Coffee beans, Ground coffee and their uses
Ground Coffee and how to use it…
Coffee beans are usually roasted between 5-12 minutes, the longer the coffee beans are roasted the more intense and bitter the flavour becomes. This roasting process brings the coffee oil to the surface of the coffee beans, which is why a very dark roast has a glossy sheen.
The coffee beans are ground to create the maximum surface area for the water to extract the coffee flavour and aroma. The extent to which the coffee beans are ground affects the flavour of the coffee released into the fresh water. However a very fine ground coffee can be over extracted which will make the coffee taste a little bitter. Of course, ground espresso coffee is extra fine, almost like a ground powder, and this will make a perfect espresso coffee with an intentional hint of bitterness.
Grind size is determined by the chosen brewing method IE. what type of coffee you wish to make .Fine ground coffee is predominantly used for filter coffee brewing- a slightly coarser grind of coffee used in a filter coffee machine will result in a watery coffee due to poorer extraction by the water from the ground coffe.
Brewing ground coffee is an art all of its own .The final link in the chain from coffee plantations to your coffee cup. What a tragedy when, after finally reaching this important stage, careless brewing produces an indifferent cup of coffee. Brewed correctly, a properly prepared coffee will keep you coming back again and again.
The first rule of a perfect cup of coffee is not to boil the coffee. This damages the flavour, releasing bitter tasting chemicals. Even when using a filter pour over coffee machine, the water should always be just below boiling point.
The strength of the ground coffee depends on the fineness of the coffee grind, the quantity of water used to make the liquid coffee, the amount of time the coffee beans have been roasted and length of brewing.
Filtering, known as the pour over method, is one of the most popular and convenient ways of brewing coffee. Hot water is poured over fresh ground coffee held in a coffe filter basket. The jug of liquid fresh coffee is then kept warm for continuous serving on a hot plate. For caterers, the filter pour and serve coffee machines allow simple coffee brewing, with easy disposal of the used coffee grounds and the fresh coffee can be kept hot, but should be served within the hour to maintain the freshness of the coffee.
Ready to use ground filter coffee sachets which are portion controlled and flushed with nitrogen expelling oxygen, to maintain the freshness of the ground coffee, is one of the most popular and convenient ways of brewing coffee .These packs of ground filter coffee are usually packed in sizes from 50g up to 250g depending on the quantity of coffee required. Alternatively, one cup ground coffee bags, such as Lyons coffee bags, are ideal for less regular coffee service and do not require any coffee machinery, only hot water and a cup ,to make a fresh cup of coffee.
Cafetiere or French Press method of making fresh coffee, is a particularly stylish way of serving coffee. Fresh course ground coffee is added to the cafetiere, usually one dessert spoon per cup, and fresh hot water, not boiling, is slowly poured over the coffee grounds. The coffee in the cafetiere is left to infuse for a few minutes, and then the plunger is slowly pushed down to trap the grounds of coffee at the bottom. The fresh coffee is now ready to serve. The La Cafetiere and Bodum brands are famous for their coffee Cafetieres. Today, single origin ground coffee such as Columbian, Blue Mountain and Kenyan coffee are perfect for serving in a cafetiere and giving to customers at their table.
Espresso coffee is made from very finely ground coffee, which is almost a powder coffee, through which hot water is forced at high pressure to extract the maximum flavour. Espresso coffee originates from Italy, the result is a strong black intense coffee. Italian coffee is world famous and an espresso coffee is usually served with a small glass of chilled fresh water.
Espresso coffee is the basis for cappuccinos, lattes and many other Italian style coffees. To make a cappuccino coffee, an espresso is topped up with frothy, steam heated milk and a sprinkling of chocolate. Starbucks, Café Nero and Costa have made Italian coffee drinking popular around the world.
Ground coffee is also used in Bulk Brew coffee machines for use in banqueting, mass catering operations or any high volume catering outlets. Essentially, these are large scale pour and serve coffee machines. Large bags of ground coffee are used to brew the coffee which is kept warm in thermal or insulated urns from which fresh coffee may be served.
Peter Maxwell : A coffee lover and drinker form Birmingham. I’ll generally write about coffee, but will be persuaded to write about other things!
Article from articlesbase.com
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