Coffee Explanations

by Nigel Ong

One of the more unique ways to enjoy coffee is to drink Turkish coffee. It is a traditional and rich coffee that can rival espresso in taste and intensity. What is Turkish coffee, and how do you enjoy it?

Turkish coffee is commonly prepared using finely ground coffee beans and simmered in a small pot called a Cezve. Turkish coffee is best enjoyed hot in a small cup, with sweet tidbits such as Turkish Delights or Baklava. 

This post explores what makes Turkish coffee different and how you prepare one. You will also discover what a good cup of Turkish coffee tastes like and how you can best enjoy your cup.

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QUESTION: I recently drank some blonde roast coffee for the first time because they were out of dark roast and I didn’t want to wait for them to brew more. To my great surprise, I felt much more stimulated after them than after having the dark roasted Italian coffee I usually drink. Hence my question: Is blonde roast stronger coffee? – Ezra G

DARREN OLIVER AT CLEARLY COFFEE REPLIES: An experience of this type is not at all uncommon! Many people are surprised by the boost that light-roasted coffee gives them. Why? In my opinion, this is mainly due to the lack of a strict definition of what exactly “strong” coffee is. But before we talk about that, let’s briefly explain what a blonde roast is.

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by Darren Oliver

It has happened to each of us: you open a packet of freshly roasted, aromatic beans, brew them in your favorite brewer, pour it into a cup, take the first sip, and… something is wrong. Instead of rich, intense aromas, you feel only bitterness, an unpleasant aftertaste, and even dryness in your mouth.

What happened? Well, probably your coffee was over extracted. However, don’t worry! In this article, we’ll explain the science behind over extraction, its symptoms, and solutions to help you brew the perfect, flavor-balanced coffee.

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by Lars Hundley

On a recent trip to Paris, I realized that there was a coffee option I kept seeing on the menu in various cafes that I was not familiar with — a noisette. What was it? I asked the waiter behind the bar in a cafe and then ordered a couple at different cafes to try it out and taste for myself.

First of all, if you speak some French, then the name of this coffee might confuse you and give you a misleading idea of what it actually is! The French word noisette means hazelnut.

But a noisette coffee has NO hazelnut or hazelnut flavoring in it. It’s called that because of the color of the resulting coffee drink, which is a brown color similar to the color of a hazelnut. Not because there is any actual hazelnut as an ingredient or flavoring.

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by Darren Oliver

During the first coffee training, every barista must master one basic art: brewing a good espresso. It is this beverage, which originated in Italy, that is the absolute foundation that allows you to make many other brews: lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites… all these coffees can be made once you fully understand what espresso brewing is all about.

However, by mastering this difficult art, you gain another option: after all, espresso has its variations, and two of the most popular are ristretto and long coffee. So today we’ll discuss how to brew both, discuss the particular characteristics that differentiate them from each other, and finally answer some questions that novice coffee drinkers may have.

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QUESTION: What are the cleanest coffee brands? I am looking for coffee that’s free of pesticides, but also free of mycotoxins. In other words, I want the purest coffee, and I want it to be mold free coffee. – Jules F

CLEARLY COFFEE REPLIES: Coffee drinkers choose clean and/or organic coffee brands for many different reasons. Perhaps they want to know that their money is going towards sustainable coffee and an environmentally friendly product. Maybe they just enjoy the taste of organic coffees more than big corporate coffee. Or maybe it’s all about getting a clean, unadulterated product that you can trust. In your case we know you’re looking for organic and mycotoxin free.

I’ve gathered up a list for you below, and tried most of these coffees personally.

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by Matt Gibson

Folgers coffee has been on the market since the 1850’s, and Maxwell house has been around since 1892, so both of these budget coffee corporations have been around for quite some time, providing American household coffee drinkers with ready-to-brew, freshly roasted and ground coffee. Maxwell House has enjoyed superiority over Folgers as the number one coffee in America for nearly 100 years, but became the runner-up to Folgers in the 1990’s. Folgers has held the title of America’s number one budget coffee brand ever since. 

In 2007, Maxwell House decided to use nothing but 100% arabica beans in their coffee blend, which gave them a noticeable edge over Folgers in taste, aroma, and overall quality. However, using 100% arabica beans is pricey, and in order to maintain competitive prices with Folgers and other budget brands, Maxwell House eventually had to go back to using a blend of both arabica and robusta beans to the detriment of their product. 

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QUESTION: What’s wrong with Folgers coffee? I think it’s good and a lot of those fancy coffees are just bitter and disgusting. – Bill B

ANSWER: There is nothing specifically wrong with Folgers coffee. Classic Folgers has a rich history in the United States and is an iconic American brand. It is one of the best selling brands of coffee in the country, and a staple in many households. Many coffee drinkers, especially in America, where Folgers originated and is still popular to this day, have been purchasing, brewing, and enjoying Folgers brand coffee for their entire lives. The brand’s slogan, “the best part of waking up, is Folgers in your cup,” is permanently etched into the memory of a large percentage of American families as is the timeless tradition of Folgers.

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