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The wonderful and complex aroma of fresh coffee.

183:718568257 (Brian Longley) — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 11:58:05 GMT

Do you love fresh coffee? If so you probably have a nose for it.

Throughout our website we refer to particular “tasting notes” for specific coffee beans. These “tasting notes” are tastes that have been detected by an experienced coffee taster during the accreditation process for speciality coffee beans.

Is coffee just coffee?

Well yes the main taste or flavour is what we recognize as coffee; however each coffee blend and speciality coffee bean has its own flavour profile. A particular coffee bean’s unique flavour profile builds the complete coffee flavour for that particular drink. The range of different flavours from coffee beans is remarkable.

So how do we differentiate these flavour profiles?

How do we detect “tasting notes”? It all starts in the nose.

Here is an explanation of the relationship between taste and smell and the role they play when we enjoy the flavour of our cup of coffee.
We all appreciate the astounding olfactory prowess of dogs; their ability to detect scent or smell is legendary. Whilst a dog’s sense of smell far exceeds that of humans with 50 times the olfactory receptors and 40 times the brain capacity for olfactory processes. Humans still have a very respectable ability to differentiate scents with around 6 million olfactory receptors which researchers believe gives us the ability to differentiate a trillion odours. Our ability to detect scent combines with our sense of taste to form a unique pattern we recognize as flavour. This sense of taste (gustatory) is detected by one of 5 types of specialist taste receptor cells on the tongue (it is now thought there are more types of taste receptor)

What makes up the flavour of coffee?

All living things are made up of organic compounds; it is these organic compounds that we detect with our sense of taste and smell. An example of one combination of these organic compounds is a rose; which it is believed has 275 organic compounds that make up its scent. Our ability to differentiate scents allows us to detect individual flower scents within a bouquet.
When it comes to the flavour of our coffee drink things get a little more complex. Coffee starts its journey from farm to cup as a green coffee bean. These green coffee beans have very little of the flavour we recognize in our cup of coffee; at this stage there are around 300 organic compounds that make up the flavour of green coffee. The true flavour profile for our cup of coffee comes from the roasting process which produces coffee beans with more than 850 organic compounds in 16 categories. This is why the roast profile for each type of coffee bean is fundamental to the finished coffee bean and our enjoyment of the coffee drink. The skilled coffee roaster brings out the best combination of organic compounds from the roasting process. (These flavours are not added at any stage; they are a natural combination of organic compounds within each varietal of coffee bean.) All we have to do is drink and enjoy our cup of coffee

How do we recognize the flavour of coffee?

Once we receive our freshly roasted coffee beans either as our preferred blend or one of the varied speciality coffee bean types. The first stage in the process is opening the bag, this releases the aroma from the coffee beans and we immediately recognize key elements. The next stage is the grind which reduces the coffee beans to their optimum particle size for brewing. Next is the brewing method which is the ultimate method of extracting the organic compounds from the coffee beans. Up to this point we are still almost entirely using our sense of smell, linger here and let your senses separate and recognise these aromas. If you are drinking a speciality coffee see how many tasting notes you can identify? The final stage is the brewed coffee in the cup and here there are still more options that affect the flavour of your coffee drink. Here are just a few examples; do you drink it black or add milk, cold or steamed; cappuccino or latte style? Do you prefer soya, oat or lactose free, cold or steamed? A final factor which affects flavour is the temperature of the coffee drink. Whilst iced coffee and cold brew can add to the flavour profile, drinking a coffee that is too hot can diminish the organic compounds in the coffee and suppress the taste receptors in the mouth.
Having decided on your preferred finished drink; as the cup of coffee approaches the mouth the aroma will have changed with any of the additions mentioned above. Once the coffee drink is in the mouth, a sensation known as “mouth feel” occurs this is generally unique to the individual but is comprised of temperature, consistency, taste and aroma. In the mouth the taste buds start to add their signals to the signals from the aroma. At this point the tongue is sending taste signals to the brain and the olfactory sensors are sending aroma signals from the back of the nose to the brain. The brain interprets all these signals and defines the flavour profile for your cup of coffee. It is so accurate that it can detect multiple flavours from within one drink and it is this ability that gives rise to the “tasting notes” for each coffee

You’re amazing and your sense of smell is a super power!

With such a highly tuned ability to detect aromas and flavours your coffee has never tasted so good. As we rush between moments through the day or start our day in a hurry it is easy to grab a coffee and not consider its flavour. Taking a moment to savour your drink and enjoy the components that contribute to its flavour can reveal a range of tasting notes. These tasting notes include; vanillas, caramels, chocolates, liquorices, citric lemons, red fruits, tropical fruits and even plums and fruit cake to name a few. If your coffee doesn’t deliver any of these additional tasting notes then maybe it’s time to start exploring?

