Despite my love to coffee, in its various forms and styles (latte, espresso, mocha, Turkish coffee, Arabic coffee etc) I feel that I'm a complete beginner when it comes to coffee culture, how to roast coffee, how tobgrind it, and even how brew it. I'm an absolute drinker I guess !

So I'm starting this coffee 101 thread to add ideas, concepts, urls, etc about coffee. And for the best input to te thread (until Sunday)  I'm offering a free (small) bag of Arabic coffee (lightly roasted and mixed with cardamom)  :)

So who like to start ?

Where to start? Hmm. I only know about the pour over method and have been working on my technique for a couple years now.

Many people will disagree but pourover often wins blind taste tests. And America's test kitchen found it preferable. I personally prefer it over other methods for home brewing. But syphons, Brewt and Aeropress are excellent if brewed by a talented barista.

I can provide tips on the pour over method if you want. Or we can talk beans!

Let's talk beans!  What's your favorite?

You guys jumped to level 302 right away :) which awesome, but take it easy on me!

So let's star with the coffee alphabet spry of thing, like list of type of beans, methods of brewing . Let's start with some list :) and then we can move to words, sentences, and tricky questions :)

Most beans (they're actually fruit) are from the Arabica pod. The other type of pod is Robusta which is not worth mentioning ever again. To make it simpler you can break it down to two different regions. Africa and South/Central America.

I think of African beans as bright and refreshing. They can be cleaner and lighter. Often fruitier. Notes of blueberry or citrus like orange or lemon or even grape. I think that's why people describe them as sour but it's more accurate to think of them as more acidic. But they often finish different. They may finish with a more spicy taste. Like nutmeg, orange zest. They can be more complex. (Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania)

I think of South & Central American beans as more robust. Sweeter & creamier. Notes of cinnamon, cocoa, nuts (almond or peanut) or vanilla. They are heavier and are sometimes roasted a bit longer. I think of them as richer and more "full bodied." Meaning lots of flavour from beginning to end. Not as complex as African beans. They can be boring sometimes but they're like comfort food. Simple & easy to enjoy. (Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua)

Those are sweeping generalizations that I have in my mind going in. It's just a jumping off point. There are so many exceptions. I had a Mexican coffee from Nelson The Seagull that tasted like strawberries. Something I would expect from an African bean. A lot can happen in the roasting process to change the flavour and complexion. I'm sure others have a different opinion about the characteristics. It's complicated.

The only way to taste these flavours is by trying light (cinnamon) or medium roast beans. If you see a dark roast it's likely because the roaster is using inferior beans. They are trying to roast away the impurities. That burnt, charcoal taste isn't the bean -it's the roast you're tasting. It's like eating burnt toast. You're not tasting the bread. Big chains cannot attain enough high quality beans so they burn crappy ones. Then they have marketed this distinctive burnt flavour as desirable. It's not what coffee is supposed to taste like.

A blend is not probably a good way to learn about coffee. They mix beans from different regions so it's hard to learn what it is you like or dislike about that particular beans. If you're just learning maybe avoid any beans with names like "Morning Thunder" or anything other than the region it came from. The roaster is usually taking short cuts to make their coffee appear more complex. They save money by mixing poorer quality beans with better quality beans. Ethical Bean and other roasters do this more for economic reasons.

There are beans from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam but they are less common and usually pretty awful. Robusta is often grown in this region. I think it's vile. Robusta is used in freeze dried cans of grocery store coffee like MJB, Nescafe etc. Some places sell them as a desirable beverage. I think it's sometimes called Vietnamese coffee (?) or something like that. (Sulawesi)

*another thread monopolized by Dan

Indeed! No opinion there ;)
I agree that the heavily roasted bean is no way to respect coffee. I've just retrained my palate to a less roasted bean. I learned a lot from Paul Katzeff of Thanksgiving Coffee in northern California. He set me straight about my dark roast habit. He was polite about it but I understood what he was saying. He had traveled the globe for 40+ years in pursuit of good beans so I really respect his opinion.
I was pretty stuck on the dark roasts for so long, but now I can really taste good coffee when I get it.
btw. you forgot Honduras! Some of the worst coffee I had in my life was what I brought back from there, but things are changing.
online.wsj.com/article/S…

@Dan you're awesome, you well deserve the Arabic coffee bag :)  .. So when are we having our UYE at Revolver ?

@Matthew @Roanna, you must come to revolver UYE too, you don't have another choice :p

You don't have to twist MY arm for that :)

Ooh! Just came across this useful coffee growing information:
gocoffeego.com/professor…

That's an awesome link Roanna. Especially the part about "Ramon the well-fed mule" I asked Chris at Revolver when they are the least busy and he said early on weekdays. It's always so packed in there I don't know if there would be much room for a big group of us. But I want to meet you Yasser. And not just to collect my coffee :D but also so you can teach me some Arabic.

