☕ Coffee ☕: Ingredients, Roasting, Grinding, Brewing, and Tasting

[pshankstar]

Broken grinder? Not heating? Coming out too quick? Just throwing some stuff out. Ratios? I use probably right around 50g for 4 cups sometimes more or less. I prefer one good cup. Also light roast is different.

A word on that, so I use at least two tablespoons for 5 or 6 oz water. And I see coffee being made with fantastically small amounts. I think I figured it out. The taste of char is so powerful that even the slightest amount puts it there. So 7 eleven for example, I have seen them make coffee, it's what i use for four pot. My dad, father in law, raised and dedicated to char of yesteryear take a sip and taste the slightest hint of char and yum, its coffee. Srsly, I do to. Take one sip and yep, that's burnt coffee.

I have thought about measuring. Did the other day, but now thinking differently about this conversation. Strength is a variable like anything else and in my opinion can and should be adjusted for both for varietal and roast. Sometimes a weaker coffee can seem to bring out more of the delicate fruit flavors in Ethiopians for example. For espresso sure, but not convinced all brewing is one weight fits all. Thoughts?

I didn't time the coffee maker nor measure the temperature of the coffee. I've settled on 50g of coffee for the 1.3L coffee maker. What's really strange is, the coffee was grounded on 7/14 before we left for vacation for two weeks. So yeah it's "old" but I figured I would use it up instead of tossing it. Plus I haven't roasted any beans since returning this past Saturday evening. I've been making coffee with these beans the last three mornings without any issues or strange taste and then today this happens.

Could it be the beans and their age? Normally I only grind what I need when brewing coffee but what really is strange is the noticeable difference this morning vs. the last three days. I'll continue to look into this.

 

[MaxStout]

Broken grinder? Not heating? Coming out too quick? Just throwing some stuff out. Ratios? I use probably right around 50g for 4 cups sometimes more or less. I prefer one good cup. Also light roast is different.

A word on that, so I use at least two tablespoons for 5 or 6 oz water. And I see coffee being made with fantastically small amounts. I think I figured it out. The taste of char is so powerful that even the slightest amount puts it there. So 7 eleven for example, I have seen them make coffee, it's what i use for four pot. My dad, father in law, raised and dedicated to char of yesteryear take a sip and taste the slightest hint of char and yum, its coffee. Srsly, I do to. Take one sip and yep, that's burnt coffee.

I have thought about measuring. Did the other day, but now thinking differently about this conversation. Strength is a variable like anything else and in my opinion can and should be adjusted for both for varietal and roast. Sometimes a weaker coffee can seem to bring out more of the delicate fruit flavors in Ethiopians for example. For espresso sure, but not convinced all brewing is one weight fits all. Thoughts?

I have been experimenting with ratios a bit. Varying how many TBs to put in a 1L French press. Usually 6 rounded TBs works well. I also use a reuse insert for a Keurig when all I want is 1 cup. The insert has 2 fill lines for how much coffee to put in, covering 8 and 12oz. But I play around with those metrics to see what happens. Some coffees I can fill the insert for 8oz and get a flavorful 12oz cup--very efficient. Other coffees I need to fill to the 12oz line just to squeak out a decent 8oz pour. In short, there's no rhyme or reason. If I make an 8 oz cup and it's weak, next one gets more coffee. Good thing I have lots of coffee to experiment with.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Strange thing this morning. I roasted some coffee a few weeks ago and ground it up before vacation so we would have some coffee for two weeks. There was some coffee left so I have been using it since Sunday back home without any ill affects. This morning I brewed a pot of coffee like I normally do except it was at 4am. Took a mug of it with me while driving my in-laws to the airport and enjoyed it.

I don't know anything about your brewer, but did you happen to remove the carafe and pour your mug while the coffee maker was still brewing? I mention this because the first drippings are stronger, thus leaving behind slightly weaker coffee.

Separate but related, 50 grams for 1.3 L of water is really weak, in my opinion. That's a ratio of about 26:1. I personally brew at 16:1; lots of cafes are around 15:1-17:1. Just something else to consider, though I understand nothing would have changed from your previous routines.