I’m off now to try a speciality coffee bean; Catuai, Caturra from Costa Rica. I’m looking forward to savouring its tasting notes of; caramel, chocolate, lemon and tropical tasting notes. I’ll let you know how it good it tastes!

The growth of specialty coffee beans.

183:718568257 (Brian Longley) — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 16:50:59 GMT

Are specialty coffee beans worth the extra and how good are they?

Developing a taste for specialty coffee beans can be very rewarding. With so many coffee growing regions across several continents and with more coffee farmers now switching their harvests to specialty beans the choice will only improve.

With more coffee outlets providing specialty coffee beans and with a growing number of coffee drinkers discovering the wide range of specialty coffee beans that are available and let’s face it with time on our hands; now is a great time to explore specialty coffees for yourself.

We refer to the “American Specialty Coffee Association Q score method” as a baseline for our choices; along of course with availability. Having read our previous blogs you will know quite a bit about how we rate coffee and how we position the various pieces of information that support our choices.

It is worth mentioning at this stage that in general specialty coffee beans benefit from the more gentle methods for brewing fresh coffee; with filter being an ideal choice for many. This has the benefit that inexpensive coffee making kit can be used at home.

When choosing a specialty coffee bean many coffee drinkers look for the highest Q scores. Whilst this has obvious advantages it should be noted that there are 3 grades within the Q scoring system; very good, excellent and outstanding any one of which can give you a great specialty coffee experience.

For example my personal favourite specialty coffee bean is a wild Heirloom varietal; grown in the Bench Maji zone of South West Ethiopia. This medium roast organic specialty coffee bean from the wild forests of the region delivers one of my favourite specialty coffees. The headline got me with Wild Forest to be honest. With a Q score of 84.75 it places in the very good classification or 3rd level.

Many specialty coffee drinkers may pass on this coffee as it didn’t reach the level of excellent or outstanding. They would be missing out because it delivers an exceptional range and balance of flavours. Using the Aeropress brew method this specialty coffee gives strong juicy plum flavours with further notes of dark chocolate and blackcurrant. I am so glad the Q score didn’t put me off trying it.

I’ve written before about Ethiopian specialty coffee and it is a great source of some of the very finest specialty coffee beans.

We really enjoy trying different specialty coffee beans and look forward to the taster’s notes and Q scores of new harvests. Having said that we also have our favourites and often go back to those beans we have previously enjoyed. One of these specialty coffee beans is from an entirely different continent.

Moving our specialty coffee gaze across the world we settled on an Asian country; Myanmar. This is where the heritage of speciality coffee beans really comes to the fore. This specialty coffee bean captures current and historic references. Starting with Myanmar itself which was formerly known as Burma; this specialty coffee bean is grown a few hundred kilometers north of Mandalay.

The wild forest specialty coffee bean above had a Q score of 84.75 and is “very good”.

This specialty coffee bean from Myanmar has a Q score of 86 and is in the higher category of “excellent”.

The ideal growing conditions of Mogok at over 1100m above sea level in Myanmar’s highlands offer hot days and cool nights for the specialty coffee beans. This particular organic single origin specialty coffee bean is the Catuai varietal from Arrow Brothers. Brewing the coffee with the pourover method, this medium light roast organic specialty coffee gives a well rounded flavor and smooth body. Delivering an abundance of caramel flavours and a hint of green apple this is an “excellent” specialty coffee.

One final enticing fact is that Mogok is also known as the valley of the rubies, I wonder if that is why the region is closed to foreigners? Still at least we can enjoy one of their excellent specialty coffees.

I hope these blogs encourage you to explore the wonderful specialty coffees that are available. If you like, leave your details or sign up to our newsletter; our specialty coffee service will begin soon.

How to set a Coffee Grinder to make Espresso Coffee on a Traditional Espresso Machine from your Coffee Beans

183:718568257 (Brian Longley) — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 18:23:24 GMT

Coffee Beans, Espresso Machines, Coffee Grinder to Ground Coffee to Espresso Coffee

Espresso Coffee, Grinders and Espresso Machines all add up to make Espresso Coffee

After perfecting your coffee blend and getting the roast profile of your coffee beans just right. (We've done that for you, Check out Blend 34 Coffee Beans Shop our online store now )

Setting your coffee bean grinder correctly for roast coffee beans arguably affects your final brewed espresso coffee the most. So let's find out how to dial in the grinder.

Firstly identify how fine or course your desired brew method requires your fresh roast coffee beans to be as ground coffee. For this blog we're examining the process of espresso coffee and as such need espresso ground coffee. It has its own name for the profile to go along with the traditional espresso machine, not just ground coffee beans; fine or coarse. Showing how important it can be; espresso grind is finely ground coffee beans allowing resistance to the high pressure extraction method from traditional coffee espresso machines. Within the espresso coffee beans ground category, different coffee beans and different roasts will also need adjustments to the coffee grinder so the profile of the grind allows the espresso coffee extraction to be optimum.