I'm flexible early weekdays. I can be in Vancouver at 10, is that early enough? I can do Tuesday if that's fine with everyone! Any other suggestions?

Yeah, I don't think I can get over there too early either. I'd rather do afternoon, 2 ish but it's true that it's hard to find a seat. What to do... what to do.... Risk it maybe?
We'll hang around like a bad odor until someone leaves ! haha  Anyways, you should post it as an event, no?

*ps. Dan; (He spells it with an 'i' -not an 'e' like Arafat.)  8-}

Revolver has some beans from Ecuador coming in next week. Roasted by Ritual. I'd never had beans from there before. It's nice and an easy "beginners" bean. Not too fancy or acidic but still cleaner than most beans from that region. Pretty exotic.

And yes thank-you Reena. Sorry Yassir. Feel free to get the vowel wrong in my name.

Omg lolz!!!!  I'll have what he's  ^^ having.  
-Reena. (aka Roanna).
Now I'm laughing so hard that I'm crying! Did you do that on purpose?

Oh Moses smell the roses. Roanna!! Argh. No that wasn't on purpose... I'm just very very tired and distracted. Can I blame it on auto-correct?

Hahaha actually I don't mind at all to have my name spelled with an 'i' or 'e' .. As a matter of fact that made me feel that I have a name not just a set of letters :) copied and pasted :p

About the revolver .. I have to pick my kids up from school at 3! So I have to leave downtown by 2.30ish so if we can make it around 12.30 /1 pm it will be awesome!

Btw what time does the Revolver close? I can do evenings !

Decaf anyone?

Evenings would be fine for me as well, however, looks like they close at 6 pm.
I haven't had their decaf.... (I'm not a huge fan of decaf, and I would love to have some quality decaf to change that.)
SO...... risk it for some time around noon or earlier? We'll figure this out.

I don't know if I can make it on Tuesday. Things are getting a bit crazy for me. Let me know if you guys go and I'll do my best to drop by. Later in the week would be better if you guys want to have another one. I'm there at least 3 times a week usually around 3PM.

Arranging this UYE is becoming like a G8 summit :p so, I will be at the Revolver on Thursday around 11am - 2pm (or until they kick me out of the place) whoever can show up it'll be great. :) no pressure though!

I can be there around noon Yassir. Will be good to meet you.

I'll try and be there too.

Moi aussie. Weather dependent because I'd like to walk over.

Perfect. Will be good to see all of you. Matthew we'll have to discuss salt water fish tanks, antique cameras, and Apple products as well as coffee.

That's on top of art and Yassir's Arabic lessons.

Busy afternoon hahaha see y'll then

@ Dan,  good memory!

I reviewed all my compliments and messages. I had forgotten how many interests we all have in common. :D

And all of that have to be discussed in one hour lol see you tomorrow :)

Oops  I meant to say Thursday

So who's in? I'll be there shorty after 12:00.

I won't be able to be there till 2ish if anyone will be there still.  I have to take care of some printing before anything else.

I'm here and I just ordered a tasting flight.

That sounds fun! Will have to get myself there to do it one day.

My mind & body are fighting a battle of wills, but I think my mind is winning! I'll be there, albeit late. Hope to see you.

Cool! Let's get caffeinated...

Dan, Yasser, Michelle, Roanna and I are at Revolver right now and Dan is getting waaaay too hopped up. I'm outta here - have a 'meeting'. :-)

It was great to see you all! This should be a monthly ritual @Dan :) Looking forward to see you and other yelppers who're going to the elite event

Omgomgomg... Columbiancoffeemadness. Shokran Yassir for the Saudi coffee.

burr grinder, French press, near boiling water and any great coffee brew it and do it

Oh y're welcome .. I suggest you read about the Arabian (Saudi) coffee culture before drinking this awesome coffee. Btw, you are not supposed to add sugar to Saudi coffee, and there is a lot of twists (spices) that you can add to the coffee to reach different levels of greatness. But this package will give you an easy plug and play go with Saudi coffee! Enjoy!

Ok hope this works with the thread; used a bodum for years but thinking of getting a small nespresso. That's my fave brand and I want the latest thing that is small. I need to add milk to my coffee (I prefer skim) or it doesn't agree with me. Love my bodum but it is so messy to make, takes too long and is too harsh on my system. (I make it strong.) thoughts? I drink lattes whenever I can but they are too spendy. Anyway, sorry if I hijacked the thread...figured it was related. :) and your coffee date sounded fun!

For you @Yassir :) jjbeancoffee.com/article…

JN that works with this thread. I think it's perfectly fine to add cream to your coffee if that's how you like it. Nobody is the boss of you. I think some coffees taste nice with cream. But cream will make some fruitier coffees (like Kenyan) taste funky. If you like your coffee 'strong' it probably tastes better with cream/milk etc. I used to use a Bodum but I actually enjoy taking my time trying to brew the perfect pourover. That's weird I know.

That's awesome Roanna.

