Coffee Basics and Practice: A Comprehensive Guide

Coffee Basics

Coffee is a beverage made from ground coffee beans that has the effect of stimulating energy, increasing concentration and improving mood. Knowing the basics of coffee is essential to becoming a good barista.

First, we need to understand the different types of coffee beans. The most common ones are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans have a smooth taste and rich aroma, while Robusta beans are more bitter and have a stronger taste.

Secondly, grinding is one of the most important factors in determining the taste and flavor of coffee. The coarseness will affect the contact time between water and coffee and the amount of substances extracted. Generally speaking, coarse grinding is suitable for longer brewing time (such as French press), and fine grinding is suitable for shorter brewing time (such as espresso).

Select and save

It is very important to choose high-quality fresh coffee beans. You can judge the freshness of coffee beans by observing the production date and roasting degree on the package. In addition, understanding the characteristics of different origins can also help you choose coffee that suits your taste.

To keep the coffee beans fresh, it is recommended to store them in a sealed container and avoid direct sunlight and humidity. It is best to use them within two weeks after opening to ensure that the flavor is not lost.

Brewing method

There are many ways to brew coffee, each with a different taste and flavor. Here are some common brewing methods:

- Drip filter: Place the ground coffee into filter paper, use gravity to draw water through the filter paper and collect the extracted liquid.

- French press: Mix coarsely ground coffee with hot water and press down on the filter to isolate the grounds after a suitable amount of time.

- Espresso: A strong, intense coffee with a certain thickness, obtained through high pressure.

- Drip: Place ground coffee in a paper filter and slowly pour in pre-heated water.

Adjust the taste

If you are not satisfied with the brewed coffee, you can try some methods to adjust the taste. Here are some common ways:

- Adjust the grinding degree: Adjust the coarseness of the coffee beans according to your preferred taste and brewing method.

- Adjust the water temperature: The flavor of coffee brewed at different temperatures will also be different. Generally speaking, lower temperatures will bring a more sour and light taste; while higher temperatures will make the coffee more bitter and strong.

- Adding other ingredients: such as milk, milk foam, chocolate, etc. can bring more layers and richness to the original single flavor.

Pro Tips

In addition to the basics, mastering some professional techniques can also improve your coffee making skills.

- Milk foaming skills: Mastering the method of making milk foam can add rich taste and visual effects to coffee. You need to pay attention to details such as milk temperature, milk foam consistency and pouring method.

- Latte Art: Use milk to create various patterns on espresso, which not only enhances the visual enjoyment but also shows your skill level.

Conclusion

By learning the basics of coffee, choosing quality beans, mastering brewing methods and adjusting flavors, you will become an excellent barista. Continuously practicing and trying new methods and techniques, and communicating and sharing experiences with other coffee lovers will make you more unique in this field.