HOW TO MAKE

YOULL NEVER WASTE

MONEY ON STARBUCKS AGAIN

COFFEE SO GOOD

Luca Vincenzo

w w w . o c u l u s p u b l i s h e r s . c o m

Copyright 2012 Waterbury Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions of this book and dont participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with, or ask them to buy their own copies. This was hard work for the author and he appreciates it. Cover Designed by: Damon Freeman Published by: Oculus Publishers www.oculuspublishers.com Visit the authors website: www.makingespresso.com

CONTENTS

Better Coffee for Less MoneyWhy You Should Read This Book 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The Baristas Guide to Coffee Beans The Unsung Hero of Coffee: The Grinder Dont Forget the Water! The Little-Known Secrets of Making Great Coffee 10 Classic Coffee Drinks That Are to Die For 7 Holiday Coffee Drinks That Will Make You Cheer 5 Coffee Dessert Drinks That Are Like Heaven in a Cup Welcome to the Tantalizing World of Espresso How to Speak Like an Espresso Lover The 8 Keys to Making Killer Espresso How to Pull the Perfect Shot of Espresso
3 11 15 17 23 31 37 41 43 51 55

12. 13. 14.

8 Espresso Drinks That Every Coffee Lover Should Try What to Know Before Buying an Espresso Machine How to Keep Your Machine in Top-Top Shape Would You Do Me a Favor?

61 67 75

BETTER COFFEE FOR LESS MONE Y

WH Y YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

IF YOU BOUGHT THIS BOOK, you probably agree with me that coffee is awesome. While we may not know what each new day will bring, we know well start them off with a delicious, aromatic cup of coffee (or two), and thats always worth getting out of bed for. But have you ever done the math on how much you spend in coffee shops? At most chain stores like Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, and The Coffee Bean, a plain old cup of coffee will cost you about $1.75. If you bought a cup every day, that would be $8.75 per week. If you did this every week, it would cost you $35 per month and $245 per year. Pretty expensive, no? If you only buy a few cups per week, thats still around $150 per year. And thats spending as little as possible! If you like fancier drinks, you can double those numbers. Imagine spending $500 per year on just your morning coffee! Well, I wrote this book to not only save you a couple hundred dollars per year, but to also show you how to make better coffee yourself, using inexpensive equipment that you can keep at home or the office. A regular cup of coffee shouldnt cost you more than about $0.20 to make, and a fancy -ccino drink maybe tops out at $0.50. Thats an eighth the price of coffee chainsnot bad. Home-brewed coffee also doesnt have to taste like a bitter cup of hot water with a dash of charcoal. It can taste chocolaty, without any added chocolate. It can have hints of citrus, without ever coming near fruit. It can

be something you look forward to every morning for more than a kick of caffeine. So, if youre ready to learn how to make some of the best coffee youve ever tasted and save some cash too, lets get started!

THE BARISTAS GUIDE TO COFFEE BEANS

FRESH, HIGH-QUALITY COFFEE BEANS are probably the most overlooked aspect of brewing delicious coffee. Inferior beans will always make inferior coffee, regardless of how fancy your machine is or how many brewing tips and tricks you try. In this chapter, youre going to learn everything you need to know about coffee beans, so you can whip up heavenly cups of coffee every time.

WHAT IS A COFFEE BEAN, ANYWAY?

Coffee beans are the seeds of berries that grow on trees (yep, coffee grows on trees!). There are usually two seeds, or beans, per cherry. Almost all the worlds coffee is produced in hot regions, because thats where it does best. Coffee trees need quite a bit of water, shade, and sun, but dont require good soil. Coffee trees are a part of the plant genus Coffea, and there are thousands of species of plants in this genus. These plants vary greatly in size and shape, but only two types are used in producing commercial coffee beans: Coffea arabica, and Coffea canephora, also known as Coffea robusta. Arabica beans are, without doubt, the better choice for coffee making. Theyre grown in the Americas as well as parts of Africa and Asia, and their flavors vary depending on where theyre grownsome arabicas have a hint of other berries (Ethiopian Harrar is known for a blueberry flavor), some are very earthy (Indian and Indonesian coffees are known for this),

