We’ll probably meet someone who believes they know everything about coffee and is way too pretentious because of it. Talking to them is a challenge, not only because they act superior, but also because you just know that you like to drink coffee without any special knowledge.
This way, you won’t feel stupid next time you meet a coffee snob. We’ve put together some facts that you can use to show them that you, too, know a thing or two about coffee – everyone’s favorite hot beverage.
Coffee Facts
1. Arabica vs Robusta
Arabicas are a species of coffee plant. There are 120 varieties of coffee plant. Arabicas look slightly different from other varieties, they need different conditions to grow in, and they differ in taste and body.
Arabica coffee is better tasting than Robusta coffee because it contains less caffeine. Caffeine carries bitter tastes, so Robusta coffee, which contains almost twice as much caffeine as Arabica coffee, tastes burnt and rubbery. You will never find a bag of coffee beans that is 100% Robusta, because coffee companies usually blend the two types of coffee beans together.
The Robusta bean is mostly used to produce instant coffee. The taste is not as important as the caffeine boost. Robusta is popular because it is cheaper than Arabica and easier to grow in large quantities.
2. Standard coffee vs. specialty coffee
Specialty coffee is basically high-quality coffee.
sca coffee beans classification scale: Specialty coffee beans are Arabica beans that have been tested by a certified Q grader and have received a score of 80 or higher on the SCA coffee beans classification scale. The SCA scale looks at the number of defects in the beans, with fewer defects indicating a higher quality bean.
In order to achieve the lowest possible number of defects, the entire production process must adhere to high quality standards. This includes cultivation of the beans in the best possible conditions, careful harvesting only when they are actually ripe, and roasting to perfection.
3. Flavor and aromas
There are approximately 800 possible aromas in coffee, which is 300 more than in wine.
You will not be able to tell the difference between all these flavors as a novice. It takes a lot of training, time, and coffee to develop the ability to distinguish flavors like a professional coffee taster.
Try to taste your coffee more knowingly, and find out which basic flavors you like best (bitter, acidic, etc.) You can find many tutorials online explaining how to properly taste coffee and what to pay attention to.
4. Caffeine
The main reason most people drink coffee is because it contains caffeine, which helps them wake up in the morning. Coffee is also great because it tastes good. However, the amount of caffeine in coffee varies depending on the type of coffee bean and how it is prepared.
Even though espresso has a higher percentage of caffeine, you normally only drink a small amount of it. Filter coffee contains less caffeine, but you drink more of it.
How much coffee you use, the amount and temperature of the water, and how much time you allow the water to extract the caffeine all affect how much caffeine is in your drink.
5. Brewing
If you want a good cup of coffee, you don’t necessarily need a fancy machine. It all depends on your taste and preferences.
The goal is to get the perfect amount of coffee extracted into the water. If too little coffee ends up in the cup, it will be weak and sour. If too much coffee is extracted, it will be bitter and have an ash flavor.
The best way to have coffee that always tastes good is to measure everything. Find a tutorial on your preferred brewing method and follow it closely. After that, it’s just a process of trial and error. Keep brewing until you find the perfect coffee for you. By measuring everything, you will be able to recreate the same taste every time.
Best Coffee Makers For Coffee Snobs
1. Best Automatic Pour-Over Coffee Maker – Breville Precision Brewer Glass Coffee Maker
Brewing Process: Drip
- Makes regular, iced, and cold brew coffee
- 60 oz capacity
- SCA approved
- Can fit a pour-over adapter on
Pros
- Makes the best cup of coffee
- Can make iced and cold brew
- Adjustable brewing temperature
- Looks sleek and modern
- Hot plate stays on for 2 hours
Cons
- Only a 2-year warranty
- Quite tall at 15.7 inches
- Could be a little easier to deep clean
The Breville Precision Brewer makes it easy to make a SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) approved cup of coffee with just one touch.
The other settings on the machine are also pretty neat– one for making cold brew, one for iced coffee. You can also choose to make a stronger or faster coffee, or choose the My Brew setting.
Using my brew, you can get in and change the water temperature and flow rate to your liking. This is perfect for those who want to be able to tweak the details, but it’s not necessary if you don’t want to.
2. Best Espresso Machine – Breville Barista Express Coffee Machine
Brewing Process: Espresso
- All-in-one espresso machine
- Makes amazing espresso, easily
- Easy to maintain
- Built-in milk frother
Pros
- Can enjoy barista-made drinks at home
- Easy to use
- Delicious espresso
- Looks awesome
Cons
- ????Not a huge amount of control if you want to play with it
- Takes a little time to clean
- Drip catcher could be a little bigger
There is no doubt that the Breville Barista Express is the best home espresso machine around.
