Many common misconceptions exist when it comes to judging the freshness and optimum time to experience a roasted coffee at its peak of perfection. Coffee should be kept in an air-tight container (not in the fridge) and flavour should not diminish significantly until after seven to ten days. Old coffee beans may appear very oily, will have little or no aroma, or will take on a somewhat unpleasant aroma. Once beans are ground they should be used immediately. Therefore if you do not have a grinder we suggest you purchase your ground coffee in small amounts.
Never grind more coffee than you will use for immediate brewing. Once the beans are ground, the flavourful oils are exposed to the damaging air. As these oils dissipate, so will the flavour of your coffee. Once ground, coffee will begin to lose its flavour almost immediately. Different methods of brewing will require different grind consistencies. Typically, coffee used for drip brewing should be ground to a consistency similar to granulated sugar. When using a Plunger or French press, the coffee will need to be ground fine. Espresso requires an extremely fine grind...almost powder-like with a slight grittiness. The key to the proper espresso grind is the extraction time. After the proper dose and tamp, one ounce of espresso should be extracted in approximately 25 seconds. Talk to our local coffee professional for additional information.
When you are at home, you can still savour the joys of good coffee. We sell domestic espresso machines, plunger pots, stovetop espresso, as well as drip filter coffee makers. See our Equipment Section.
There are many different ways of brewing coffee. The most satisfying drink is now made in the espresso, which extracts the beverage by hot water under pressure. An espresso should take 25 - 30 seconds to make, ending up with a lovely light brown crema on top.
The Plunger is a popular and convenient method, using fine ground coffee, with hot (not boiling) water being poured over the grounds, and then slowly depressing the plunger to contain the floating grounds.
The filter method is also popular, using finely ground coffee contained in a paper filter which prevents the ground from ending up in the cup.
Did you know?
Coffee is a seed of a berry. A common myth alleges that it was originally discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi. After watching his herd of goats become frisky after eating berries from this unknown bush, he ate them himself, and found these berries gave him a renewed vigour.
For More Info Please Consult our Literature or Feel Free to Contact us on 0800 377-9899 or email sales@coffeedistributors.co.nz
An Introduction To Espresso Coffee (49 KB)
Plunger Coffee (35 KB)
Stovetop (33 KB)