 

[applescrap]

I don't know anything about your brewer, but did you happen to remove the carafe and pour your mug while the coffee maker was still brewing? I mention this because the first drippings are stronger, thus leaving behind slightly weaker coffee.

Separate but related, 50 grams for 1.3 L of water is really weak, in my opinion. That's a ratio of about 26:1. I personally brew at 16:1; lots of cafes are around 15:1-17:1. Just something else to consider, though I understand nothing would have changed from your previous routines.

Dont know how this is calculated but based on these numbers I brew closer to 13, 14, or 15 to 1.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Dont know how this is calculated but based on these numbers I brew closer to 13, 14, or 15 to 1.

If you weigh your grinds and your brew water, it's just a matter of dividing the amount of brew water by the amount of coffee.

For instance, I use 736 grams of water and 46 grams of coffee. This is 16:1 ratio. It also happens to be the optimal amount of coffee in my mug which doesn't spill while walking to the train.

Note: When you show up at peoples' houses with a scale to weigh your pour over, they will think you have other problems.

 

[applescrap]

If you weigh your grinds and your brew water, it's just a matter of dividing the amount of brew water by the amount of coffee.

For instance, I use 736 grams of water and 46 grams of coffee. This is 16:1 ratio. It also happens to be the optimal amount of coffee in my mug which doesn't spill while walking to the train.

Note: When you show up at peoples' houses with a scale to weigh your pour over, they will think you have other problems.

Haha, no doubt. Using a converter 736 grams of water is approximately 26 or so ounces of water. So between 4 and 5 cups depending on 5 vs 6 oz cups. And with 46 grams of coffee, I would venture that we brew really similar ratios. I will go stronger or weaker than that depending on varietal and roast.

I have only done two cup pour overs,maybe that has been my problem. Need to brew a larger batch maybe.

 

[MaxStout]

I weighed the ground coffee in a level scoop (I think it's 1 Tbs), it's around 9g. So, at 16:1 ratio, about one level scoop for every 5 oz. water. Sounds about right, as I put 2 level scoops in the Keurig adapter to dispense 10oz coffee. Coffee densities will vary, but on most mornings close enough for the girls I date. Now I can try some different ratios and see how that impacts flavor.

 

[Inkleg]

I'm usually 65 grams coffee to 1000-1100 mL of water, puts me close to the 16-1 range.

 

[applescrap]

I weighed the ground coffee in a level scoop (I think it's 1 Tbs), it's around 9g. So, at 16:1 ratio, about one level scoop for every 5 oz. water. Sounds about right, as I put 2 level scoops in the Keurig adapter to dispense 10oz coffee. Coffee densities will vary, but on most mornings close enough for the girls I date. Now I can try some different ratios and see how that impacts flavor.

So I use near two tbl spoons per k cup for 6oz on Keurig or 5 oz. For me a keurig on small for two tbl. Near a quarter cup, 4 tbl per 2 cups in pot. Near half cup, 8 tbl, for 4 - 5 or 6 oz cups. I am using a little less these days, but it's clear what I prefer. In the words of Abe Lincoln, if this is coffee, bring me tea, if its tea, bring me coffee.

 

[pshankstar]

Quick update. I upped the coffee grounds (same Beans from vacation) to 70g which should be around 18.5 : 1 ratio. The coffee tastes better to me but I’ll have to see what my wife thinks when she has a cup later this morning.
I went back and looked at the manual last night for the Bonavita and they recommend 65g for the full 1300 which seems low but higher than what I was doing. Anyhow we shall see what the Mrs thinks later this morning.

UPDATE: My wife says it’s better this morning but not as good. I’m starting to wonder if we are experiencing beans that are 18 days old since they were ground dropping their flavor and aroma. I’ll need to roast more beans today to have them ready for the weekend.

 

[Br3w4u]

@MaxStout I blended the Colombian and pea berry at 50/50, roasted to about city+, and let it rest for 2 days. Man that is the smoothest coffee . Thanks again!

 

[MaxStout]

@MaxStout I blended the Colombian and pea berry at 50/50, roasted to about city+, and let it rest for 2 days. Man that is the smoothest coffee . Thanks again!

Glad you like it!

