How do we consume coffee?

Coffee Beans

Coffee is loved the world over and growing consumption in many places – but there is still a large variation in the amount of coffee consumed in different countries.

The Scandinavians are some of the highest per capita consumers of coffee, with Finland the leading nation for coffee drinking (three times more coffee is consumed by the average Fin than the average Brit).

In fact much of Europe is also far ahead of the UK in coffee consumption – Germans at almost double our intake, and our neighbours in Ireland drinking almost a third more coffee than us.

However Britain has definitely embraced coffee with greater passion over recent decades, with also a rising likelihood of consuming ethical coffee and brewed coffee (rather than instant). We’re approximately drinking 1 shot of coffee per person per day on average – but obviously the range from the coffee adicts to those who don’t go near it is very wide!

Around half of us prefer a milky coffee of some kind – perhaps a cappuccino, a latte or a flat white, while almost a third are more likely to favour a black coffee – an espresso, or black americano. Flavour shots and cold brew coffee or frappes are both niche favourites, with around one in twenty enjoying each of these types of coffee as their favourite variation.

It used to be that Tea was unquestionably Britain’s favourite beverage, but now it’s a much more close-run thing – with almost two thirds of people saying that they regularly enjoy coffee (the same proportion as for tea).

There has been a general trend that people start drinking coffee in their late teens and increase rapidly through their 20s in their consumption (perhaps this is related to the need to keep alert at work!) and the consumption remains high until people are in their early 60s. From then on consumption is not as strong, but still moderate – this could be related to a greater propensity to drink coffee in the working environment.

An alternative view could be that those of more senior years were more inclined towards a cup of tea and instant coffee and never fully embraced the coffee culture and variety of espresso based drinks that the younger half of the population have perhaps more enthusiastically embraced. If so, it would suggest that in future coffee consumption may rise in later years as people take their coffee drinking preferences through into retirement with them.

Science, Theatre, Artistry! Coffee making with the Hario Syphon

Hario Syphon Coffee Maker in use

There’s something of the science lab about making coffee with the Hario Syphon Coffee Maker!

You don’t need to understand the science to enjoy coffee making this way – and it’s not complicated, but it is incredible. Not understanding the science of air pressure, vacuums, and heat effects just actually makes it appear to be magic! And therefore enthralling.

The Hario Coffee Syphon is not based on new ideas at all – in fact the first syphon coffee makers are traced back to origins in the 1800s.

The thrill of seeing the water bubble up to the top chamber of the coffee maker is spellbinding. Then shortly after it will slowly seep back down into the lower chamber as brewed coffee. It really does seem like magic.

The device comes with a small alcohol burner which is the main control over the process. There’s a lower borosilicate glass chamber where you place pre-boiled water, and an upper chamber where the coffee grounds are placed (with a filter held in place by a clever weighting mechanism). The whole thing is held on a stand to hold the coffee maker above the alcohol burner. Can you see why it feels like a science lab way of making coffee?

Hario Technica Coffee Syphon 3
Hario Technica Coffee Syphon 3 available at Artistry Coffee

The water is heated further from below, and (here’s a Mickey Mouse bit of science) the expanding pressure in the lower chamber forces the coffee up through the connecting pipe into the top chamber where the coffee grounds are sitting.

This mixes the hot water with the coffee and begins the brewing process. If you can draw yourself away from being mesmerised by this coffee making device, you can help the effectiveness of the process a little at this point by stirring the water and coffee grounds in the top vessel.

The heat source now needs removing and covering, to extinguish the flame. This starts to reduce the air pressure below ( which has almost become like a vacuum – because the contents that were in the lower chamber are now in the upper chamber).

The reduced pressure below now gives the brewing coffee somewhere to go –  down!

So gradually the contents of the upper chamber will sink into the bottom glass vessel – straining through the filter in the middle section to give a clean, clear brew.

The top section then needs removing, as its work is done – and the stand that the bottom glass vessel is held by becomes the pouring handle to pour out your coffee!

See the Hario Coffee Syphon at Artistry Coffee – we stock the 3-cup version.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which give full explanation of the device, how to use it and any safety requirements.

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.

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.

 

New Arrivals at ArtistryCoffee.co.uk

There’s some lovely products to help you craft delicious coffee at home. We’ve recently widened our range of hand grinders so you can have fresh ground coffee for each cup you make. Starting with beans is always a really good idea as you’ll have fresher coffee.

There are some really precision items, compact, and some in more traditional style. Take a look at the range.

The Hario Coffee Mill Dome is a really stylish classic grinder, the Skerton a well proven roadworthy design, the Hario Mini Slim PRO is an enhanced update on an old friend, the Smart G a compact and clever new design, and the Hario Prism one of the neatest hand grinders we’ve seen.

All are adjustable – so whether you’re after a fine espresso grind or a coarse grind for cafetiere and anything in between you can experiment with a grinders settings till you get things just as you need.

Check out the full range of hand grinders we have and set yourself off on a journey to fresher coffee…!!

Continue reading “New Arrivals at ArtistryCoffee.co.uk”

The New Twist Press from Barista & Co

Twist Press

This innovative new coffee maker – The Twist Press – is a great product for coffee on the go – it is compact, easy to use, and includes a coffee storage section under the silicone lid.

