FAQ

Black coffee refers to coffee that is brewed without any additives or flavorings, such as sugar, milk, or cream. It's essentially just coffee and water. Black coffee can be machine brewed or manually brewed.

Black coffee that is machine brewed is more commonly known as an Americano while black coffee that is manually brewed is known as Filter Coffee.

The machine that brews black coffee is called an espresso machine, and simply put an espresso machine passes water through coffee at a high pressure and the coffee extraction is very fast. This leads to a pulling out of a lot of soluble compounds in the coffee.

Manual brewed coffee on the other hand means that a filter is in place and coffee is brewed slower than an espresso machine. Bottom of Form

These days these terms are used interchangeably to describe the drink. However, there is a subtle difference between both drinks and that is the reason why a flat white feels stronger in body than a cappuccino.

Flat whites are made of a thin layer of milk foam and the milk is blended more into the espresso shot. Cappuccinos on the other hand focus on the foam portion of the drink, so there is a layer of foam which creates a milkier texture in the
beverage.

Filter Coffee, also known as drip coffee, means that Coffee is brewed with a filter and that too manually. The key is that the type of filter used creates the final flavor of the cup. here are multiple methods used for filter coffee, but the most common ones in the GCC region are: AeroPress, V60, French Press.

 

Aeropress: The Aeropress brewing method produces a coffee that has a rich, smooth, and well-balanced texture. The coffee has a satisfying mouthfeel although it is not as heavy as a French Press. The beauty is that this device is simple to use and portable. Additionally, its ease of cleanup makes it a convenient option
for home, office, or travel use.

 

V60: The V60 brewing method produces a very clean and flavorful cup with bright acidity and a lighter body than a French Press and an Aeropress. V60 is considered to be the coffee aficionados’ cup as they are in search of the perfect cup. Furthermore, this method enhances the aromatic complexity of the coffee, releasing fragrant oils and volatile compounds that contribute to the overall sensory experience. If one enjoys complex acidity in the coffee, then this brewing method is ideal.

French Press: The French Press is a very simple method of brewing and generally is known as a plunger pot. It is the easiest method of brewing as there are very limited variables involved. The French Press typically has a heavier body than other brewing methods, and gives a robust cup of coffee.

There is no best type of Roast. Each Roast has its own unique character, and everyone has their own preferences. According to us, the best type of roast is the roast one drinks when they grow up. Coffee is not meant to be right or wrong, it is about the memories and taste one seeks for. Each region of the world drinks coffee differently, hence there are different roast profiles. Otherwise, coffee wouldn’t be such a subjective subject in the world. However, there are 3 general styles of roast: Light, Medium, and Dark. The degree of these styles depends upon the roaster.

Light Roast:

Light roast coffee refers to coffee beans that have been roasted for a shorter period of time compared to medium or dark roasts. This type of roasting results in beans that are light brown in color and have no oil on the surface.

Light roast coffee tends to have a more complex and pronounced flavor profile. It retains more of the original flavors of the coffee bean, including fruity, floral, and acidic notes. This is because the shorter roasting time preserves more of the bean's inherent characteristics. Light roasts often have a higher acidity level, and the body of light roast coffee is generally lighter.

Medium Roast:

Medium roast coffee is characterized by a balance between the original flavors of the coffee bean and the roasted notes developed during the roasting process. This type of roast is preferred for its well-rounded flavor profile. It is generally less acidic than light roast coffee, with a smoother, more balanced taste.

The caffeine content in medium roast coffee is slightly less than that in light roast coffee but more than in dark roast coffee. The body is fuller and richer as compared to a light roast, but is also well balanced.

Dark:

Dark roast coffee is known for its bold, robust flavor profile that emphasizes the roasting process over the beans' original characteristics. Dark roast coffee typically has a pronounced roasted flavor and has a strong body. Dark roasts have a fuller body and a richer, often more oily mouthfeel. This gives the coffee a thicker, more substantial texture compared to lighter roasts.

Coffee grows in a certain part of the world, namely between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Each region has different climatic conditions and the micronutrients which lead to flavor development in coffee. Typically, people believe that roasting creates the flavors in coffee. On the contrary, roasting just unlocks the flavors inside the coffee bean.

However, the key point to note is that there are majorly two types of beans: Arabica and Robusta. The growing conditions of each type are separate, and the production of each type is seasonal.

Coffee is technically a fruit and a seed, but we are normally most familiar with the seed. The coffee plant produces a fruit known as coffee cherries. Inside, the cherry there are two seeds which are known coffee beans. The two seeds are then what we know as coffee beans, after the roasting process we can consume it.

An espresso shot means that coffee is made from an Espresso Machine. The shot is extraction that occurs at a high pressure. This is also the reason why an espresso shot feels more concentrated than a filter coffee.

The espresso shot has multiple characteristics in terms of taste profile and serves the base for all milk-based beverages. Similarly, each origin contributes to a different flavor of espresso. Hence, we believe that the best espresso shot is always subject to the individual’s taste preferences.

Typically, the industry utilizes 18 grams to make a Double shot of Espresso (36 ml), but more than the grammage of coffee it is about the grind size. The first step before putting in the 18 grams is to check for the correct grind size.

If the grinding is too fine, the espresso shot won’t flow smoothly. However, if the grinding is too coarse, the espresso shot will flow quickly. The idea is to have the shot flow smoothly and typically the range is 20-25 seconds.

This is not a rule of thumb as each coffee behaves slightly different when it comes to brewing, but it is just a guideline.

Yes, coffee has its own inherent flavor. The key factors influencing the coffee flavors are:

1) Origin,

2) Plant Varietal,

3) Processing Method.

 

To understand coffee flavors better, the coffee industry has a created a concept called cupping. Cupping is a standardized process whereby certain parameters are evaluated and scored. The scoring mechanism is what describes the flavors of coffee.

Yes, here at the Brew Crew we believe that the café experience should be replicable at home. The industry has now shifted towards providing more user-friendly machines to people. Our goal here is to teach people how to make the best cup of coffee with the resources they have. It is not about having the most expensive equipment, but about having the correct tools to brew coffee.

Here at Brew Crew, we believe that sugar is only needed if the coffee isn’t good. High quality coffee should be smooth and mild. Bitterness is a part of coffee, but good roasting allows for control of bitterness.

Coffee can taste bitter due to several factors: Type of coffee bean, The Roasting process, and The Brewing Technique.

compared to Arabica beans. If your coffee is made from Robusta beans or a blend that includes Robusta, it will taste more bitter.