Too Much Coffee Forum Index

Post new topic   Reply to topic
View previous topic Printable version Log in to check your private messages View next topic
Author Message
fiendOffline
Post subject: How coffee works  PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 03:44 AM



Joined: Jul 14, 2005
Posts: 195
Location: Auckland, NZ
Status: Offline
I've been thinking for a while of creating a table with all the common coffee variables, and what changing them means. If I can get something that works, I'll use it as part of the marketing material for selling Aeropresses online in NZ. (Does that mean that I'm breaking the forums rules by posting it here Confused ) But regardless of that, it would be useful to have a one-pager that laid it all out for the simple folk, so that we can spend less time repeating ourselves.

Let me know what you think. It is aimed at non-technical coffee people, avoiding some of the technical terms, and I will probably dumb it down some more. Are there things I've missed? (tamping is too espresso-specific) Am I incorrect in my generalisations?

Also, this is a draft, so I will be changing the layout to make better use of space once the copy is sorted.



howitworks_sm.JPG
 Description:
Initial draft
 Filesize:  74.27 KB
 Viewed:  5809 Time(s)

howitworks_sm.JPG



_________________
Hot air gun roaster, Mazzer Mini E, La Pavoni Europiccola, Aeropress
http://lapavoni.info/
http://otherwiseitwouldbequiet.blogspot.com/
 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Back to top
zixOffline
Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 06:03 AM



Joined: Mar 24, 2004
Posts: 1312
Location: Partille/Gφteborg, Sweden
Status: Offline
If you are going to dumb it down, do it carefully, because it is very good now. Possibly, all those flavour compounds and non-soluble compounds a.s.o. make it look a bit nerdy.
Maybe you could complete the "pressure" part with the different extraction methods and put them roughly where they belong on that scale. Perhaps people don't think of moka as being on the highish pressure side, as opposed to drip, for example.

_________________
‹• Bezzera B3000AL • Cona C size • Aeropress • Vev moka • Bialetti Brikka • Cezve • Handpresso Wild • Bacchi Espresso • Arrarex Caravel •
• Anfim KS Self • broken Cimbali Max • OE Pharos •
• oven • hot air gun • Behmor •›
 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website ICQ Number 
Reply with quote Back to top
dliefbroerOffline
Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 06:21 AM



Joined: May 03, 2006
Posts: 230
Location: Tiel, The Netherlands
Status: Offline
I'm not too sure about the extraction time scale. Short extractions are tasteless and long extractions extract undesirable compounds. I think it needs an optimal in the middle.

_________________
ECM Giotto Classic - Mazzer Mini E - Gene Cafe - Bodum French Press - Bialetti 1 cup Moka Pot - Lava Deluxe
 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Back to top
OlingsOffline
Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 08:12 AM



Joined: Jan 06, 2005
Posts: 371
Location: Oslo, Norway
Status: Offline
I agree with dliefbroer, and would add that reading the table like it looks now some people would probably read it as though press pot would be bitter with undesirable compounds as it is at the end of the extraction scale.

Most people wouldn't make that connection but as the table is meant for even the most non-technical out there, there are bound to be misunderstandings.

Apart from this I think it's really good indeed! Easily read and basic, but with enough information to make things a bit clearer for a lot of people.

Would a scale regarding coffee-freshness be too much info?


Ola

_________________
La Marzocco GS3, Compak K10, Dualit grinder, Turkish coffee maker (Ibrik) and grinder, Eva Solo coffee maker, French press, Aeropress.
 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Back to top
fiendOffline
Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 09:18 AM



Joined: Jul 14, 2005
Posts: 195
Location: Auckland, NZ
Status: Offline
I was meaning to put freshness on, but forgot. That will be in draft 2.

I was also trying to make the variables method-independent, but your comments are making me think that I need to integrate them somehow. The problem is that most methods of brewing can take a bit of variability (eg. an overdosed coarse-ground espresso), and I want something that provides a general rule of thumb that is as method independent as possible.

Rhys

_________________
Hot air gun roaster, Mazzer Mini E, La Pavoni Europiccola, Aeropress
http://lapavoni.info/
http://otherwiseitwouldbequiet.blogspot.com/
 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Back to top
dliefbroerOffline
Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 09:48 AM



Joined: May 03, 2006
Posts: 230
Location: Tiel, The Netherlands
Status: Offline
For every method there's an optimum range for all the aspects. You could put that in as a "disclaimer". Or make a short list for every method.