HOW TO MAKE COFFEE SO GOOD YOULL NEVER WASTE MONEY ON STARBUCKS AGAIN

while others have a hint of citrus (common with Central American beans). Around 75% of all coffee grown today is arabica. Robusta beans are harsher in taste and have more caffeine than arabica. Premium robustas are used in espresso blends because they greatly help with producing a smooth, buttery crema, and they add a bit of bite to the shot. Its tough to find great robusta beans, however, because most coffee growers focus their efforts on producing high-quality arabicas. Poorquality robustas are often used in instant coffees, freeze-dried coffees, and coffee-flavored frozen drinks that rely on sugar and cream to hide the horrible, burnt taste of bad robusta beans.

HOW DO YOU TALK ABOUT BEANS?

Coffee connoisseurs often talk about the complexity, acidity and body of beans. What are they talking about? Complexity: This refers to the number of elements in the cup of coffeearomas, textures, and tastes. Roasters often roast and blend different coffees to achieve a varied profile. Acidity: Not to be confused with the pH scale of chemical acidity, the coffee term refers to the refreshing, mouth-cleansing quality, a sparkling, lively taste that can help you wake up in the morning. This is also referred to as the brightness or liveliness of a coffee. Body: The sensation that the coffee elicits from your tongue, whether it feels heavy, thick, or oily.

HOW ARE BEANS PROCESSED?

If beans are dry processed, it means they have been washed and then laid out to dry in the sun for several weeks. During this process, the pulp ferments and imparts a unique taste to the beans. Weather and temperature also affect the eventual quality and taste of the beans. After the beans are dried, they are put in machines that remove the dried-up, outer layers of the berries and wash the beans. A wet-processed bean is one that comes from a berry that first had its outer-skin removed by machine. Then, the remaining fruit pulp and beans were placed in a tank and allowed to ferment. Natural bacteria and enzymes eat away the pulp and the beans are then washed and dried (either by the sun or in a machine), and then processed in machines to remove the remaining layers.

THE BARISTAS GUIDE TO COFFEE BEANS

Semi-wet processing is also a method of preparing coffee beans, and it entails removing the outer-skins of the berries and then letting the pulp and beans dry in the sun like in dry processing. The remaining layers are then removed by machine and the beans are washed. One method of processing isnt necessarily better than another they just produce different-tasting beans. Dry-processed beans are usually heavy in body, sweet, smooth, and complex. Wet-processed beans produce cleaner, brighter, and fruitier coffee. Semi-wet processed beans are known for having a taste thats in between dry- and wet-processed beans: Theyre usually sweeter than wet-processed beans with a bit of body and acidity. How beans are processed changes their taste more than anything else. The differences between and wet- and dry-processed Brazilian coffee will usually be more noticeable than two wet-processed coffees from different regions. Therefore, I recommend that you try beans processed in each of the ways to see what best suits your palate. If you want to get fancy, you can blend different types of beans to create your ideal coffee experience (something well talk more about soon!).

WHAT TYPES OF BEANS SHOULD YOU BUY?

Dont think that buying arabica beans will ensure youre ready to make great coffee. The label arabica is no promise of quality and, in fact, a fair amount of the arabica out there is actually pretty poor. As taste is a subjective matter, I cant conclusively tell you which types of beans are best. But I can help you understand what your options are, so you can experiment with them and find whats best for you. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN There are over 40 countries that produce and export coffee, and each product is different and ever-changing (coffee berries grow eight or more times per year and no two batches of beans taste the same). Each coffeegrowing region has its distinctive characteristics, though, and you should know them. I want to go over what I think are the best regions to buy coffee from, a great starting point for your coffee-tasting adventures. JAMAICA Jamaica is best-known in the coffee world for their Blue Mountain region, which produces quite expensive coffee referred to as (what else) Jamaican Blue Mountain. Genuine JBM comes from only a handful of ap-