We go into more detail on the different grind profiles and coffee grinder in other blogs which can be found here. But for now let's take espresso coffee beans to be ground as the example as this has a dramatic affect on the final pulled espresso coffee, and the changes to the espresso coffee can be dramatically seen when operating the espresso machine.The volume of water for espresso coffee is also important. With an automatic espresso machine this can be set in many ways, with a semi automatic espresso machine you need to actually time yourself. For the purpose of this blog let's assume the espresso machine levels, coffee beans and pump pressure etc are correct and focus on the single aspect of the grinder to address your espresso coffee. If your espresso machine settings are incorrect get in touch for prices for setting the machine and basic barista training.

Assuming the Espresso Machine and Coffee Beans are right, How do you set a Coffee Grinder?

So with only the coffee beans grinder needing to be adjusted let's begin. This is very much a process of trial and error and as such it's important to make sure each puck (ground coffee that goes into the portafilter for extraction) has a consistent grind. That is don't mix and match your ground coffee trials, waste a little coffee (I know, it's a crime) on each trial now to achieve the prolonged elixir of perfect espresso. Beyond that it's about dialling it in

So how do we start? Grind some fresh roasted coffee beans. No seriously grind some fresh roast coffee beans. Just grind some fresh roast coffee beans on the setting the coffee grinder is at and see what it looks like. You can't set the grinder to ground coffee precisely, but you can get an idea of where you are starting. With espresso grind for espresso machines or to create espresso coffee you're looking for the grinder to produce fine ground coffee, finer than most sand in fact so if you can see large coarse bits of coffee beans or the grinder struggles to grind the coffee beans adjust grinder settings until it looks like a fine ground coffee. Don't worry if you're not sure what fine looks like, when you complete the process you'll have an understanding that can go on with you to the next coffee beans grinder setting.

Some people at this point will rub ground coffee beans in their hands and proclaim too coarse or too fine, after years of training I can say that it's pretty much the same as looking at it, it's rare that there is enough sensitivity in the nerves of the hand to allow the person to set a grinder like this precisely. Combined with their years experience of different coffee beans and grinder settings, the look of the ground coffee beans and to a limited degree the feel, they will have an idea of roughly where that ground coffee sits on the scale of ground coffee. The only other thing rubbing ground coffee in your hand allows is the oils of the coffee transfer onto your skin and can be seen. Old and stale ground coffee beans typically have much less oil present. We'll examine other aspects in future blogs .

Trial and Error to set your Coffee Grinder to produce the best Espresso Coffee from your Coffee Beans and Espresso Machine

So you may have adjusted your grinder to a different setting, you may not. You may have just rubbed ground coffee beans into your skin for the caffeine kick. Either way it's time to pull a shot of espresso coffee. We've assumed for the purpose of this blog that all other factors of your espresso machine and grinder are set e.g. water quantity, coffee quantity so that the only thing affecting the coffee, the pulled espresso coffee, is the coarseness of the ground coffee.

So pull one and see what happens. (Remember some coffee espresso machines have pre infusion, you can usually hear the pause, and this doesn't affect settings for the grinder but factor it in when timing the pause before you see that lovely espresso coffee start to pour through).

Ideally we want a short pause before the espresso coffee starts to come through; 3-5 seconds then a smooth and thick, unbroken stream of opaque espresso coffee stream, almost in slow motion from the beak of the handle for the next 20-30 seconds. This is where we can now deduce whether our ground coffee is too fine or too coarse: if there's no pause and a stream of partially transparent coffee comes through in record time the ground coffee is too course; if it takes longer than 3-5 seconds to start to appear, comes through in a broken stream or takes longer than 30 seconds the ground coffee is too fine.

If the ground coffee is too coarse, discard the spent coffee puck and ground coffee, adjust grinder to a finer setting and repeat with fresh ground coffee beans. If the ground coffee is too fine, discard the spent coffee puck and ground coffee, adjust grinder to a coarser setting and repeat with fresh ground coffee beans. Repeat this process until the ground coffee is producing the ideal espresso coffee. Another indicator that can be used to aid in deduction is the spent ground coffee puck, it should when knocked out hold its shape in one or two pieces and should not hold water and look like there's water in there, neither should it appear too dry.

