30A: Coffee Follow-up 1

Key takeaways

Improving your coffee setup with quality equipment can significantly enhance your coffee experience.
Grind size and freshness are crucial factors that impact the taste of your coffee.
Cold brew coffee offers a different flavor profile and brewing method that is gaining popularity.
Accurate dosages and measurements can lead to better brewing results and prevent over-caffeination.
Investing in quality coffee beans may reduce overall costs while improving taste and enjoyment.
Understanding cultural differences in coffee drinking can shape your cafe experiences and expectations.

Summary

Coffee Setup Improvements

John shares updates on his coffee setup since the previous episode, including a downgrade in microphone quality due to technical issues leading him to revert to a USB-powered mic. He discusses the interesting topic of milk frothers and describes his latest purchase, the Brevo BMF600, a highly praised milk warmer and frother. Marco and John delve into the details of milk preferences and emphasize the importance of equipment in crafting a great coffee.

Grinders and Brewing Techniques

The conversation shifts to coffee grinding, where John reveals his transition from a manual grinder to a more advanced Baratza Preciso grinder. They discuss the pros and cons of various grinders, the importance of grind size in coffee flavor, and how freshly ground coffee can alter the brewing experience, particularly with the AeroPress. They explore how to overcome the challenges of coffee strength with different brewing methods.

Cold Brew Coffee Experiments

John recounts his accidental experience with cold brew coffee made with cold water in an AeroPress, and they delve into the differences between cold brew and hot brewed coffee. They touch on the popularity of cold brew, the Toddy cold brew system, and its effectiveness, while sharing tidbits on the extraction method's subtleties.

Coffee Measurements and Concentrations

They then discuss coffee measurements and concentrations, with John realizing he uses significantly more coffee than average in his drinks. The duo shares insights into dose ratios, the importance of measuring coffee accurately, and experimenting with brew strength to achieve desired effects without excessive caffeine.

Cost Analysis of Coffee

John provides a breakdown of his coffee costs while comparing local roasters in Australia to high-end brands in the US. He emphasizes that investing in quality beans leads to better flavor and overall enjoyment, ultimately saving money by reducing reliance on sweeteners and syrups.

Cultural Perspectives on Coffee Drinking

The episode wraps up with a thoughtful discussion about the subtle differences between Australian and American coffee drinking cultures, including cafe etiquette and expectations around customer behavior. They also discuss preferences for house coffee and the implications this has on consumer culture.

Show notes

Follow up (Part A) to Coffee where Marco and John revisit Johns coffee setup, oxalates, different milk warmer/frothers, portafilters, cold-brew coffee, reasons why grounds are left behind when you pop an AeroPress filter off and lots and lots more.
With Marco Arment and John Chidgey.