HOW TO MAKE COFFEE SO GOOD YOULL NEVER WASTE MONEY ON STARBUCKS AGAIN

proved estates, and the roasting, sale, and export of JBM is strictly regulated by the Jamaican government and the Coffee Industry Board. So whats all the fuss about? The best lots of JBM beans are known for their mild flavor and lack of bitterness. However, most professional roasters today agree that the taste isnt as good as it was in the 60s and 70s, and the brand now relies more on its prestige and mystique than its quality to justify the sky-high prices. Theres also quite a bit of counterfeit JBM out there, which is clearly evident from the simple fact that the annual sales of JBM are always higher than the actual yearly production. If a coffee says its Jamaica Blue Mountain style, it has no actual JBM beans in it. If a blend calls itself a Jamaican Blue Mountain blend, it only needs to contain 5% authentic JBM to make that claim. Nevertheless, many people swear by JBM and are happy to pay the premium for it. A good alternative to JBM is Jamaican High Mountain coffee, which is grown by estates in the area that arent approved to label their coffee as JBM. JHM coffees are very good and much cheaper than JBM. HAWAII Hawaii is the only US state that grows coffee, although several US territories grow it. Its best-known coffee comes from the district of Kona, which is located on the western coast of the island of Hawaii. Coffee growing in this region goes all the way back to 1829, and many of the trees are over 100 years old. For coffee beans to bear the stamp of Kona, they must be grown in this region. Kona beans make superb coffee famous for its rich flavor and intense aromas. While not cheap, Kona beans are less expensive than JBM and many people feel their price is more justified. As with JBM, watch out for Kona imposters. Kona blends may contain only small quantities of genuine Kona beans (as little as 10%, which is whats required by law). Look for beans that have a 100% Kona certificate or a Kona Coffee Council 100% seal on the bagthese are the real deal. All coffee aficionados should try out 100% Kona beans to see if they catch their fancy. BRAZIL Brazil is a coffee giant. Its the largest producer of low-quality arabica beans and quite a bit of robusta too. Some espresso blends are 90% Brazilian and these beans are used in most canned coffee and big roasters blends.

THE BARISTAS GUIDE TO COFFEE BEANS

That being said, Brazil also produces delicious, high-quality coffee beans too. Every good espresso blend that Ive tasted used a premium Brazil as its base because they produce great crema and body, which is a great foundation for other coffees. Experience has taught me that the best Brazilian beans come from the Sul de Minas, Mogiana, Cerrado and Matas de Minas regions. Two microregions in Cerrado are of special interest: Chapadao de Ferro and Serra de Salita. You cant go wrong with a great Brazil, so I recommend you experiment to find what you like most. GUATEMALA Guatemalan coffee is world-renowned for offering one of the most flavorful and subtly complex cups you can find. Coffee from the Antiqua region is probably the most celebrated of all Guatemalan coffees. Coffee from the Hehuetenango region can also be exceptional and full of fruity flavors. Coban, Fraijanes and Quiche are also regions that produce great coffee. Central American coffees bring a wonderful zing to a blend, which wakes up the palate. Check out not only Guatemalan coffee, but El Salvadoran and Nicaraguan too! As an added little tip, try Bourbon and Pacamara varietals from El Salvador; also, I think the best Nicaraguan coffees come from the Segovia, Jinotega, and Matagalpa regions. YEMEN Yemen is a little country below Saudi Arabia that produces some truly wonderful coffee. Its famous in the coffee world for its Mocha port, from which it ships its coffee. Yemen offers one of the most distinct flavors of coffee in the world. Bright and complex, it is alive with notes that range from candied fruit to dark chocolate with a medium-to-full body. If you want a unique cup of coffee, give Yemen beans a try, but dont blame me if you get addicted! KENYA Kenya is an African coffee powerhouse. In general, Kenyan coffee is a bright, complex cup full of interesting fruit flavors (berries and citrus), with an occasional dash of spice. Despite the political turmoil in the region, Kenya takes its coffee trade

