffee – but don’t keep ground coffee in the cupboard for months on end, and remember this thing about air being coffee’s enemy: keep your coffee in an airtight container and limit its exposure.

The water you use should be off the boil (best at90 to 95 degrees celsius) – certainly not boiling.

What’s next depends upon the coffee making method that you use: in fact the grind fine-ness of your coffee should really be different depending upon the coffee maker that you’re using.

Turkish coffee requires the finest grind (almost like powder), espresso makers very fine too, AeroPress generally uses a reasonably fine grind (like fine sand) as do stovetop makers and syphon devices. Automatic filter makers need something a little coarser but we’re still staying on the fine side with these.

A pourover coffee maker or a Chemex needs a grind on the coarser side (but not too much as the coffee grinds are in contact with any part of the water just briefly, as it flows through).

A Clever Dripper , a Cafetiere/French Press, or Cold Brew require the coarsest grind as the coffee will be seeping in the water for an extended period of time.

Once you’ve made your coffee, don’t leave the coffee standing – dispense it and drink it!! The longer it stands the more bitter it will become as the coffee grinds will have been in contact with the water for too long.

Hopefully those principles are useful in approaching your coffee making – remember to experiment and enjoy finding out the differences that result from changing some of the ways you make your coffee.

Oh, one last point – the ratio of coffee to water will be something that you decide for yourself – but it’s useful to start from the Speciality Coffee Association best brewing practices: 55g of coffee to 1 litre of water (which works out at about 14g for a small mug of 250ml, or about 18g for a large mug of 330ml).

View our speciality coffee selection and coffee making devices at artistrycoffee.co.uk

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Codes of Conduct and Standards expected in our coffee supply

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on StockSnap.

Our coffee suppliers, Redemption Roasters, are a great partner for us as they strongly believe in doing business with integrity – and in turn they expect their coffee suppliers to share a commitment to ethical practices. There are several values principles and standards to be upheld.

First and foremost, suppliers must comply with all local and national laws, rules, and regulations that apply to their products and services. This includes following the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Core Conventions. By doing so, dedication is shown to doing business ethically and legally.

Our suppliers are expected to ensure that no one under their country’s legal working age is involved in producing or distributing goods and services to us. Every child deserves a childhood free from exploitation.

Forced labour also has no place in our supply chain. Practices like slavery, bonded labour, or human trafficking are forbidden. Workers should never be forced to work under threat or coercion. Suppliers are also discouraged from holding workers’ identification documents as a condition of employment.

Respecting workers’ rights is crucial. Workers should have freedom to associate or not associate with any trade group, as allowed by the relevant laws. Even if national laws limit these rights, suppliers are encouraged to find alternative ways for workers to freely associate.

Equality and inclusivity matter greatly and suppliers are expected to promote a work environment where everyone has equal opportunities, with no discrimination or harassment of any kind.

It’s important that workers are fairly rewarded for their contributions, and suppliers must adhere to the applicable legal requirements regarding wages and benefits. Exceedence of these minimums is also supported.

The safety and well-being of workers are paramount and suppliers are expected to provide safe and clean working conditions. Occupational health and safety standards must be met, ensuring the well-being of workers in both working and residential facilities.

Suppliers are expected to have procedures in place to understand, measure, and manage the environmental impacts associated with their goods and services. Sustainable practices that minimize harm to the environment are encouraged.

Upholding ethical business practices is essential for maintaining trust and transparency. Suppliers must comply with all relevant laws and industry codes regarding government procurement, conflicts of interest, corruption, and bribery.

To ensure worker welfare, suppliers are asked to establish grievance mechanisms that are transparent and easily accessible. Workers should have a way to voice their concerns anonymously if needed. Clear disciplinary procedures must be in place, and all disciplinary matters should be handled in a lawful manner.

By embracing these ethical principles, the coffee supply chain can work together to create a responsible and sustainable process that benefits everyone involved.

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The 4th Wave of Coffee : Ethically Sourced Burundi Beans

Photo by The Lazy Artist Gallery on StockSnap. Filter coffee being made pourover style

In recent years, the coffee industry has experienced what is known as the fourth wave of coffee, which emphasizes the quality of the coffee bean and the ethical practices used to produce it. This movement has led to the emergence of specialty coffee roasters, who are dedicated to sourcing ethically and roasting only the finest coffee beans from around the world.