Espresso Machine, Coffee Beans and Grinder all affect the final Espresso Coffee

With these processes followed you should have the coffee grinder perfectly set for your espresso machine and be producing lovely espresso coffee time after time with your preferred ground coffee beans, give Blend 34 a go click to shop our online store . It's also important to note that there are ranges given for all manner of espresso machine and espresso coffee measures but they allow a starting point to work from to find the best extraction for your fresh roast coffee beans; 7g of fine coffee, 1oz of water, 4 seconds until appearance of espresso, 24 second to complete extraction (28 seconds in total) at 94 degrees celcius is a good place to start. Then it's about fine tuning to taste.

We've assumed that the only thing wrong in this example is the coffee grinder setting and that the ground coffee is too coarse, too fine or not initially set. If there are still issues with your final espresso coffee or espresso machine there may be other problems with your grinder, handles, baskets, seals, temperature, beans or espresso machine, the list goes on. Whatever it is get in touch with us and we can help with diagnosing the problem and getting it fixed.

There are many other aspects to setting up a traditional espresso machine that also need to be addressed to produce top quality espresso coffee from your preferred coffee beans, we'll address in future blogs.

For now though, you should be able to have a go at setting the grinder for your espresso machine and test out those coffee beans as espresso coffee.

Don't worry if you don't feel comfortable, we can help. Get in touch for barista training prices and espresso machine install and setup prices.

Exploring the world of specialty coffee beans.

Fri, 15 May 2020 18:47:17 GMT

Why should people try specialty coffee beans?

A growing number of coffee drinkers are discovering the wide range of specialty coffee beans that are available. For a quick recap, let’s look at “what is speciality coffee”? First let’s deal with the spelling. Whether you read specialty coffee beans or speciality coffee beans the meaning is identical it is just that the former is the American version and the latter the English version. For the sake of continuity I will use the specialty version here. Back to the question “what is specialty coffee”?

What is specialty coffee?

Specialty coffee is a term reserved for the highest grade of coffee beans available, typically referring to a complete supply chain, using single origin or single estate coffee.

So starting with the key part of that definition for the designation specialty coffee bean, that is coffee beans of the highest grade. This grade is translated into a Q score and only the coffee beans which score the highest are designated specialty coffee beans. That to me seems a great starting point to explore the wide range of taste profiles that can be found from the world’s specialty coffee beans.

Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee since the 10th Century delivers some superb coffee bean harvests with around 98% coming from small coffee farms and micro lots. One of our absolute favourite Ethiopian coffee beans with an outstanding Q score of 92.25 is a Fairtrade Organic Heirloom varietal from Aleta Wondo in the Sidama region of Southern Ethiopia. This specialty coffee bean is grown by the Homacho Waeno co-op at 2000m above sea level.

What is the best specialty coffee bean to try?

Many people feel that coffee is just coffee, when it comes to specialty coffee that simply is not the case. This Heirloom varietal specialty coffee is a great example of why the range of flavors or tasting notes from specialty coffee is very different from the standard high street coffee shop brew.

Preparing fresh coffee from the raw coffee bean requires consideration of four key steps.

First the raw coffee bean itself and how it is prepared. This Heirloom varietal is washed and dried before shipping.

Second the coffee bean roast profile which is a highly skilled stage in the preparation of the final coffee bean. This specialty coffee bean is lightly roasted to deliver its outstanding Q score.

Third is the grind setting which should be balanced with the final step and in our view can take a coarser medium grind.

Finally is the recommended match for the ideal method for brewing your chosen specialty coffee bean. In this example delicate is our preferred word to describe the best method for releasing the flavor. So for this specialty coffee it is more suited to filter coffee makers. Chemex, V60, kalita and cold brew.

What can you expect from Specialty Coffee?

Once you have prepared your specialty coffee drink, what can you expect? The tasting notes accredited with the Q score for an Ethiopian Sidama specialty coffee include observations of blueberry and lilac aromas, delicate floral notes with a candy like sweetness balanced with lemon.

Staying with African specialty coffee beans

For the coffee lover, one of the best aspects of the specialty coffee bean supply is the wide range available with each specialty coffee region offering a very different flavor experience. One of the other benefits of the specialty coffee bean is that it is ideal for home brewing.

Moving from Ethiopia to Kenya highlights some of the contrasts of different specialty coffee beans.

With a lower Q score of 86.50 than the previous specialty coffee bean described above. The excellent Kenyan specialty coffee from the Kathakwa factory in Embu County shows all specialty coffees are worth investigation by the coffee lover because although their Q scores will differ it really is all about the taste when it comes to coffee. The syrupy palette of this coffee makes it an excellent choice.

This microlot grown specialty coffee bean from Kenya’s smallholder farms is the SL28, SL34, Ruiri, Batian varietal.

Our view is that this particular specialty coffee bean from Kenya is more robust and shows how different specialty coffee beans lend themselves to different brewing methods. Lightly roasted this Kenya Kathakwa AA specialty coffee can confidently be brewed using espresso, cafetiere or French press, Aeropress and pourover brewing methods. The flavor profile also makes this specialty coffee a good choice for cold brew coffee.