HOW TO MAKE COFFEE SO GOOD YOULL NEVER WASTE MONEY ON STARBUCKS AGAIN

very seriously. Their research and development is unparalleled and quality control, meticulous. Many thousands of small farmers are extremely knowledgeable in how to produce top-notch coffee beans, and it shows in the cup. Youll pay a premium for Kenyan coffee, but its well worth it. Give it a tryI think youll agree. ETHIOPIA It would be remiss of me to not include Ethiopia in this list as its not only the birthplace of coffee, but it also produces high-quality beans. The forests of the Kaffa region were the cradle of coffee civilization, with arabica beans growing in the wild. Slaves taken from these forests spread the beans elsewhere and well, as the saying goes, the rest is history. The best Ethiopian coffees come from the Sidamo, Yirgascheffe, and Limmu regions. Really great beans such as the dry-processed Koratie are just spectacular in flavor.

WHAT ABOUT BLENDING?

Creating your own unique coffee blends is where the real fun begins. By honing your own house blend, you can create the exact coffee experiences that you desire. There are a few rules of blending that will ensure you get the desired results: 1. Brew and taste each of the coffees separately. Record aroma, fragrance, flavor, acidity, body, and aftertaste. Brew and taste coffees next to each other to determine which coffees augment the flavor of another. Remember that blending coffee beans is an art and the goal is that the whole must be greater than the sum of the parts. 2. Start with a base of a sweet and heavy-bodied coffee and add a small amount of another coffee to it (before you brew it, of course!). Understand the flavor profile of your base and understand your goal. Ask yourself what coffees might be added to this base to achieve the cup you want. Note the change when adding this coffee and repeat with other coffee origins. 3. Next, try mixing three or four other coffees together until you get a blend that displays the flavor characteristics you desire. 4. After determining what type of coffee you would like to use in your blend, begin experimenting with different ratios until you have de-

THE BARISTAS GUIDE TO COFFEE BEANS

termined the best ratios to bring out the flavor, sweetness, body and aftertaste desired. 5. If youre roasting your own beans, experiment with different roasts of each coffee in the blend in the same manner you experimented when adding other coffees to the base. Roast one coffee a little lighter or darker than the other coffees in the blend and note any differences. It is usually preferable to roast each coffee separately to its own individual peak and then blend coffees to create the most complexity.

THE UNSUNG HERO OF COFFEE: THE GRINDER

BUYING A COFFEE GRINDER IS a better choice than using pre-ground coffee. By using your own grinder, your whole-bean coffee will stay fresh longer, and theyre fun to use. Who wants coffee made with stale beans, anyway? Lets explore the fascinating world of coffee grinders that are on the market today.

TYPES OF GRINDERS
ers. There are two types of coffee grinders: burr grinders and blade grindBURR GRINDERS Burr grinders use a spinning metal plate to shred the coffee evenly. Most newer machines are automatic, meaning that you program them how much coffee you want and how fine you want the grind to be. Conical burr grinders are the best type of burr grinder. They preserve the most aroma and their grind is very fine and very consistent. The intricate design of the steel burrs allow a slow grinding speed, which imparts less heat to the ground coffee, thus preserving maximum amount of aroma. The better conical burr grinders can also grind extra fine for the preparation of Turkish coffee. Several companies now make low-end ($25 and under) burr grinders.

