Coffee

How to brew espresso

Two of the people from Has Bean Coffee have produced a free e-book on how to brew espresso, and how to tune that process until you are getting the exact drink you want.

When this was first written, it was only available to those who had an iOS device - which was not me.

However they've just turned it into a 23-page PDF document, which means the rest of us can now read it too.

So go read their book called Espresso Training. … Read more about How to brew espresso

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Coffee

Cascara

Coffee Cherries Today, I'd like to introduce you to cascara.

It's not a kind of make-up.

It's not a sequence of waterfalls.

It's a byproduct of the coffee producing process, which most people in these shores haven't heard of. Yet in the coffee producing regions it is turned into a drink in its own right.

Meet: Cascara … Read more about Cascara

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Coffee

Help! I've just been given a HotTop. What do I do?

For those who don't know, a Hot Top is a home coffee roaster that operates a bit like a miniature version of the commercial roasters. It roasts in a perforated steel drum that rotates while the air temperature around it ramps up to the right temperature. When the beans are roasted, they are ejected into a cooling tray where ambient air is blown through the beans that are stirred with a paddle. The whole thing takes 20-25 minutes. … Read more about Help! I've just been given a HotTop. What do I do?

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Coffee

What's happening with Kenyan Coffee

Steve Leighton, proprietor of Has Bean Coffee, has been on a trip to Kenya.

Naturally, this is doubly close to my heart, and so it was interesting to read his thoughts on his return.

There's an encouraging twist in there that we can expect some good Kenyan coffees to land in the UK in a few months time as a result of his trip. … Read more about What's happening with Kenyan Coffee

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Coffee

Ethiopia Kerbal Konga Washed coffee

I've just tried Ethiopia Kerbal Konga Washed for the first time. Absolutely blows you away.

Sadly, I tried it first and then looked at the price - not the cheapest coffee you could get.

But it truly is worth every penny. … Read more about Ethiopia Kerbal Konga Washed coffee

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Coffee

Direct Trade Coffee

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Has Bean Coffee. From time to time, I'm asked about whether their coffees are "fair trade". In this day and age when information is so much more freely available, there's a welcome movement - which Christians have been at the forefront of - to make sure that we shop in ethical ways. The price we pay for goods matters; the way workers are treated matters. … Read more about Direct Trade Coffee

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Coffee

Hasbean Filter Blend

Steve, over at Has Bean Coffee has just launched a new blend.

All of the previous blends, launched 18-12 months ago, were designed for espresso. That's all well and good, but not everybody has an espresso machine or chooses to brew their daily coffee that way. … Read more about Hasbean Filter Blend

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Coffee

Coffee Picking

Steve Leighton has a fascinating post about Day 3 of his recent trip to Machacarmarca farm in Bolivia. That was the day he spent picking coffee with the other farm workers, and seeing first-hand how the methods used on this farm result in the quality you get in the cup. … Read more about Coffee Picking

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Coffee

New roaster on the block

Last week, I was contacted by a new micro-roaster, Coffee Bean Shop, asking if I'd be interested in a free sample of some of their beans to try. I didn't have to think long about gift-horses before deciding that wouldn't be a bad idea. … Read more about New roaster on the block

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Coffee

Coffee 101

Steve Leighton, of Has Bean Coffee has launched a simple new website, called Coffee 101. Want to learn a bit more about coffee? Here's what the site says about itself: … Read more about Coffee 101

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Coffee

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