The Q score of 86.50 delivers a rich spectrum of tasting notes. We enjoy the fresh aroma and uplifting zing form the fruit notes. This is further enhanced with the syrup like texture from the “plummy” fruitiness before delivering cola tasting notes.

Final word on Specialty Coffee

These have been just two specialty coffee beans from only one of the specialty coffee growing continents. Both of the specialty coffee beans referred to offer very different flavor profiles and enhance the experience of trying out new and exciting specialty coffee beans. These specialty coffee beans are often grown from some of the world’s smallest coffee farms many of which are owned and operated by families. If like us you love coffee, the world of the specialty coffee bean is there for you to explore. We have our favorites, how about discovering your own favorite specialty coffee? We’ll be presenting some others in future blogs as we develop our own range of specialty coffee beans.

The humble coffee bean

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:58:09 GMT

Rediscover the enjoyment of making fresh coffee at home.

There are many ways to enjoy fresh coffee at home

You may have seen the Twinings tea advert on the UK TV? The one that goes “in 1709 there were over 2000 coffee houses in London”; coffee has been with us for eons, far longer than most people expect.

In those early days coffee was drunk in small cups as a thick syrupy drink. Even as recently as the 1900s coffee sets were usually comprised of a large coffee pot and a number of really small around 5oz cups. Now we have a vast array of coffee brewing methods available. In no particular order of preference, here are just a few of the different ways fresh coffee can be made at home; home espresso coffee machines; home bean to cup espresso coffee machines; electronic pod coffee machines; filter coffee makers; percolators; French press or cafetiere; Aeropress; moka pot; V60; siphon; cold brew and nitro. Writing that last bit made me wonder how many coffee makers we have at home in the kitchen, more on that later.

The other major change over recent coffee drinking history, probably heavily influenced by the USA coffee drinker is the volume of the coffee drink. It is common for coffee to be served in 16oz, 20oz or even 24oz cups. Consider for a moment, if you drink milky coffee such as a latte or mocha that is around a pint of milk for each drink before you add in the sugar or syrups. No inferred criticism of course but it does highlight how things and our tastes change.

Continuing the theme of changing tastes, the emergence of the cortado and flat white coffee drinks where the the ratio of coffee to milk is increasing is now a growing segment.

There are a range of coffee beans to try. From great blends to delicious single origin coffee beans.

Our philosophy at Blue J Coffee Co is that when it comes to coffee it really should be “All about the taste”! Take our Blend 34 coffee for instance; the skilful addition of a small amount of the Robusta coffee bean variety lifts the flavors from the Arabica and Robusta coffee bean blend. This addition of the Robusta coffee bean enhances the different combination of flavors released from the coffee bean blend to produce a really delicious coffee drink. There are many coffee bloggers and coffee roasters who would be surprised at the addition of the Robusta coffee bean variety as it is seen within certain circles as the lesser of the two main coffee bean types. They too would be pleasantly surprised at the depth, smoothness, range of coffee flavors or “tasting notes” and robustness of the coffee taste with no after taste. So it is no surprise that even at home, Blend 34 is our everyday coffee drink.

Discover the range of flavours the speciality coffee bean can deliver

Although we recommend Blend 34 coffee and encourage you to try it for yourself as your regular coffee we would also encourage you to try some other coffees; particularly the coffee bean types provided by the many different specialty single origin coffee bean growers. These specialty coffee beans are from a single harvest from a specific location and each single origin coffee bean has a unique and delicious flavor profile. This is where it gets really interesting because we have found that getting the best from the specialty coffee bean really does rely on the ideal coffee bean roast profile, the grind and the brewing method.

Home fresh coffee making equipment.

The ideal roast for the speciality coffee bean will have been done for you so you can concentrate on the grind and the coffee brewing method.

Usually with the small volumes of coffee beans involved for home use we recommend a small good quality hand operated coffee bean grinder with ceramic burrs. We feel that to get the equivalent consistency and longevity from an electric coffee bean grinder with metal burrs you would need to spend several hundred pounds. They are available and it is of course personal preference.

The ideal brewing method is now where you can get really creative and explore the coffee making method you prefer the most. From the quicker French press to the elaborate siphon, they will each give you a slightly different coffee flavor even from the same ground coffee bean. We have found that the delicate flavors from the speciality coffee bean are best released with the slower more gentle brewing methods so siphon, V60 and filter methods may each deliver a slightly different flavor profile. We start with Aeropress to see if the speciality coffee beans are a good match with this method. Espresso machine coffee extraction methods can be a little too aggressive at extracting the flavour from the speciality coffee bean.

