Extracting the Coffee Flavor
The beverage called coffee is the result of mixing dry coffee with water. The combination can be done by one of many methods - ranging from the very simple, with the minimum of equipment - to the use of complex coffee machines which can cost thousands of dollars. Understanding a few facts about coffee brewing can help answer some of the questions which arise when wondering which brewing method to use.
A single coffee bean is an extremely complex entity, being composed of literally hundreds of substances, many of which are water-soluble. Nearly one-third of these water-soluble compounds can be removed in normal extraction processes. The goal of brewing coffee, however, is not to extract the greatest number of elements from ground coffee, because not all of them are desirable.
Expert tasters generally agree that the overall coffee flavor, which consists of color, aroma, taste and body, is best when about 18-22 percent of the flavor components have left the solid coffee and infused into the water. When more then 22 percent of the extractable materials permeated into the water, over-extraction occurs and harsh flavors are added to the brew, as the last substances to leave the grounds are unpleasant and bitter.
A second technical consideration is that, even if only the best flavored components have been extracted from the coffee, the cup flavor can be too concentrated or too diluted, depending on how much water is used. Again, most expert tasters generally agree that a cup of coffee tastes best when the liquid consists of between 98.4 - 98.7 percent water and 1.3 - 1.6 percent "soluble solids", the latter being what would be left if a cup of liquid coffee was reduced back to dry ingredients by an evaporation process. This ideal coffee strength is easily achieved by controlling the proportion of ground coffee to water, which for European tastes ranges between 50-75g per 1 liter of water. Many would consider normal strength coffee as one brewed at about 55g per liter of water. Much of North America drinks a weaker cup.
The most beautiful and expensive coffee machines do not always produce the most satisfying cup of coffee, and when choosing coffee-brewing equipment, consideration must be given to whether the design allows for a correct balance of brewing factors, as well as taking into account various safety aspects.
Cindy is the host of http://www.making-coffee.com, a free website resource about making, brewing and preparing a perfect cup of coffee.
Besides, she is also the host for http://www.vietnamese-recipes.com and http://www.asianonlinerecipes.com
Latest News
![]() Washington Post | Coffee Keeps Close To The Football BamaMag.com - Alabama junior tailback Glen Coffee was watching television last Saturday afternoon when something bad happened. Coffee was racing downfield late in the ... Video: Number 2 'Bama Edges Kentucky 17-14 DANGER: HOT COFFEE Alabama back Coffee rushes into spotlight |
/CORRECTION -- Peet's Coffee & Tea, Inc. / MarketWatch - Complete, corrected release follows: Peet's Coffee & Tea, Inc. Elects Ted W. Hall to Board of Directors , , ) , the premier specialty coffee and tea company ... |
![]() ABC News | Starbucks' wasteful ways TVNZ, New Zealand - When it comes to coffee there's no better known brand than Starbucks, and with more than 10000 stores worldwide it boasts social and environmental ... Wasted: 23 million litres of water a day Starbucks Wasting Water? Starbucks criticised for wasting water |
WROC-TV | Supermarket teams up with coffee shop WIVB, NY - (WIVB) - Tops Friendly Markets is making it even easier for you to get a cup of 'Joe from a popular coffee shop. The supermarket chain announced Tuesday ... Tops Friendly Markets and Tim Hortons Sign an Exclusive Agreement ... A Natural Move for Tim Hortons & Tops Tim Hortons presses ahead with US expansion |
The little coffee shop that could gets the boot KOMO News, WA - By KOMO Staff SEATTLE -- A legendary South Lake Union coffee shop known for rabble rousing, politically incorrect T-shirts and trolley criticism is being ... Kapow! update: Looking for a new location |
Obama Leads Coffee Cup Polls WLAC, TN - Convenience store chain 7-Eleven has launched a coffee cup poll to determine patrons' favorite presidential candidates. Java drinkers can pick a red cup for ... 7-Eleven again offers coffee cup election poll Presidential Perks: New Englanders Raise Their Cups to Candidates ... Cream to rise to top in coffee-cup 'election' |
Daily Nation | Late funds threaten coffee yield Daily Nation, Kenya - Farmers sort out coffee berries at a factory. The harvest of the crop is threatened by a delay in releasing funds. Photo/FILE By Muchemi Wachira (email the ... |
Haitian coffee tastings at TiGeorges' Chicken Los Angeles Times, CA - George Laguerre, chef-owner of TiGeorges' Chicken, has decided that many folks don't know just how good his Haitian coffee is. So he's hosting free coffee ... |
'Bama's Coffee, Cody added to awards watch list WHNT, AL - (AP) - Alabama running back Glen Coffee and nose guard Terrence Cody have been placed on the Maxwell Football Club Awards watch list. ... Why is Saban Alabama's coach... and other stuff! |
Kenya coffee prices fall in line with New York Reuters South Africa, South Africa - NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan coffee prices fell again at Tuesday's sale, pushed down by a slide on the New York market, despite better quality beans on offer, ... |
Resources
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Coffee Shop Business Plan - Coffee Shop Franchise Opportunity - Start a Coffee Shop
Book on 49 mistakes we made in the espresso Coffee shop cafe business plus 29 recipes, forms, checklists. $104 aff. commission.
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How to make Coffee
Learn the secrets to making great Coffee
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Mixed drink recipes for the holidays
Champagne punch recipes, mulled wine, stylish bar drinks, eggnog recipes, flaming Coffee drinks, festive jello shots, and homemade liqueur recipes including kahlua, Irish Coffee, apple, blackberry, apricot, cranberry and more.

