coffee myths
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Posted: June 09, 2021Categories: Coffee 101
Read more »How much do you really know about your favourite beverage? There are many myths that surround coffee and you’ll be surprised to know that what you may believe as ‘truths’ may well be just ‘fake news’. Here are five common myths about coffee and the truths behind them.
Coffee is Dehydrating
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Posted: May 12, 2021Categories: Coffee 101
Read more »There is no surprise why coffee is fast becoming one of the most popular beverages around the world. But have you ever wondered — how healthy is coffee? For avid coffee lovers, you’ll be pleased to know that coffee consumption and health are closely linked.
In fact, one cup of coffee per day can make you a better athlete. Moreover, studies have shown coffee to be associated with lowering the risks of several types of cancers, and even neurodegenerative conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s.
We’ve rounded up 6 easy ways to make your next coffee drinking experience a healthier one.
Avoid Artificial Creamer or Sweeteners
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Posted: March 17, 2021Categories: The Tools
Read more »Your daily caffeine fix can add up to be an expensive habit, especially if you’ve been getting yours from your favourite café. Perhaps you’ve considered getting a coffee machine at home but are still on the fence about it. We bust four common myths about owning and using a coffee machine.
Myth 1: A Coffee Machine Is More Expensive than Buying Coffee
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Your daily coffee run costs can add up before you know it. Photo from Ben Yang.[/caption] Truth: Some automatic coffee machines may come with heavy price tags but have you ever thought about how much you are really spending per year if you’ve been buying your daily coffee from a café? On average, a regular cup of coffee from your favourite joint can cost you around SGD$4.50/RM10. Multiply that by two coffees a day for every day of the year and you would have spent SGD$3,285/RM7300 on just coffee alone! If cost is a concern, you’ll be happy to know that there are options for every type of budget. More importantly, price isn’t a measure of performance and quality. On top of that, a good quality machine should last you about five to eight years. If you add up the cost of the machine (and how long it will last), coffee beans, milk (if you drink yours white), and maintenance per year, it will still be less than buying your coffee from a café daily. Myth 2: It Will Be Too Complicated to Operate
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Posted: November 25, 2020Categories: The Bean
Read more »The common conception of coffee is that of a dark, bitter, and caffeinated beverage that is derived from brown beans. Here’s the truth - technically, coffee beans aren’t beans. They are seeds from a fruit. So, grab a cup of your favourite brew as we pick out some rich and tasty facts about the coffee cherry.
1. Did you know that coffee is a fruit?
Surprise, surprise! You may or may not have known that coffee grows on a tree, and the beans are in fact, the pit of a fruit. That fruit largely resembles a cherry, which gives it its name - coffee cherry.2. The anatomy of a coffee cherry
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A typical coffee cherry contains two seeds that become coffee beans once roasted. Photo from Blue Coffee Box.[/caption] The cherry’s exterior is hard and waxy, with a juicy flesh lining the interior. Underneath that lining lies the pulp, which resembles the pulps of an orange. It has a slimy texture but contains complex sugars that provide sustenance for the cherry. Once you open up the pulp, you will find two seeds that are protected by a paper-like layer, which will come off during processing. Once the seeds are roasted, they will transform into the brown coffee beans that we are all familiar with. 3. How is a coffee tree planted?
As long as the bean is not processed, it can be planted to grow into a coffee tree. There are four main coffee bean-growing regions around the world: Central America, South America, Africa and Indonesia. Known as the Coffee Belt, these regions share a tropical climate and have rich environments that support the growth of co -
Posted: April 01, 2020Categories: The Tools
Read more »For some coffee drinkers, all espresso machines are the same: they make espresso. But for the more discerning coffee lover, this isn't the case, particularly those who brew their own coffee at home. In fact, there are a few types of espresso makers, each producing varying qualities of espresso. One of the biggest differences between espresso machines is whether or not it is pump-driven, as espresso is made by pushing hot water through ground coffee. There are three main types of espresso machine: lever-driven, steam-driven and pump-driven. For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on steam-driven and pump-driven machines, as they are the most common types found on the market today.
Firstly – what makes a good espresso?
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Observe the frothy thickness of the crema. Photo from Blake Richard Verdoorn[/caption] How you make your espresso has a significant impact on the quality of your brew, especially the type of espresso machine you use. One of the ways to measure your espresso’s quality is through the crema produced – you should aim to get crema that is foamy and golden. But do note that some coffee beans contain less oil, which results in less crema. Taste-wise, a well-pulled espresso will have the perfect combination of bitterness, sweetness and acidity.
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Posted: March 25, 2020Categories: The Bean
Read more »So, you’ve treated yourself to a fresh bag of coffee beans. How do you care for the coffee beans to make sure your morning java stays fresh for as long as possible? Better care of coffee beans makes better-tasting coffee ― and that’s something all of us would appreciate in the morning to boost our energy for the day ahead. For the best cup of coffee, it comes down to knowing the different sizes of grind, how you properly store your beans, and what you should do to maximise the freshness and flavour. Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your caffeine hit. Read on to find out the best way to keep your coffee fresh.
Buy just the right amount
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The best way to ensure the freshness of your coffee is to buy less, but more frequently. Photo from Victor Munoz[/caption] The best way to enjoy your coffee is when it’s fresh. Your coffee beans begin to lose freshness almost immediately after roasting. The best way to ensure the freshness of your coffee is to buy less, enough for one or two weeks, but more frequently. The life span of your roasted coffee beans is approximately 4 to 5 weeks. Coffee beans older than that will not make you sick, but it will never taste as good as when it’s fresh. Here's more reasons why you should care about your coffee bean's roasting date. Our Kimbo Espresso Coffee Beans 100% Arab
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Posted: January 08, 2020Categories: Coffee 101
Read more »You’ve seen it emblazoned on bags of coffee beans and touted on cafe menus everywhere: the words “single origin”. But what does it mean and what’s the big deal, really? Is it just another meaningless marketing buzzword?
If you’ve ever wondered what single origin coffee is and why it matters, sit back, relax (preferably with a freshly-brewed cuppa) and read on.
What is “single origin”?
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Posted: December 18, 2019Categories: Coffee 101
Read more »To a coffee lover, the practice of starting the day with a strong brew is ingrained into our morning routine. Imagine the joy and anticipation of taking that first sip out of an aromatic cup…only for it to be ruined by a wave of lingering bitterness.
Contrary to popular belief, bitterness isn’t caused by the strength of the coffee. To put it into perspective, a Kopi-Gao shouldn’t be tasting any more bitter than a standard Kopi. Neither is it true that darker coffee is more bitter.
No one can afford to start their mornings on a bitter note (figuratively and literally), so go through this list to find out what’s causing the bitterness in your coffee and how to fix it the next time you prepare a cup for yourself.
Grind Size
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Posted: September 04, 2019Categories: Coffee 101
Read more »How hard can it be to make a cup of coffee? Just pour hot water over coffee powder, right?
Well sure, you can do that… but there’s so much more to making that cup of perfection. With the right coffee beans and simple equipment, your daily cuppa is instantly elevated. Trust us – it’s worth putting in that extra 5 or so minutes for a fresh brew.
Here are the basics of coffee chemistry that will make you an expert in home brewing. This might just be the start of your home barista adventure.
Use Fresh Coffee Beans