The home fresh coffee experience can be fun and interesting

As I noted earlier, whilst writing this I decided to have a quick look around the kitchen to see how many different coffee makers we have. I found 6 and I know somewhere there are 2 more an old percolator and an original design of a V60. Over the next few weeks I’ll have a go with them but for now I’ll enjoy my Blend 34 made with an Expobar 1 group espresso machine. Tomorrow I’ll try a speciality single origin Kenya Kathakwa AA roasted coffee bean with my Aeropress and V60. Just to see if I can match the Q score it has of 86.50

There is a wide range of coffee beans available including the single origin speciality coffee beans for you to explore. I hope you enjoy the experience.

Home baking with fresh Blend 34 coffee

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 14:39:40 GMT

Explore how adding fresh coffee to your home baking can create delicious cakes and desserts.

Our enjoyment of fresh coffee continues to increase. To highlight the numbers, an increase of 25 million cups of coffee a day over the last 10 years means we now consume over 95 million cups of coffee a day.

You don’t think twice about brewing freshly ground coffee as your favourite coffee drink; but did you know an espresso coffee shot made from freshly ground coffee is an ingredient that can work magic in many baking recipes.

A quality freshly roasted and ground coffee can add depth to your dish and help balance sweetness. Fresh coffee compliments sweet bold nutty ingredients to give a balanced taste combination. We all know Mocha ( the unique and desirable combination of chocolate and freshly ground coffee) is a favoured dessert combination for many chefs.

Fresh Coffee Chocolate Brownies with Blue J coffee Co. Blend 34 Freshly Ground Coffee

3 coffee espresso shots of Blue J Coffee Co ‘s Blend 34 freshly ground coffee

(Blend 34 coffee beans or ground from Blue J Coffee has a unique taste balance and depth of flavour that makes it a great addition to recipes.)

1 cup of melted unsalted butter

2 cups of granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups of self raising flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder.

Pull 3 perfect espresso coffee shots, using Blue J Coffee Co ‘s Blend 34 freshly ground coffee beans which can be purchased through our online shop here. The online shop also has ready ground coffee for sale if you don’t want to grind the coffee beans yourself.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Leave the 3 fresh coffee espresso shots to cool.
Cream the butter and the sugar. Add the shots of fresh coffee espressos slowly and mix until combined. Add the eggs and mix until combined. Add the flour and cocoa powder and stir to combine. Add a pinch of sea salt which compliments the fresh coffee and a handful of chocolate chips or pecans if you’re feeling ambitious.
Transfer the fresh coffee brownie batter to a 9×13 baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes or until set in the middle (if you want more chewy brownies, go for 35-40 minutes).
Eat and enjoy your Blend 34 fresh coffee brownies!

Where would Tiramisu be without a shot of fresh coffee? Tiramisu Made With Blend 34 Freshly Ground Coffee Beans

1 cup of whipping cream

1 cup mascarpone cheese (at room temperature)

1/3 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon Amaretto liquor or brandy

2 cups Strong freshly brewed blend 34 fresh coffee espressos (at room temperature) This is where Blend 34 coffee really shines with its strong balanced depth of flavour.

1 pack of lady fingers

Cocoa powder for dusting the top

Beat the whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract together until soft peaks form.
Add the mascarpone cheese and amaretto and continue to whip to form stiff peaks.
Dip the ladyfingers in the freshly brewed strong coffee and place in an 8×8 tray to make the first layer (you can fit about 7 into each layer.) Don't let them soak too much as they will fall apart, just a quick dunk in the freshly brewed strong Blend 34 coffee is enough.
Spread half of the whipped cream mixture on top of the first layer of ladyfingers. Repeat process with the second layer of Blend 34 fresh coffee dipped ladyfingers and cream mixture.
Dust the top of dessert with cocoa powder using a sieve. Refrigerate for about 2-4 hours (it improves the flavour of the coffee in the fridge and is a perfect make-ahead dessert).

Other quick ideas for coffee flavouring using Blend 34 Fresh Coffee

A fresh coffee glaze of Icing sugar or chocolate powder mixed with strong cold fresh coffee, preferably espresso, can enhance any finished bake.

Recipes can still be baked after adding freshly ground coffee espresso shots without upsetting the balance of wet and dry ingredients. Why not try stirring into an espresso shot into your cake mix, biscuit dough or even meringue.

They say you should only cook with wine you would drink yourself. The same is to be said for coffee; Blend 34 from Blue J Coffee Co. is outstanding and the depth of flavour from the fresh coffee will shine through in your cooking. ( Blend 34 espresso shots were the go to choice of the professional chefs for their demonstrations when we were exhibiting at the Great British Bake Off’s - Cake and Bake show Manchester.)