This machine has a built-in adjustable conical burr grinder, built in tamper, and PID temperature control; making it the perfect espresso solution to any coffee lover’s cravings.
To make a great cup of Espresso, simply follow these three steps.
- Place the portafilter under the grinder and dispense some coffee
- Press the ground coffee down with the tamper
- Secure the portafilter in the group head and press go.
You can make espresso without leaving your house in less than a minute.
The coffee you get from the Breville drip machine is different from the coffee you get from an espresso machine. People usually want one or the other, so it’s up to you to decide what you want.
3. Best Pour-Over Coffee Brewer – Chemex
Brewing Process: Pour-Over
- Made of borosilicate glass which will not affect the flavor of your coffee
- Sleek and stylish
- A world-famous coffee gadget
- Simple and easy to use
Pros
- ????Very stylish
- Fits in a cupboard
- Makes superb coffee
- Can be kept hot on the stove
Cons
- ????Takes more work to use
- If not used properly makes sub par coffee
The Chemex is a coffee maker that is both simple and minimalistic in design, yet produces a cup of coffee that is complex in flavor.
The Chemex is a simple design that is perfect for making pour-over coffee.
The pour-over brewing method gives the brewer complete control over the brew. You can control the temperature of the water, how much water and coffee is used, and how the water flows over the coffee grounds.
The only other brewing process that provides the same level of control as manual pour-over is an automatic espresso machine, but that is a different story altogether.
The Chemex is designed to make the best possible pour-over coffee. The borosilicate glass is non-porous, so it won’t affect the flavor of the coffee. The shape supports the coffee filter and doubles as a coffee-serving vessel.
4. Best French Press – Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
Brewing Process: French Press
- Versatile brew
- Easy to tweak to your taste
- Choose from a range of colors
- Available in four sizes from 12 ounces to 51 ounces
- Shatterproof Glass Carafe Option
- Easy to clean
Pros
- Always classy to use
- Lots of control over the brew process
- Can vary how much coffee you make
Cons
- ????Coffee is thicker than most are used to
- Can go wrong easily
- requires a scale for proper use
The French Press is a classic coffee maker that has been around for a long time. I made my first batch of coffee at home using a French Press.
The French Press is the standard for many coffee-lovers worldwide, but there is a wide range of quality you can produce from this brewing process. It is one seriously tweakable brewing process; it just takes a quality product to get the best out of the brew.
You should grind your coffee beans more coarsely than you would for a drip machine if you’re using a French Press.
A French Press coffee should have a 1:12 coffee to water ratio. That means 1 gram of coffee for every 12 grams of water. This can be adjusted to your preference.
The best temperature to brew coffee is between 195°F and 205°F.
Lastly, the coffee should brew for 4 minutes before pressing the plunger down. The plunger should not be pressed all the way down, but should be left a little bit away from the top of the settled grounds.
The Bodum French press is designed to make it easy to brew coffee using the French press method. The press is both attractive and functional.
It has a tight seal to keep grounds from leaking through and the glass and metal components won’t affect the flavor. The filter is easy to take apart and clean.
When something is not only practical, but also looks good, it becomes a special part of our everyday lives.
5. Bonavita Connoisseur One-Touch 8-Cup Coffee Maker BV1901TS
Brewing Process: Drip
- Thermal carafe
- Accepts diner-style cupcake coffee filters
- Pre-infusion option to allow your coffee to bloom
- Simple and easy to use, no fuss
Pros
- ????Coffee stays hot for hours
- Pre-infusion setting
- Easy pour spout works
- Great price for the quality
Cons
- ???????Can’t brew with the lid on
- Not the easiest water tank to fill
- Need somewhere to store the lid
The Bonavita Connoisseur has a hanging filter basket that has a design similar to the ones used in drip machines in diners. The difference is that the filter basket is shaped like a cupcake, rather than the typical cone-shaped design.
Cupcake-style coffee filters help to evenly distribute the coffee grounds, whereas conical filters have the potential to extract too much coffee from the center and not enough from the edges.
The design of Bonavita’s coffee maker is very simple and easy to use. You just need to load the coffee and beans into the machine, and with one touch, it will start brewing.
This coffee maker comes with an option to pre-infuse the grounds before brewing. This moistens the grounds and allows the water to soak in, which prevents bitterness and makes for a better brew.
Takeaway
Remember that the most important thing about coffee is that you enjoy it. The next time you meet a coffee snob, you will be able to keep up with the conversation and even offer your own opinion. Start experimenting to find your perfect cup of coffee.