10 Tips For People Advancing In The Coffee World


  • coffee beans

    Photo Credit: Daniel Hurst Photography/Getty Images via Flickr



    If you read “4 Tips For People Entering The Coffee World” then you are set to read round two. If you haven’t read the first article I suggest reading it quick and then coming back after.

    Alright let’s get to it.

    Now that you know what to expect when entering the coffee world, let’s advance to some tips that I’d like to bring to the table. These are all tips I’ve learned and adopted over the past year 1/2 and I hope you do to. Now these aren’t use if you want tips, but more like if you want great coffee you need to adopt these tips.

    1.)
    Research, Research, Research
    You can never research too much when it comes to coffee especially when trying to find information on things like grinders, brewing methods, scales, and so on. Here’s a few sites to help you out:

    BrewMethods & CoffeeForums

    2.)
    Ask, Ask, And Oh…Ask
    Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Whether it be a coffee professional, local barista, or just the average coffee lover. You might be the type of person to sit in the back of the classroom, but if you don’t ask questions you’ll only learn so much.

    3.)
    Decide On A Brewing Method
    Don’t go crazy and purchase more brewing methods than you can handle. Overwhelming yourself like that will not help you at all. Take some time to research the many brewing methods out there and decide on what you think will work best for you or what brewing method you think you can benefit from. Hey, do a pros and cons list if you have to. Just make sure it’s right for you.

    4.)
    Your Grinder Is Your Baby. Treat It Like A Baby
    Respect the grinder. Within days your grinder will get dirty and become clogged with old oily stale coffee grinds. Make sure to clean your grinder out every week at the least to ensure you get a great cup of coffee every time.

    5.)
    Learn To Experiment
    I hope you payed attention in science class. Experimenting is key to great coffee. You will not get that perfect coffee right off the bat. You can read the directions listed on a coffee bag, but chances are that anyone who still posts directions on their bags are not offering fresh coffee.

    6.)
    Less is more Less Is Not More
    There is no such thing as less is more in the coffee world. Always remember to buy a little extra coffee that will be used when you are adjusting the various variables. (i.e. grind, water temperature, amount of coffee, and extraction time.) Just because a pound seems like too much coffee for you, just remember that some of it will end up wasted.

    7.)
    Milk And Sugar Are Devils In Disguise
    If you drink your coffee this way, please ween yourself off it ASAP. Using these additives will affect the taste of your coffee and you will not be getting the whole experience. Cut it out.

    8.)
    Forget What Your Mamma Told You. Slurp Like You’ve Never Slurped Before.
    Have you ever seen coffee professionals or coffee connoisseur’s slurp their coffee? Forget what your parents told you about slurping. In the coffee world, slurping is not so much a must, but a sure way to get the coffee on every part of your tongue so you can taste everything it has to offer.

    9.)
    Reviewing Coffee: Experts Not Required
    This isn’t a a step you need to do, but it’s a good way to know what you tasted in your coffee down the line. Maybe you are thinking about ordering a coffee you had in the past, but you can’t remember what it tasted like… For all you know it was the coffee you didn’t like and you are about to order it again.

    33 Coffees is a handy little book for any coffee lover. Jott down a few simple notes, give it a rating and you are good to go.

    10.)
    Don’t Forget To Have Fun
    The coffee world is like a big playground. Go play, and don’t forget to enjoy it every step of the way.



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    March 7th, 2011 | Jamie | No Comments | Tags: ,

About The Author

Jamie Ferguson

From sunny Sarasota Florida, Jamie Ferguson has been drinking coffee since a very young age. Jamie is just your average jane who has a serious addiction to coffee, but more so has a bigger love for the heart, and the dedication that is put into growing, processing and roasting coffee. Come and join the adventures...