Only skim milk. Hate the taste of whole milk or cream in it. Wrecks it for me, so why waste the fat. And these new gourmet places never ever have it? Actually, can almost drink black coffee now. So no nespresso tips Dan?

I dunno. I've heard some of the fancy cafes don't serve skim or soy because they feel it ruins good coffee. Supposedly when Moishe Safdie designed the central library downtown he insisted on approving what art got hung on "his" walls. Artists can be protective of their creations. Maybe these cafes are using the same line of reasoning. I don't think a cup of coffee is equivalent to a work of art but properly caffeinated Parisians did create a lot of masterpieces.

If you like strong coffee have you tried adding water to the coffee after it has been brewed? In other words make it strong the way you like it so you still get the full body. But add water to the already brewed cup at the end. That will lighten it but it will still be flavourful. In other words add water the same way you would add cream or milk.

Maybe this is helpful: The 'proper' ratio of grounds to water is 1:16 no matter what kind of bean you're using. That means if you don't like the coffee it's not "too weak" or "too strong". It's something else.

I'm no expert. I just drink the stuff by the gallon. I don't know anything about the Nespresso. Maybe someone else does?

@J N ::: Nespresso is at the top of the range of all plug and play (espresso) coffee makers! I love it, and I've been checking the different models at home outfitters for a while and I'm waiting for the best time to buy one! I tried it at a friend house, and I was blown away by the variety of twists this little monster can offer! I love to have one, though I think using the microwave instead of the stove takes all the cooking fun away! But if you're looking for (the same) good coffee to drink (full stop) then go and buy your nespresso today :) Plus you can add the type of milk you prefer to have.

p.s I see that Dan! is recruiting heavily to his raw-coffee-with-no-suger-no-milk-no-nothing-cult (HQ @ Revolver) so be aware :p lol

I actually used to make Nespresso at my friend's in NY before it became popular here. It was so new and I was so non-machine-friendly, I would call their hotline! they were awesome. (hers had a milk frother, too). That was about 8 years ago. I want a compact one as I hate machines that take up space. Hers was huge, but again, that was awhile ago and before any other company had made the pods, as far as I know.

Oh, and I went to Save-On today. Was a tad disappointed in the food, but so impressed by the coffee (which was JJ Bean!) Usually diners here fail in that dep't. (Jethros, anyone?)

Also, why would cafes (Nelson, i.e.) refuse to serve skim but have almond milk? Wouldn't that ruin it, too? (I could be wrong; I guess I don't want to try it. And this from a gal who loves rich food!)

Dan, that is a great tip! I, more than likely started drinking skim the way some people drink diet coke, but actually now prefer the taste, believe it or not! My problem is I am supposed to avoid the "acid." Same goes for spicy food, citrus, wine. Ridiculous. I never do, of course, but I really should. I will try your tip, though.

Also, you guys had me thinking revolver all day. But after Save-On and three cups at home, I avoided it. And when I walked by, it was too lined up, anyway.

Yassir, tell me if you find a deal! I'm thinking Macy's on sale would be the best, but it would have to be when I'm there over a weekend, which I don't have planned any time soon!

I get the impression the Almond Milk at Nelson may be a compromise. Jonathan really knows a lot about coffee. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that fat is necessary if you're adding it to coffee and the oils & fats in almonds work better with coffee? Just a theory.

The coffee at Nelson is often quite dark so don't be surprised if you see me adding cream to it. Heavens to Betsy!! :0

I love that NTS has fresh in-house made Almond milk! In fact I went there and ordered one as a steamer and it was great. But one day I had the Cappuccino with the Almond milk (I can't do dairy) and holygawds it was terrible! The Mr. had a regular Capp and said that it was delicious. So it was definitely a bad combination between home made Almond Milk and the particular roast of coffee that day.
I was determined to give them another shot.
The next time I went to NTS they were out of Almond and had NO other substitute for milk. I was sorrily disappointed. I ordered a regular coffee. First I tried the coffee by itself, it was too bitter, then I tried it with a bit of Agave syrup and it was still too bitter, (now I sound like Goldilocks & The Three Bears) I poured some sugar in it. The 3 bears came home while I was asleep ... oh- wrong story. Anyways, I left thirsty.

Ro, I have the same problem with coffee which is why I like milk. :)

I was just there and Revolver does in fact offer soy. Don't tell anyone. They have a reputation to maintain :P jk

I want some good coffee now :S

Thanks Roanna for "How to Taste Coffee" video .. now you deserve some of my Saudi Coffee :D

I want to try some Saudi coffee.  I will gladly trade you some copies of Dexter for some Saudi coffee!

Lol Matthew, the best Saudi coffee could be tasted only on the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, and not through my plug and play coffee packages (already mixed with cardamom) :) but in all cases, I will get some  Saudi coffee to share with all coffee lovers ... I will bring it brewed so no hustle, just pure enjoyment. Btw, we traditionally serve coffee with dates since its not supposed to be sweetened at all :)