To get the best results use your home espresso coffee machine to deliver the espresso coffee shots. If you do not yet have a good home espresso machine then “Aeropress” and “moka pots” produce strong low volume coffees that are also very good. Cafetieres can also be used but increase the amount of ground coffee and decrease the amount of hot water to produce a strong coffee.

Even without any of the above you could still grind a small amount of coffee beans using a pepper mill before adding hot water and then filtering out the grains.

Marinade using Freshly Ground Coffee

A marinade can also be prepared with the use of freshly ground coffee due to the natural acidity in the fresh coffee, this helps tenderise the meat, enhances the flavour and becomes caramelised and sweet when it hits the heat.

1 small shallot chopped

2 cloves of chopped garlic

1 cup of strong Blend 34 coffee at room temperature.

4 tbls balsamic vinegar

4 tbls Dijon mustard

4 tbls light brown sugar

2 tbls olive oil

salt , black pepper

Mix together and place 1/2 the marinade into a plastic bag with your meat and marinade in your fridge for about an hour. Bring to room temperature then remove the meat and discard the marinade. Cook and baste your meat with the remaining 1/2 of marinade.

Freshly Ground Coffee Dry rub

1 tbls sea salt

1 tbls freshly ground Blue J Coffee Co Blend 34 fresh coffee beans

1 tbls hot smoked Spanish paprika

A dry rub is great rubbed into meat or chicken; this enhances the flavour of the meat and becomes caramelised and sweet when it hits the heat.

How much caffeine is there in my coffee?

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 12:33:49 GMT

Does how I make my coffee mean more caffeine in my coffee?

Is a steaming hot fresh coffee made with freshly ground coffee beans your favourite way to start the day?

Coffee in its various forms has long been recognised as a useful stimulant. Coffee drinkers often use an invigorating hot coffee to wake up fresh and ready for the day. For some people coffee is useful for an extra boost of energy for those moments when we feel ourselves flagging. However and whenever we enjoy our coffee there are a few things to bear in mind. First and most important is that when we drink coffee prepared freshly ground from coffee beans or from instant powdered coffee we are drinking caffeine. Even decaffeinated coffee beans contain caffeine.

Is drinking coffee good for your health?

In short for most of the hundreds of millions of healthy coffee drinkers who enjoy coffee daily the answer is yes. Drinking coffee can have physiological and psychological benefits. Large studies have shown that drinking coffee plays a role in reducing the risk from various health issues including heart and kidney disease.

Current opinion is that for people with no underlying health problems there is no limit to the amount of coffee we could drink per day. However even for these coffee drinkers, current opinion suggests they should limit their daily intake of caffeine to less than four hundred milligrams of caffeine, which is roughly the amount you would expect to find in 4 or 5 8oz cups of coffee. During pregnancy the recommended amount of caffeine per day is reduced to two hundred milligrams.

Is there the same amount of caffeine in all coffees?

Whilst the percentage of caffeine in a coffee bean is consistent for each type or variety of coffee bean; Arabica coffee beans have around half the concentration of caffeine than Robusta coffee beans. Then when it comes to the actual coffee drink there are many factors that affect the amount of caffeine.

Does my daily caffeine only come from coffee?

Caffeine is present in a number of different drinks not just coffee. A 330ml can of soda could contain up to 40mg of caffeine. Your other favourite drink, an 8oz cup of tea, could contain up to 50mg of caffeine. Compared to around 65mg of caffeine in an 8oz cup of coffee you can see how easy it is to consume caffeine through the day. If you are a fan of energy drinks you could be drinking up to 250mg of caffeine from a standard sized can.

Does how I prepare my coffee affect the amount of caffeine?

Different methods of making coffee can give different amounts of caffeine. I mentioned earlier that Arabica coffee beans have less caffeine compared to Robusta coffee beans. Starting at this point here a few quick points when it comes to drinking coffee.

Taste and enjoying your coffee is probably the most important factor.

Whilst a darker roast for the coffee bean gives a stronger flavour it actually reduces the amount of caffeine present by as much as 20%.

At around 85mg, drip through coffee makers produce a cup of coffee with more caffeine.

A cup of instant coffee with about 65mg can contain more caffeine than other coffees.

Decaffeinated coffees contain around 2 to 3 mg of caffeine per cup.

A shot of espresso coffee produced from freshly ground coffee beans and made with a commercial espresso machine gives about 65mg of caffeine in 30ml.

How to Make Coffee

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 13:55:55 GMT

How Do I Make Coffee? This Blog Series Explores How

This Blog Looks at How to Make Coffee

How to Make Coffee? Intro

Origins of Coffee

Coffee has been enjoyed the world over for many years. People make coffee and enjoy coffee for many reasons, not just for the obvious pick me up. Coffee houses were once and arguably still are the epicenters of intellectual discussion and debate, where the stimulating caffeine from freshly brewed coffee stirred minds.