One such roaster is Redemption Roasters who supply Artistry Coffee. They began operations in Aylesbury Young Offenders Prison with the mission of reducing re-offending rates by providing young people with valuable barista and roasting skills. Today, Redemption Roasters operates in nine prisons and has an expanded roastery facility in HMP The Mount near Hemel Hempstead. The company sources high quality beans and roasts them in small batches.

One of the latest coffees from Redemption Roasters is their Ryamukona, Burundi Ethical Coffee Beans. This coffee is a carnival of colorful flavor notes, with vibrant tropical fruits and punchy citrus tones that will tantalize your taste buds. The taste is a balance of a full juicy body and the mellow sweetness of cantaloupe.

The washing station of Izuba is located in Runinya, in the Kabarore Commune of Kayanza Province in Burundi. Around the Izuba washing station are three luscious green hills – and Ryamukona is one of them. The premium asking price for this coffee helps to support local families by ensuring employees at the washing station are paid 25% higher than other local washing stations.

The preparation process for the coffee is known as ‘honey’ because the coffee once picked and sorted and having skins and pulps removed, is allowed to be dried without washing off the sticky-sweet outer layer. Less time is spent in water (an environmental benefit), and the resulting coffee is generally sweeter, has more body, and a more fruity flavor.

Each bag of Ryamukona, Burundi Ethical Coffee Beans is heat-sealed, with a one-way valve to release gases, yet prevent air intake. The packaging is now 100% recyclable, enhancing the environmentally conscious choice for coffee lovers.

What sets 4th wave coffee apart is its ethical sourcing – something Artistry Coffee is supportive of, and why we’re so pleased to work with Redemption Roasters, who are committed to making a positive difference in the world, one cup of coffee at a time.

When you purchase a bag of Ryamukona, Burundi Ethical Coffee Beans, you not only get to enjoy an exceptional cup of coffee but also support worthy causes.

So why not add this delicious coffee to your cart today and take positive steps towards a more ethical and delicious coffee-drinking experience?

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The new Beans are here!

Coffee Beans in a Coffee Scoop Photo by FOCA Stock on StockSnap

If you’re looking for coffee that not only tastes good but also has a social justice story and ethical nature, Artistry Coffee is a great choice. Artistry Coffee has just taken delivery of 4 fresh roasts of ethical coffee beans, each with its own unique taste profile and backstory.

The Wing blend is a classic balanced house filter blend with taste notes of orange creme, raspberry, and caramel. The coffee is sourced from Sidamo, Ethiopia, and Ortega, Colombia. The Asociacion Sembradores de Vida works directly with local producers in the Ortega region of Colombia to help them prioritize coffee production and produce higher quality coffee. The coffee from Sidamo, Ethiopia adds rich, full-bodied caramel flavors with vibrant summer fruits and a subtle enhancement reminiscent of jasmine and sweet citrus.

The Block is a full-bodied espresso blend with taste notes of cocoa, fudge, and baked apple. The coffee is sourced from Puno, Peru, and Mogiana, Brazil. The base of the coffee comes from Patricia’s coffee farm in Mogiana, Brazil. Patricia is the eldest daughter of a coffee farmer and broke through the male-dominated sector to run her coffee farm. In the Puno region of Peru, the multi-award-winning producer group CECOVASA helps coffee-growing families obtain fairer prices to improve coffee production and conservation in the area.

Poder Feminino are beans from Honduras highlighting the role of women in the coffee supply chain. The coffee features selected beans from many different female producers who form the Poder Feminino Aruco group – meaning the “Power of Women.” The producers are all based in the Copan Region in Western Honduras. The coffee has roasted hazelnut, butterscotch, and blackcurrant notes and is particularly good for espresso.

Ryamukona, Burundi is a carnival of colourful flavour notes with highlights of pineapple, cantaloupe, and strawberry. The coffee is sourced from Burundi, and the preparation process is known as ‘honey’ because the coffee is allowed to be dried without washing off the sticky-sweet outer layer. The resulting coffee is sweeter, has more body, and a more fruity flavor. The premium asking price for this coffee helps support local families by ensuring employees at the washing station are paid 25% higher than other local washing stations.

