Monthly Archives: December 2020
-
Posted: December 30, 2020Categories: The Tools
Read more »Ring in the new year with these coffee gadgets to help you elevate your coffee experience. Whether you drink your coffee on-the-go or at home, with frothed milk or cold-brewed, here are six accessories to help you get the best out of your cuppa.
Travel French Press
[caption id="attachment_11211" align="alignnone" width="811"]
Save time in the mornings with this on-the-go French press. Photo from Bodum on Amazon.[/caption] This one’s perfect if you love French press coffee but always in a rush and have no time to make it before heading out. This travel press works just like a regular French press with added conveniences. It allows you to brew your coffee and drink from it, scoring well in terms of portability as it cuts the need to bring an extra mug. Thinking of getting a reusable coffee cup? Here are some things to consider before deciding on one. It’s easy to use too, simply add your coffee grounds, pour the hot water in, give it a stir and close the lid with the plunger up. Once it’s time, just push the plunger down and enjoy your coffee wherever you are — in the car, walking the dog or at the office. Shop for the Bodum Travel Press Coffee Maker available in stainless steel or plastic double wall, from USD37. Milk Frothing Thermometer
[caption id="attachment_11202" align="alignnone" width="1542"] -
Posted: December 23, 2020Categories: The Tools
Read more »Cups come in a wide variety of shapes, colours, sizes, and materials. Most of us have a go-to cup for our homes and offices - but did you know that your choice of cup affects the taste of coffee? Due to the sheer variety of options, we are here to help you choose the right coffee cup. In this article, we list out four deciding factors to assist your selection.
Shape and Size
If you are a frequent café-goer, you would have probably noticed that espresso shots are served in a short and narrow cup. A latte or cappuccino, on the other hand, is served in a larger and wider cup. Most of us might not stop to think why these coffee beverages are served in different cups - but it actually matters. Imagine being served a shot of espresso in a tall glass. By the time it reaches your lips, it would be cold and bitter-tasting. That is why for espressos, a narrow cup helps us to focus on its aroma and flavour in a small space. On the other hand, a wider shape allows for a more accentuated aroma that lattes and cappuccinos bring. As these beverages are served with milk and foam, the larger surface area allows heated milk and espresso to combine smoothly without creating bubbles. Here’s where you can get the right cup for your latte, -
Posted: December 16, 2020Categories: Coffee 101
Read more »Crafting a perfect cup of coffee at home is actually easier than it seems. Nonetheless, there are some common mistakes that we can avoid, in order to improve and refine our coffee-making skills.
Let’s learn the fundamentals of brewing while addressing 11 of the most common mistakes that homebrewers make.
1. Not Using Fresh Coffee Beans and Grounds
Most of us are guilty of using coffee beans that have been hanging about in our kitchen cupboard for several months. In fact, the shelf life of coffee beans is a mere 4-5 weeks.
Our pro-tip is to purchase small bags of coffee beans each time, and stay away from store-bought beans. These beans often have an expiry date of 12-24 months, which is way past their shelf life.
For greater convenience, consider signing up for a coffee subscription service which delivers freshly roasted beans to your doorstep at your preferred frequency.
2. Pre-grinding Coffee
-
Posted: December 09, 2020Categories: The Bean
Read more »Entering the traditional coffee shops of Singapore and Malaysia is like stepping back in time to the 1980s. They are more than just a place to grab a quick kopi (coffee) or a serving of soft boiled eggs – they are a second home for many local folks. But what’s so special about these hangouts, such that locals living in California queued an hour for a cup of kopi after Singapore’s oldest café, Killiney Kopitiam, recently opened its first outlet in the United States? Let us solve that mystery by exploring the rich and fascinating heritage of the local coffee scene.
The History of Kopitiam
In the late 1800s, Chinese immigrants from Hainan reached our nations’ shores. Some took up jobs in the service and hospitality sectors, often working for wealthy British and other European households. Post World War II, the departure of their Western employers forced the Hainanese to seek other means of earning a living. Many turned to setting up their own coffee shops, which are affectionately known as “kopitiam” today.The Appeal of Kopitiam
[caption id="attachment_10789" align="alignnone" width="2048"]
A blast from the past: the appeal of kopitiam lies in its old-school decor. Photo from sharngst.[/caption] It’s the full-sensory experience at a kopitiam that makes its appeal so unique. Marble-top tables, old-fashioned mugs, overhead fans, and floor tiles that look right out of our grandmother’s kitchen. Some might call it old-school or run-down, but to a local, these are the essential aesthetics that mark out a genuine kopitiam. “Kopi C! Kopi Siew Dai! Kopi Gao!” The sounds and s
-
Posted: December 02, 2020Categories: The Tools
Read more »From the trusty automatic coffee machine to hands-on methods such as the French press, there are many trendy ways to brew coffee at home. But coffee drinkers know that a drip coffee maker is a classic when it comes to coffee brewing: it produces robust, flavour-intensive coffee in large quantities. If instant coffee is not your go-to beverage, but you don’t want to be tamping and frothing, a drip coffee maker is a simple and affordable option. Let’s dive deeper into what a drip coffee maker is and how to perfect that cup of coffee.
What is a Drip Coffee Maker and Why You Should Get It
Drip brewing lends itself well to highlighting the flavour complexity of a coffee. As it relies on gravity to extract coffee from the coffee grounds, the hot water extracts coffee oils and solubles that accentuate delicate taste notes and aromas. Many confuse pour-overs with drip coffee as they share the same mechanics. However, with drip coffee makers, you don’t have to dedicate time attending to your brew. Plus, you get to enjoy the convenience and proficiency of a drip coffee maker’s technology that enhances the taste of your coffee. Making coffee with a drip coffee maker is a rewarding experience without the hassle. Just pour water into the reservoir, fill up the coffee grounds, press a button, then let the machine work its magic. The end result? A delicious cup (or rather, cups) of coffee that starts your day on a perfect note.Use Fresh Coffee Grounds
[caption id="attachment_10773" align="alignnone" width="1999"]
Use freshly-ground beans to ensure a more flavourful and aromatic b
