The Clever Coffee Dripper has to be one of the easiest brewing methods to master. It combines a period of immersion brewing after which the coffee is filtered – essentially it’s like brewing in a coffee press (cafetiere) without the sediment which can sometimes be left behind. How does it work? The secret to the…
Author: Gareth Kemble
A Name Change
This week we are making some changes to the names of our espresso blends. Our Seasonal Espresso Blend will become Latitude Espresso. This will remain our flagship blend and allows us the latitude to utilise coffees we enjoy drinking. It will usually contain African components and will have more of a fruity flavour profile.This coffee…
Coffee Strength
We often get asked to recommend a coffee based on its strength. Traditionally the coffee industry has added strength guides to bags which over the years have become embedded in our minds. We perceive some coffees to be stronger than others so it makes sense to contact a roaster to ask which is their strongest…
First Impressions: Victoria Arduino MDH Espresso Grinder
The MDH is the latest espresso grinder from Victoria Arduino and this one is specifically designed for home or office use. We’re already familiar with its more commercial siblings, the Mythos One, MDJ and MDXS so having put one to the test for a few days we thought we’d share our first impressions. Out of…
Creating a blend: a footnote
One question we’ve been asked many times is whether we can create a bespoke blend for a customer. Our answer has always been ‘no’ and that can often be hard for a business; invariably that potential customer will look for a different roaster even if the coffee is not as good. I’m sure we’ll be…
A Spotlight on Levens Kitchen
Where is it? In quite simply one of the most picturesque settings you could imagine – in a new purpose- built, architecturally stunning space within the grounds of the Elizabethan House, Levens Hall alongside the world-famous topiary gardens. Levens Hall is located at the gateway to the Lake District National Park on the edge of…
Coffee Roasting: the colour change
Throughout the process of roasting coffee the beans go through numerous chemical and physical changes. In this post we’re going to delve into the colour changes which occur from green bean to the final roasted product. You can also watch our latest video on this topic! Why not subscribe to our YouTube channel to make…
Don’t expect it cheaper!
Yesterday saw the start of a six month long reduction in VAT for hospitality businesses, along with some attractions. Between 15th July 2020 and 12th January 2021 your local coffee shop will only need to charge VAT at 5% rather than the standard 20%. This is a much needed lifeline for the industry and a…
Being a Coffee Shop Customer (in the new normal)
This weekend many of our customers will be opening their doors to customers for the first time since late March. While it is a welcome relief to us all it is also going to be a worrying and challenging time. Somehow they will have to adhere to social distancing rules, protect the welfare of customers…
Coffee Brewing Scales
A set of coffee brewing scales are a ‘must have’ if you want to improve the quality of your coffee brewing and achieve a professional level of consistency. There are a number of scales on the market to suit most budgets; the more you spend, the more features you are likely to have on the…
Choosing a Coffee Grinder
There is no doubt that the aroma and flavour of freshly ground coffee far exceeds that of a pre-ground product. The volatile compounds which give coffee its character and flavour are far more protected in whole bean form allowing you to unleash the potential of the coffee at the moment of brewing. There are a…
The Carvetii Guide to the V60
The V60 is a pourover coffee brewer developed by Hario, a Japanese glass company, and released in 2004. While many other brands and styles of pourer brewer exist, the V60 has become one of the iconic brands of the specialty industry, and a whole gamut of accessories has grown up around this relatively simple concept….