Redemption Roasters, the sourcer and roaster commenced operations in Aylesbury Young Offenders Prison with a mission to help reduce re-offending rates by skilling up young people to help them find jobs and reintegrate into society. The project has now expanded to 9+ prisons and has an enlarged roastery facility in HMP The Mount near Hemel Hempstead. Small batches of beans are expertly roasted, led by a Head Roaster and Assistant Roaster who also train professional roasting skills. So not only is the coffee ethically sourced, but the roasting process is socially responsible too.

Each bag of Artistry Coffee is heat-sealed, with a one-way valve to release gases, yet prevent air intake. The packaging is now 100% recyclable, making it a great choice for environmentally conscious coffee drinkers.

If you’re interested in trying out Artistry Coffee, you can take advantage of multi-buy discounts when you buy more than one bag of coffee – mix and match across the beans too. Just add to your cart and review the discount.

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What’s in a bean? (or more accurately What’s in a coffee cherry?)

Ethiopian Green Beans

Coffee with the biggest caffeine hit is likely to have come from the robusta bean type. These coffees may be more likely to have a bitter taste and perhaps heavier earthier tones. Instant coffee is more likely to have been made from robusta beans to capture more caffeine in the granules. There are also several coffee shops that favour the robusta bean.

Robusta coffee beans count for around 25 to 30% of worldwide coffee production and the tree is more hardy and grown at lower altitudes (below 1000 meters) in higher temperatures (upto 30 degrees celsius). The robusta bean may be more likely to be circular shaped and with a straight line split down the middle. It tends to be cheaper, with a less pronounced aroma but more full bodied. Robusta can vary in quality due to growing conditions and processes, and there has been a movement to upgrade the reputation of the bean with more care and attention in the growing, processing and roasting techniques. Largely though robusta beans would be more inferior coffees – but if caffeine levels are the priority then with often double the caffeine of arabica beans there are some benefits!

The higher altitude grown (often 1500 to 2000 meters asl) arabica beans are usually sweeter, more flavoursome (fruity, floral, delicate, smooth) with a more pleasing aroma. They can be oilier and darker and have a more oval elongated shape with a probable split which is more S shaped. Most likely grown at temperatures of  high teens to low twenties celsius, and with more shade (in the company of a wider biodiversity of other plants).

There are many sub-species of coffea and there is a possibility that in future increasing the genetic variation may become important to protect coffee from vulnerability to disease and climate changes.

Coffee fruits are called coffee cherries and most move through a colour cycle from green, then yellowing, to red when ripe. The seed, inside the coffee cherry is what is used to roast and create our coffee drinks. In order to ready a coffee bean for roasting it has to go through processing to remove the skin and flesh of the coffee cherry (the pulp, the parchment and the silverskin).

In fact, inside the cherry – there are normally two parts of the coffee seeds which grow with a flat face facing each other – these are the faces that feature the characteristic split in the coffee beans we see.

A coffee seed (bean) before roasting is normally a yellowish green colour and known as a green bean: once roasted they gain their brown colour.

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Where does the best coffee originate?

Redemption Roasters Coffee pack and label - stocked at Artistry Coffee

Coffee is grown in many regions around the world – but mainly with the commonality that the coffee growing regions are within the band of the Tropics either side of the Equator – between the Tropic of Cancer in the  northern hemisphere and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere.

It is not just due the proximity to the Equator and the more consistent and moist tropical climate patterns that this produces, but also to the higher elevations present in Central and Southern America, tropical African regions and South East Asia and parts of the Middle East.

Coffee grows better at higher elevations (often 1,000 to 2,000 metes above sea level) – particularly the smaller beans of the Arabica variations which have generally been prized as the better beans, though there can be quite a variation in taste, flavour profile and production technique.

A bit like wine, coffee tastes different depending upon the bean, the soil and biodiversity environment, as well as the climate and the techniques of cultivation, preparation for roasting, washing, drying, etc.

Central and South America are the powerhouses of worldwide coffee production, with Brazil the biggest of them all.

Africa (the Sidamo region of Ethiopia) is often credited as the birthplace of human coffee consumption.

South East Asia and the Middle East also boast many coffee producing nations including their largest producers Indonesia and Vietnam with flavours thought to be more earthy and bitter.

Coffee roasting is usually done more locally to consumption – and ideally within just weeks or at the most a few months from consumption. Its best to grind coffee just before you consume it, if you have your own coffee grinder (see our range of handgrinders), to allow the coffee bean to contain the flavour until you release it.