I roasted that LF Red Honey Bourbon about full city or so. Just had a few cups so far, very nice. Haven't tried pulling espresso with it yet.

 

[Kealia]

Haven't posted in a bit, but still playing around with different roasts to pull a clean shot of espresso.
Finally got some Ethiopian nailed that makes a smooth, tasty pull with zero bitterness - woo hoo!
Also drinking some Columbian decaf and using that for cappuccino.

Happy Friday, all.

 

[Br3w4u]

Glad you like it!

I roasted that LF Red Honey Bourbon about full city or so. Just had a few cups so far, very nice. Haven't tried pulling espresso with it yet.

I did mine around city. If you go that light it takes a long rest. Very acidic. Next time I will go darker.

 

[Kealia]

Side note on my espresso/cappuccino experiences......some people can make pretty leaves, trees and other designs when they add the milk/cream.
Me?......well what do YOU see?!?!

 

[Br3w4u]

It’s a schooner!

 

[TallDan]

It’s a schooner!

You dumb bastard, that’s not a schooner, it’s a sailboat!

 

[ba-brewer]

Side note on my espresso/cappuccino experiences......some people can make pretty leaves, trees and other designs when they add the milk/cream.
Me?......well what do YOU see?!?!
View attachment 638430

A butterfly after hitching a ride on the windshield

 

[MaxStout]

I dunno, doc. Maybe I'm crazy?

 

[Kealia]

You dumb bastard, that’s not a schooner, it’s a sailboat!

Well played!

 

[Kealia]

Oh, and I see...shall we say....something phallic, albeit a bit disproportioned (trying to be family-friendly here).
[emoji1]

 

[Br3w4u]

Oh, and I see...shall we say....something phallic, albeit a bit disproportioned (trying to be family-friendly here).
[emoji1]

Disproportionate? Looks familiar to me . It’s just had a few too many!

 

[Br3w4u]

Side note on my espresso/cappuccino experiences......some people can make pretty leaves, trees and other designs when they add the milk/cream.
Me?......well what do YOU see?!?!
View attachment 638430

Now try for the opposite part! If you can do that then you are a latte artist!

 

[Ruint]

Sitting here waiting on pre-heat to finish....got the Crown in...lol. Took a dinner break in between the previous roast of a different Ethiopia. I got it from SM, it is the Guji Shakiso Hambela Dabaye, and tasting the beans, promises to be a fairly peachy cup!!! Psyched for that!!!

 

[Inkleg]

Banko from @jammin arrived today!

Giving Half Pint my #1 chaff licker some loving while roasting some. Looking forward to trying this.
Thanks brother!

 

[Ruint]

that is the roasted Crown...Banko Gotiti Bedhato Jibicho.

 

[applescrap]

Nice looking roasts inkleg and ruint. Cant wait to try it.

 

[Kealia]

I'm roasting some Banko this morning! Woo hoo!
I'm doing two test roasts of 1/4lb each. One to Full City, one to Full City +.
The wife tends to like a bit darker roasts but she still gets the nuances of the origin flavor, so we'll see which she prefers (blind test).

 

[jammin]

My first roast had a bit too much momentum at the start & lagged heading towards 1C. Overall the times/temps look OK & I’m excited to try it tomorrow.

Been drinking the Hangadhi this week & dang that stuff is good.


Edit: Made an 8oz Aeropress & even with less than 24hrs rest you can tell its good coffee. Very nice sweetness, just enough acidity & good berry content. Im looking forward to seeing how cleans up come Mon/Tues.
Here's the curve - next roast ill charge 5* lower (360* vs 365*) and postpone decreasing gas heading to 1C. Id like to see a shorter time% in browning & a more vigorous 1C.

 

[Ruint]

Thanks for adding more info on that @jammin! I am thinking that I'll do a lower preheat on my next roast. I preheated hotter than what I wanted due to a reboot on my laptop resetting my controls, back to a level that I had set for a previous roast, and I didn't catch it before dropping the beans. Good thing it was only 500 grams! LoL!! I did a taste test on it this afternoon and it was still impressive and smooth. Very drinkable, and believing it will be phenomenal with the correct roast! Might actually see how this roast does for espresso...