Navigating between Craft & Crap Coffee
Navigating between Crap coffee & Craft Coffee
Ever found yourself perplexed in a craft coffee shop, wondering if you're really getting your money's worth? You're not alone. Before getting into the industry we had no idea that we too were 'bad coffee' drinkers, We’ve been there. But fear not! I'm here to spill the beans (pun intended) on how to easily discern if you’re getting a good cup of coffee.
1. Listen to the Music of Milk Frothing The sound of your drink's preparation is telling. That high-pitched screech that seems oddly enough to be the soundtrack in every coffee shop scene on TV during milk frothing, is a sign to turn-around. Ideally, you want to hear the balance of air being sucked into milk, followed by the creation of micro-foam – This should be two-step process. If you see your barista stick the want in the milk, turn on the frother an walk away, you will not be getting a good drink.
2. The Bean Tells the Tale Beans are obviously a big part of the experience. If you spot generic, big-box store bags, think twice. Freshness is key, and unfortunately, these beans likely missed the freshness bus by a long mile. The time it takes to get the beans from roaster, through the big-box supply chain, to your coffee shop will likely mean the beans were stale before getting to the shop. If you ask your barista when their beans were roasted and they don’t know, that’s a major red-flag.
3. The Espresso Dance – Timing is Everything A well-pulled espresso shot is all about timing and precision. It shouldn't be a rapid waterfall or a sluggish drip. About 30 seconds is the sweet spot for extracting that perfect blend of sour, bitter, and sweet.
In summary, it's the little details that make a big difference. Screeching milk, stale beans, and ill-timed espresso shots are tell-tale signs of a less-than-stellar coffee experience. Next time you're in a coffee shop, keep these tips in mind. And if you discover a great spot, share it! After all, good coffee is worth talking about."
It sounds like a lot of information but here is the TLDR.
1) Is the milk being boiled? You’ll hear screeching and your milk will taste like eggs. This is NOT a good sound
2) Is your coffee being roasted / used fresh – Ask your barista what beans they use. If they don’t know, or you can see a big box retailer packaging on the back shelf, it likely will not be a quality drink.
3) Is your espresso pulling in ~ 30 seconds? If it looks like a thick sludge barely coming out, it’ll taste burnt, if it looks like a gushing water slide it’ll taste weak and sour.