There’s lots to discover about coffee beans, their flavours and characteristics – the best way is to try some different beans and take a few notes as you drink your coffee to create your own taste notes and get an idea of what your enjoyment of coffee is driven by.

There are many smallholder farms in amongst even the biggest coffee producing nations – we stock Redemption Roasters coffees who select coffee beans with the social responsibility agenda in mind and always on the lookout for an exceptional coffee.

See our range of coffees and their stories – coffees with social responsibility.

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New coffee from Timor Leste and returning coffee from Nicaragua

El Diablo Beans at Artistry Coffee

Our coffee delivery has arrived, so we have some new beans to try.

It’s a year since we’ve had the El Diablo beans from Nicaragua – from the steep slopes of the Cerro Datanli El Diablo nature reserve. High quality coffee is grown in a rich biodiverse area by 10 smallholder producers. The taste notes are an appealing combination with fudge, orange chocolate and almond – and the aroma is enticing from the moment you open the bag. This one is best suited to espresso.

A new one to us – both as a country of origin and the bean itself is Raimutin Honey from the former East Timor – now known as Timore Leste (north of Australia and south of Indonesia in southern Asia). With taste notes including cashew, dark chocolate and nutmeg, these beans are best suited to filter.

Do take a look at our website at artistrycoffee.co.uk with the wider range of beans – and there are discounts for multi-buy purchases – which include some blends and ground coffee too.

 

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See our products in more detail…

Unboxing the Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker on the Artistry Coffee YouTube Channel

Last year, on our Artistry Coffee YouTube channel we created a number of ‘unboxing’ videos to make it easier to see some of the features of the products we stock.

We think they’re quite useful, so will we’ll tweet them out again through the week.

We stock a range of handbrew coffee equipment that help you craft delicious coffee at home with artistry!

We love the way handbrew coffee makers enable you to engage with the coffee as you make it – experiencing more of the aroma and sensing the flavours of the coffee. The handbrew coffee making process tends to create moments of coffee making which pause the world around and can take you into a sensory experience which helps you appreciate the coffee more and be a momentary welcome break from the business of the day.

We thoroughly recommend freshly grinding your coffee – perhaps with one of our hand-grinders which enable the coffee to be ground to your preferred coarseness and ensures your coffee is fresher if you’re grinding the coffee just before you’re making it.

We love making filter coffee with a pour-over coffee maker, where you’re truly in control of the process and can experiment with the speed and flow of the hot water over the coffee. It can be where the true artistry of coffee making is at its best.

If you’re needing a simple coffee making solution though, the AeroPress or the Clever Dripper are so easy to use and very reliable in producing great flavours.

Plus, have you ever fancied making Cold Brew coffee? Well there’s lots of ways you can make it – and we’ve got some great products for that.

Do take a look around our website at artistrycoffee.co.uk to see a great range of coffee making products, and speciality coffee beans too.

So follow our tweets @artistrycoffee, or visit our YouTube Channel and see the great products of which we speak!!

 

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Another couple of new coffees are in:

Originating Countries for current Artistry Coffee Beans

We have 2 new coffees just in, as well as some new roasts of coffees that we have stocked for a while.

The new Blanca Rosa Melgar is another Honduran coffee again contributing 50p from each bag to the Honduran Relief Fund – helping the areas hit by storms Eta and Iota in November 2020. The taste notes of these beans are for cherry liqueur, pomegrante and cacao – so something a little different perhaps! The coffee is sourced from a 6 hectare farm at 1250 meters in the mountainous Celaque area to the west of the country. Named after the farm owner, this coffee is farmed organically as Blanca and her husband Arturo refuse to apply chemicals to the land.

Our other new coffee is La Naranja from Peru. It originates from 3 small farms in the northern Andes region of Cajamarca, Peru – careful farming methods are used to encourage the quality and yield of the crops. This coffee is from c1800 meters and has taste notes of green apple, raisin, and clove.

At Artistry Coffee we offer multi-buy discounts when you purchase more than one bag, and we reduce the prices on older roasts too.

We have coffee beans – or ground coffee – available.

Currently there are single-origin coffees from Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Guatemala. As well as our regular Aylesbury Blend.

The story of the Redemption Roasters project underpins all our coffees.
FIND OUT MORE HERE