It's a great overview, but it's difficult to make a very general as well as useable for marketing purposes (sell an Aeropress). I think you should make this into some freely available information, with some cheatsheets. When they see what a nice guy you are for offering this information, they'll buy anything you throw at 'em Smile

_________________
ECM Giotto Classic - Mazzer Mini E - Gene Cafe - Bodum French Press - Bialetti 1 cup Moka Pot - Lava Deluxe
 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Back to top
BazBeanOffline
Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 11:11 AM



Joined: Sep 25, 2005
Posts: 1635
Location: Scarborough UK
Status: Offline
commenting on the simplicity I think the idea is fantastic. The major benefit IMHO is that it introduces the newbie to the issues of complexicity of making very good coffee and the variables you can control to produce it, rather then the usual conception of it being"ground up burnt dark stuff you slam hot water on" ..... I think as a one page addition to a Aeropress its a cracking idea especially as it will stimulate thought.

_________________
Knowledge can be absorbed, but passion cannot be taught !

La Spaziale S5,
La Spaziale EK 2 Group
k30 mahlkonig
Mazzer Jolly, Futurmat , MC 5 Iberital,
Brasilia RR, Macap Deli Grinder.
A growing Tamper collection
(Plus my own playground for the above- A Shop)
 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Back to top
Bertie_DoeOffline
Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 11:12 AM



Joined: Apr 28, 2005
Posts: 1935
Location: Cornwall
Status: Offline
fiend wrote
Quote:

I'll use it as part of the marketing material for selling Aeropresses online in NZ.


The AP's are quite low priced and with shipping costs, you won't get rich selling selling em in NZ. However, it's a great chart and I agree, it's a good idea to add freshness in Draft 2.
QC

_________________
Isomacs Zaffiro and SuperGiada
Hottop and Precision roasters
ECM/Pasquini K2 and Aerolatte grinders
Dental vibrator
dbl/16g/44ml
 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Back to top
phil2spillOffline
Post subject:   PostPosted: Oct 18, 2006 - 11:09 PM



Joined: May 31, 2006
Posts: 687
Location: Fleet, England
Status: Offline
It's a great idea; haven't seen anything similar to that, other than perhaps Ken Davids' roast characteristics guide, which is only one aspect. Certainly would be useful for newcomers to the subject, rather than having to find everything out piecemeal, it gives an overview which is an ideal starting point.

A couple of minor comments: For the temperature scale, you could safely say low temp = sour ? Maybe give the optimal range in °C ? (Although maybe you're intentionally avoiding specifics.) Something that sounded slightly odd to me is where under the grind range where you refer to methods that 'act' slowly etc. Could you say methods that 'brew' slowly/quickly? I realise that's not strictly true for espresso but it's a bit more descriptive.

Anyway, if that was on your website, I guess it could become a resource that gets recognition and links from elsewhere, boosting your profile and google rank . . . at least until someone like 'Randy G' claims to have invented it Wink G'luck

(Is NZ in Europe?) Wink

_________________
Ground suitable for all coffee makers
 
 View user's profile Send private message  
Reply with quote Back to top
fiendOffline
Post subject: Thanks for the suggestions  PostPosted: Oct 19, 2006 - 11:27 AM



Joined: Jul 14, 2005
Posts: 195
Location: Auckland, NZ
Status: Offline
Quote:
(Is NZ in Europe?)


No, but there are probably better reasons for including it than some other countries that have come up for consideration recently Wink

Quote:
The AP's are quite low priced and with shipping costs, you won't get rich selling selling em in NZ.


You are so right there. Actually it's part of a wider retail operation, so this isn't the only thing we sell. It's something I've had a small part in for quite a while, and now that I'm back in NZ I'm trying to introduce some coffee products.

We have a holiday weekend coming up, so it will be late next week before I have another draft. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Rhys

[/quote]

_________________
Hot air gun roaster, Mazzer Mini E, La Pavoni Europiccola, Aeropress
http://lapavoni.info/
http://otherwiseitwouldbequiet.blogspot.com/
 
 View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Back to top
Display posts from previous:     
Jump to:  
All times are GMT
Post new topic   Reply to topic
View previous topic Printable version Log in to check your private messages View next topic
Powered by PNphpBB2 © 2003-2007 The PNphpBB Group
Credits