Clearly Coffee

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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QUESTION: Which coffee has the least pesticides? I just learned about the pesticides some coffee can contain and want to avoid it. — Demetrius T.

ANSWER: In short, organic coffees will have no chemical pesticides. Conventional coffee, on the other hand, gets treated with more chemicals than most of the other foods in the world. It makes sense that you’d try to avoid consuming these chemicals and pesticides in your coffee. Nobody wants to worry about toxins and chemicals in their cup when they’re trying to enjoy their coffee. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between organic and conventional coffee, we’ll talk about shopping for organic coffee, and we’ll recommend some organic coffee brands that have no chemical coffee pesticides.

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by Annette F

Are you looking for a great coffee shop in San Antonio Texas? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up all the coolest independent and local coffee shops in San Antonio — and there are plenty to choose from. We have provided the addresses and just a bit of information on each one so you can browse them and figure out which one you’d like to visit. You can get your caffeine fix at any of these local coffee shops and you may find a few surprises as well.

These are primarily local businesses. We didn’t bother listing places like Starbucks, because you can find those easily yourself with any app.

In this article, we’ve attempted to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a local resident looking for a new regular spot to get your morning caffeine fix or a visitor eager to explore the city’s coffee scene, this guide is designed to help you quickly scan through and discover which of these San Antonio coffee shops might be appealing to you.

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