Monthly Archives: September 2021
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Posted: September 29, 2021Categories: Coffee 101
Read more »You drink it every day, but do you know what goes on behind the scenes in the coffee industry?
It’s International Coffee Day on 1 October, and there’s no better time to celebrate the “silent” heroes of the coffee world who work hard to ensure the production of your favourite brew is made possible.
Here’s a look at who’s who.
The Coffee Farmers
Coffee farmers are the folks responsible for the quality and consistent supply of coffee cherries. They constitute a significant part of the entire supply chain, and without their productivity and the effectiveness of their farming practices, the industry wouldn’t exist in the first place.
The process of farming coffee requires meticulousness and careful supervision, and increasingly, farmers are turning to new technologies to support production.
Mill Workers
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Posted: September 22, 2021Categories: The Bean
Read more »You may know India as a tea-drinking nation, but you’ll be amazed to find out about the country’s rich history when it comes to coffee. The drink’s origin dates back to 1600 AD when Baba Budan, a legendary merchant and 16th-century Sufi, went to Mecca on a pilgrimage and smuggled seven coffee beans from Yemen into Mysore, India. Upon arriving in Mysore, Baba Budan planted the seeds in Chandragiri – a hilly region located in the Indian state of Karnataka. It seems like a strange tale, but that’s how India’s coffee culture was born.
Where and How It’s Grown
[caption id="attachment_19254" align="alignnone" width="2560"]
India’s coffee farms are pretty small; most are less than 10 acres in size. Photo from Rodrigo Flores.[/caption] Today, many aren’t aware that India is one of the world’s largest coffee producers. Ranked sixth internationally, India accounts for more than four per cent of global coffee production. Coffee farms are found in eight regions, mainly in the southern states. Wet-processed or washed specialty coffees are grown in mountainous areas, such as Baba Budan (yes, Chandragiri became known as Baba Budan thanks to the incredible origin story), Nilgiris, and Shevaroys. Robusta is a lot more common than Arabica (it’s 30 per cent v
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Posted: September 15, 2021Categories: Coffee 101
Read more »While visiting your favourite cafe to enjoy that morning cuppa is great, you have to admit there’s something magical about not having to step out of your house for a quality cup of coffee.
Be your own barista and follow these eight amazing tips and hacks for the perfect brew right in the comfort of your own home.
1. Buy Whole Beans, Not Pre-ground
It may not seem like a big thing, but you can really taste the difference between pre-ground coffee and whole-bean coffee.
Having a whole-bean coffee means you’re getting the freshest cup possible. If you think about it, it makes sense, too: from seed to plant, coffee beans go through a long process. Once the bean is ground up, it starts to age at a rapid pace.
Whole-bean coffee is generally fresher, has better flavour, and smells a whole lot more impressive.
2. Stick to the Good Stuff
This tip seems self-explanatory, but it’s important to be selective and choose quality beans.
If you’re unsure where one would go for quality beans, look to specialty coffee shops, which are more likely to have beans that aren’t over-roasted. If you’re shopping for beans online, don’t bulk buy, and check for a ‘roasted on’ date and not a ‘best by’ date.
When looking at the roast date, search for something that’s been roasted anywhere from seven to 21 days from the said roasted date. Any coffee in this time frame will more or less be as fresh as it can possibly be.
3. Arabica vs Robusta, Light Roasts vs Dark Roasts