Twist Press Parts
Twist Press Parts

To use, you place the lower handle on top of a mug add a paper filter, attach the coffee making chamber – then water and coffee grounds and stir. Position the upper plunger handle and allow to brew for a minute.

Then TWIST !

Pull the handles together and let the coffee come through under pressure to the mug below. You should find a clean, strong, black coffee which you can enjoy espresso style or as a base for any coffee.

The device is easy to clean and (top shelf) dishwasher safe.

See the Twist Press online at artistrycoffee.co.uk or at our Duck Farm Court location in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Twist Press
Twist Press Stacked

 

Supercharge your AeroPress with the Fellow Prismo

The Fellow Prismo AeroPress attachment

The AeroPress is a well renowned coffee maker which makes reliable good coffee very quickly. As we say it’s #QuickButNotInstant reflecting the fact that it’s far ahead of instant coffee yet doesn’t take much longer to make.

AeroPress
AeroPress coffee maker

The AeroPress is described as making espresso like coffee – recognising that it’s really good but not a pure espresso.

This new attachment device from Fellow products though can supercharge your exisiting or new AeroPress delivering more specific espresso shots.

The Fellow Prismo – attaches to the bottom of the AeroPress instead of the mesh cap. It features a pressure actuated valve which is the main bit of magic! It stays sealed until you press down – this helps facilitate the espresso shot, but also gives you other options for making cold brew or brewing with the immersion method without inverting.

The Fellow Prismo comes with a reusable fine metal filter and has a no drip seal too – giving you more control over generating an espresso shot (or the immersion method).

Press down and the coffee is forced under pressure through the central valve.

We stock genuine Fellow Prismo but do watch out for cheap imitations available by some online retail options – if you don’t see the Fellow logo (the O and bow tie mark underneath) on the product photos, it’s probably not genuine. Also the central valve and surrounding mouldings look a little different.

The genuine Fellow Prismo is available at Artistry Coffee in Duck Farm Court, Aylesbury or online.

Carranza Carrasco Peru :: Ethical Coffee Beans

Carranza Carrasco Peru coffee beans

With taste notes of peach, champagne, and juicy citrus the Carranza Carrasco coffee sounds quite different.

Grown at 1800m in the Santo Tomas area of Cutervo, Peru the small farm is in an isolated area but has a situation on a parcel of land that has ideal conditions.

Following processing the coffee is dried on tarpaulin laid out on patios.

Redemption Roasters are based in Aylesbury Young Offenders Prison with a mission to help reduce re-offending rates by skilling up the young people to help them find jobs and reintegrate into society. Small batches of beans are expertly roasted led by a Head Roaster and Assistant Roaster who train the young people in professional roasting skills and competition-level barista skills. So not only is the coffee ethically sourced but the roasting process is socially responsible too.

Finca La Senda Guatemala :: Ethical Coffee Beans

Finca La Senda beans from Guatemala

From high in the hills of Guatemala, in the volcanic Acatenago region is situated a 27 hectare coffee farm Finca La Senda.

Between 1,550m to 1,970m altitude the caturra and bourbon varieties are grown on a farm established in the 1940s.

The region climate and soils naturally promote sweet flavours, brigh acidity and good body. Experimental processes and prolongued fermentations bring in additional flavours such as the blackcurrant and black grape highlighted in the taste notes.

Redemption Roasters are based in Aylesbury Young Offenders Prison with a mission to help reduce re-offending rates by skilling up the young people to help them find jobs and reintegrate into society.  Small batches of beans are expertly roasted led by a Head Roaster and Assistant Roaster who train the young people in professional roasting skills and competition-level barista skills. So not only is the coffee ethically sourced but the roasting process is socially responsible too.

Order Finca La Senda online at artistrycoffee.co.uk or pop-in to buy a bag of beans at our Duck Farm Court location in Station Way West in Aylesbury (HP20 2SQ – near Morrisons).

A Clever way to make coffee

One of our favourite coffee making devices for many years has been the Clever Dripper from Taiwan.It utilises paper filters which make the device easier to use and helps deliver a clean taste.If you want to label the coffee making method then Immersion Brew would sum it up best. After placing your filter coffee paper in the device (and rinsing it through with hot water to be purist about coffee making) you add appx 30g of reasonably coursely ground coffee and about 500ml of hot water.Then, after stirring together, you place the lid over the device and let the grounds immerse in the water. For 3 to 4 minutes the coffee grounds brew, gradually transferring their characteristics.Once brewed, you can place the Clever Dripper onto your coffee mug and the instant release valve will fill the mug with coffee in a few seconds. Then place on another mug and fill that too.The valve will automatically shut off once lifted from a mug, making this really easy to use.Cleaning is easy too – with a simple rinse through all that is really required after you have lifted the used coffee grounds out in their filter paper. Then you can dispose
of into compost or even use the grounds specifically to tend to acid loving plants.Now the Clever Dripper is available in Blue in the standard large size. It is also available in Red in a smaller (one cup) size.
Check our artistrycoffee.co.uk website for more details.