12

HOW TO MAKE COFFEE SO GOOD YOULL NEVER WASTE MONEY ON STARBUCKS AGAIN

You should stay away from these, as the low-end models often overheat the grounds and do a lousy job of grinding. If you dont have much money to spend, I think youre better off getting a blade grinder. But a good grinder can make a big difference in the quality of your coffee, so you should seriously consider buying a nice one. BLADE GRINDERS Blade grinders use a spinning metal blade to grind coffee, as you probably guessed by the name. Not much suspense there. These tend to be cylindrical plastic devices that cost around $15 USD. Dont be lured by the price, though; these grinders have two major drawbacks. First, the coffee is not ground evenly, so you cant get a perfect grind out of them. Second, the blade imparts quite a bit of heat the coffee, which is detrimental to the flavor. For those reasons, I recommend buying a decent burr grinder if possible. If you cant or dont want to spend much on a grinder, then go with a blade grinderit will make better coffee than using pre-ground beans.

GRINDER FEATURES TO CONSIDER

SPEED Most grinders work at a reasonable speed, but if you have your eye on a certain model you should check out some reviews and see if anyone complains about the speed (or lack thereof) before you make a purchase. DOSER A doser on a grinder is a large cylinder in the front of the grinder that receives the grounds. Not all grinders have one, and it makes preparing espresso easier because you to lock your portafilter into it and do something else while it fills with grounds. GRIND SETTING All burr grinders have some type of grind setting adjustment. Some grinders dont allow much adjustment, however, so you should make sure you get one that fits your needs.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN GRINDERS?

Static, noise, safety, and ease of cleaning are important factors to consider when buying a grinder.

THE UNSUNG HERO OF COFFEE: THE GRINDER

13

NOISE Some grinders are extremely loud, which can be very annoying. The Capresso conical burr grinders (Infinity) and the Capresso blade grinders (Cool Grind) are among the least noisy. SAFETY Blade grinders cannot operate without the lid in place. In addition, the Capresso Cool Grind series has the fastest blade stopping action of any blade grinder on the market. Most burr grinders will not grind when there are no beans present, regardless if the grinder is open or closed. The Capresso conical burr grinders will not grind if the bean container is missing or not locked in place. EASE OF CLEANING Most grinders come with a cleaning brush and have removable upper burrs for easy cleaning of the grinding chamber.

TIME TO GET A GRINDER!

Fit a top-notch grinder into your coffee budget. Trust me, itll make such a difference in your coffee that you wont regret it! You can get a good conical burr grinder for $100 $200, and its well worth it. If you want to see which brands and models I recommend, I maintain a list of good grinders at www.makingespresso.com.

DONT FORGET THE WATER!

CRAPPY WATER MAKES CRAPPY COFFEE. Metals, chemicals, and minerals can all ruin your espresso regardless of how good your blend, machines, grinder, and skills are. My choice for water filtration is an under-the-counter reverse osmosis system. Reverse-osmosis produces clean, crisp, and contaminant-free water, and good entry-level systems cost only $200-300. The only recurring expense is changing a filter every 6 months or so ($35). If you dont want to spend that much, you can get cheap but effective filters from companies like Pur and Brita.

FINALLY! THE SECRET TO MAKING THE ULTIMATE CUP OF COFFEE IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME!

If you liked this book, then youll love How to Make Coffee So Good Youll Never Waste Money on Starbucks Again, because thats where this information came from! How to Make Coffee So Good Youll Never Waste Money on Starbucks Again reveals things like... How to pick the right coffee machine and get the most bang for your buck, regardless of your budget. (Please don't buy a drip brewer before reading this chapter!) Everything you need to know about coffee beans to master the art of creating incredible blends that create rich, complex coffee. You'll be blown away by how much better your coffee will be when you use this information. Why you should seriously consider getting a coffee grinder, and which types are the best for making coffee. The step-by-step, no-fail method of brewing sweet, decadent coffee every time. Say goodbye to coffee that's too weak or strong or bitter, and say hello sweet, aromatic indulgences.

30 delicious coffee recipes including classics that are to die for, espresso drinks that every coffee lover should try, holiday drinks that will make you cheer, and dessert drinks that are like heaven in a cup. And a whole lot more!

Click here to learn more about this book!