 5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. Do you speak coffee? As our country becomes more mud-obsessed and cafés continue to perk up their brewed offerings, it's easy to feel sluggish toward ordering your morning caffeine drip - especially if you aren't steeped in the coffee culture. Don't get verklempt - it's just coffee talk. And Sean Henry, the owner and barista of Houndstooth Coffee in Austin, Texas, is here to spill the beans on the brew vernacular. Beyond the Dark and Into the Light - Words to Up Your Coffee Vocabulary: Sean Henry Types to look out for include Catuai, Caturra, Maragogype, SL-28 and SL-34, Ethiopian Heirloom and Bourbon. Check the label next time you pick up a bag." 2. Brightness Like a preference for a specific varietal of apple, you may prefer the brightness of one coffee over another. As a general rule, washed coffees have a greater brightness than natural or pulp-natural coffees, but roast and brew method can also affect our perceptions of brightness." 3. Manual Brew There are two main categories for manual brewing. The first is immersion: the coffee is 'immersed' in the water throughout the brewing process - for example, using a press pot or siphon. Immersion brewing yields a full-bodied coffee with thick juicy mouthfeel. The other main category is pour-over. In this method, the water is 'poured over' the coffee using a specific technique. For example, Chemex, v60 and Kalitta. Pour-over yields a leaner coffee with varying degrees of viscosity." 4. Cupping The louder the slurp, the more experienced the cupper. This is where you get the 'notes': hints of ginger or all spice or chocolate mousse or round voluptuous body with tangerine finish. It’s all in the 'cup.'" 5. Barista Modern baristas are true coffee professionals who marry a chef and a sommelier to become an ambassador for the joy of coffee. From technique to etiquette to palate training, a barista is a title to be earned. A true barista will cultivate a coffee experience unlike any you’ve come across. Before you know it, you’ll be tasting the 'notes' and slurping like a pro." Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down. |
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Ambassador for the joy of coffee?
Ambassadors are supposed to prevent wars too, and many are losing the cultural war to a public sense of perceived snobbery. And yet when we think of "wine snob", we think of the consumer - not the purveyor. That battleground is being miserably lost.
I'm not a coffee fan but I have to have my jolt so I make myself a cup of instant cappuchino (can't ever spell that right I know ) and add just a touch of hot chocolate. It's good and it does the job and I've converted lots of my friends. :)
Whatever happened to simply enjoying a hot cup of good coffee, eating a danish, and reading the Times? The same goes for simply enjoying a beer, a liquor drink, a glass of wine, or even water. You snobs of all ilks can call your effected rituals and criticism your enjoyment but to me you make work out of pleasure.
What noise does a hairlip dog make?
Mark, mark, mark!
I love coffee. I sip it slowly and savor each taste. I try different varietals but keep coming back to Starbuck's House Blend.
Off topic: that guy's beard is the ugliest, most disgusting-looking bush I've ever seen on a man's face. Why would a nice looking man do that to himself? I wouldn't want him preparing coffee for me. Who knows what's living in that jungle?
Agreed, but he could be covering a scar.
the differing intensity between your 2 thoughts cracked me up! first you are all Zen about coffee, the WTF with the beard! i agree
What does this story have to do with the Amish guy in the picture?
Why is it a crime to like instant coffee and tap water? A pack of stevia, a splash of coffeemate, a few ice cubes and I'm good to go.
I consider myself sort of a beer snob. I like to try a new brew every time I go to the store and for the most part there isn't a style I don't like (well, maybe pils or kolsh). I still buy cheap beer for mass consumption but I don't savor it like a good microbrew.
But when it comes to coffee I'm the exact opposite. I don't dislike expensive tasting coffee, but I'd prefer non-descript ice coffee. Maybe it's because opening a microbrew bottle and a can of bud light takes the same amount of effort, not so with coffee.
and I would add some of my all-time favorite beers are coffee flavored :) Been drinking a lot of Southern Tier's Imperial Mokah lately, and as far as mainstream goes Kona's Pipeline porter was awesome (haven't seen it around much lately)
Black Label all the way baby!
I won't drink cheap beer even if it's free. It tastes nasty. Likewise, coffee is barely worth drinking if it doesn't taste good. Now, unlike cheap beer, I'll drink mediocre coffee if it's cold out and I'm tired and it's all I have available. My years in the Army did that to me. However, sometimes, it's totally worth the effort to get a higher-quality beverage.
If it's not worth it to your taste buds, then don't sweat it. But for some of us, it's worth the effort.
Simple as that.
Before you get big heads, Starbucks (and all other chains) employees, 99.9% of you are not TRUE baristas. You are know-nothing corporate coffee drones.
I'll have you know that we go through extensive training and are educated on all of our coffee blends.
For people who work at Starbucks, it's a JOB, not a career in which you'd expect them to be professionally trained. Think before you belittle someone for holding a job.
I work with a former Starbucks employee. As someone who reads up on things that interest me, I know a bit about coffee. My coworker's knowledge of coffee from working at Starbucks is leaps and bounds beyond mine.
I consider Starbucks to be overpriced with a not so great base coffee, but they make sure their staff is well-versed on what they're selling.
I roast my own coffee beans, saves money and I always have fresh coffee. Love the Ethiopian dry process coffees, incredible fruit aromas and flavors.
ethiopian harrar longberry is one of my favorites.
cool, now i know that it's tattoos and not judgmental and self-aggrandizing coffee columns that make a snoot
Come on, you know hipsters are awful. Williamsburg should be carpet bombed.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, coffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.