Recent content by CafeBlue

2 level tablespoons per cup is the "standard" and it does work. Some folks adjust to "taste preference" - usually it is more coffee for northern Europeans / less coffee for folks drinking low grade commercial coffee. Many of the coffee drinkers using less than 2 tablespoons per cup are brewing...

Cascade automatic dishwashing detergent works well to clean thermal caraffes, stainless steel and glass. Just pour about a teaspoon of powder or gel into the caraffe, then fill with hot water. Stir it with a brush to clean any stubborn stains, then empty and rinse clear. The advantage to...

What can be better than fresh cherry pie and a damn good cup of coffee?!?

Hi Lizzy; Try a rolling 6 foot tall bakery rack. You can get a zip-off cover for it and use it as a proofer as well as a cooling rack. Since it is on casters, you can wheel it into your floorspace between the worktable and the oven when you need to fill it or unload to the worktable. Then...

Java Jacket or other custom-printed sleeve on "stock" cups is likely the best route for a start-up penny-pincher. Some indie operators also use a rubber stamp...if you have a DIY, organic or rustic look to your brand image. On the other hand, if you cannot afford the cost of proper brand image...

The industry standard for high quality coffee is 2 level tablespoons of ground coffee per cup (6 fluid ounce) of brewed coffee. If you actually research different industry groups and read different manufacturers' recommendations you will find a variety of "standards" and also recommendations to...

roasting - skill, style, passion, knowledge, technology ??? Passion, green selection, blending and roast profiling skills have EVERYTHING to do with the cup quality of the roast. While a profiling system and technology and mechanical aids to replicate a roast profile are valuable (perhaps...

You already answered your own questions, and answered appropriately. You REALLY are passionate about it, you have credible reasons, you can articulate the reasons and benefits to your customers. Of course you will charge appropriately...your costs must be factored into your retail pricing, or...

Not to rub salt in your wound, but I just realized that you are asking questions that should have had serious attention paid months prior to your opening. Let this be a lesson to all potential start-ups ... do your homework before you open. "Due diligence" is not merely a catch phrase. Looking...

roaster type Qban; An interesting topic that can stir many long-winded and highly opinionated discussions beween participants holding diverse opinions - especially at a venue such as the roasters guild. I once heard a roaster state that "drum roasters suck", while another responded cheerily...

green By the way, green coffee is best stored in climate controlled conditions. However it ships via container box around the world all through the seasons and via freight truck every day. During transit, it is often exposed to extreme conditions. Frozen green is not necessarily significantly...

Fresh coffee rant Please do not take offense Diablo, I know YOU are smarter than this suggests. How many other people are just living in denial? Freezing coffee - any food - is a viable way to extend usable foodsafe shelf-life. Freezing is NOT a viable way to prolong FRESHNESS. Experiment...

fresh versus frozen (stale?) Frozen coffee may be food-safe, yet will not taste as great as fresh-never-frozen coffee of the same batch. Frozen seafood never tastes as great as fresh seafood. Even if you simply freeze, then prepare the food or coffee it will not taste as pristinely flavorful...

Well that is an indication that your local shop is not brewing the best espresso possible with the equipment they have. :shock: :twisted: More power to you! Try a few different espresso blends/roasts to find out if you can get an even better result. A little practice and you might be ready...

Chicago is a great city, enjoy your trip. Intelligentsia Coffee is a "must see" for you - they have a few cafe's and a roastery. Intelly's "Black Cat" espresso is very popular. Perhaps more interesting are some of their special purchase coffees such as Cup of Excellence auction lots. Metropolis...