The first evidence of people noticing the properties of coffee, not necessarily understanding how to make coffee, comes from the Ethiopian legend; Kaldi, the goatherd on the ancient Ethiopian plateau noticed the energy the berries gave his goats. The coffee berries were taken back to a nearby abbot who, after making the coffee berries into a drink, found they kept him alert well into his evening prayers. With the abbot sharing his findings so began the spread of the energizing coffee drink worldwide.

By the 15th century, on the Arabian Peninsula, coffee was being cultivated and started to spread worldwide.

How to Make Coffee in Today's World

Today the world enjoys coffee in a much more refined manner than the original coffee berry drink first discovered, with a wide and inventive array of ways people make coffee; the traditional espresso machine, through siphon, mokka and cafetierre, to the newest method of the Aeropress. People make coffee on a daily basis at home and in business serving this magnificent and ancient elixir made from coffee beans.

This blog series will look at how to brew coffee and how to make coffee so you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee in new and exciting ways allowing you to get the best from your preferred coffee brew method. And maybe even discover a new favorite way you can make coffee and experience that freshly brewed coffee in new ways.

Before we delve into the multitude of ways of how to make coffee, it’s important to look at the base materials we use to make coffee.

Beans and Grind, It all Affects How to Make Coffee Great

Arguably one of the most influential aspects when you make coffee is the beans and the subsequent grind. It makes sense that without good coffee beans you can’t make good coffee. The beans are the foundation of making good coffee and without a great foundation, no matter how hard you try, the results will always be lacking. Blend 34 roasted coffee beans by Blue J Coffee Co. is the foundation you need for however you make coffee, giving amazing depth of flavor with an unparalleled smoothness to your freshly brewed coffee. Check out our earlier blog on Blend 34 to discover more.

How to make coffee that’s great also relies on the quality of the grind: too coarse or too fine and you risk losing flavors or a cup full of unwanted ground coffee bits. (Which in some cases which we’ll discover in later blogs can add to the experience). In later blogs we will examine grinders and grind processes in more detail, but for now our online store carries a range of Blend 34 ground coffee beans in two coarsenesses. Whilst ideally you make coffee brewed within minutes of grinding coffee beans and as close to the roasted coffee process as possible, that’s not always practical.

Blue J Coffee Co. uses technology to ensure the packages you receive of roasted coffee beans and ground coffee are as fresh as possible and the special grind technologies and packaging processes ensure our roasted coffee, espresso ground coffee and omni-ground coffee are able to cover all coffee brewing methods, arrive to you as fresh as possible and allow you to make coffee to a level you’ll never have believed possible.

Further Blog Posts will Examine in Detail the Different ways of How to Make Coffee

Having briefly covered the origins and foundation aspects of how to make coffee, in the next blog we will examine in more detail one of those brewing methods and discover how to make coffee with the traditional espresso machine.

Uses for Freshly Ground Coffee or Freshly Brewed Coffee

Thu, 09 May 2019 17:54:13 GMT

Creative ways to use freshly ground coffee or freshly brewed coffee

Alternative and Creative Ways to Use Freshly Ground Coffee and Freshly Brewed Coffee

Ok, so you enjoy drinking Blue J Coffee Co.'s Blend 34 freshly ground and freshly brewed exactly as you like it. But, did you know that you can use coffee; fresh ground coffee or fresh brewed coffee, in a number of useful ways? Some of the ways to use fresh ground coffee or fresh brewed coffee are even good for the environment.

Freshly Ground Coffee as a Garden Fertiliser

You can use fresh ground coffee to fertilise your garden. All gardens need to be fertilised to ensure plants have the nutrients they need to survive and fresh ground coffee contains several key minerals including; nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and chromium. These minerals contained in fresh ground coffee are still present (albeit in lower concentrations) even when you've used the fresh ground coffee to brew your favourite fresh coffee drink.

Freshly ground coffee also attracts worms which we all know are great for your garden, sprinkle the freshly ground coffee or used and dried ground coffee onto the soil around your plants to attract natures gardeners.

A study found compost made from waste ground coffee and kitchen waste was much higher in nutrients than compost made from just kitchen waste alone.

In 2016 J Wasman found that a batch of compost containing 40% of ground coffee waste produced fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a far better quality compost. The study and his findings were published in January 2017. (citation. waste management.2017 January 59:37-47)

Freshly Ground Coffee can Ward Off Bugs

To repel the tiny pests place fresh ground coffee into bowls outside or on to the ground, then carefully light the ground coffee so that the ground coffee smoulders. The freshly ground coffee contains compounds which are toxic to many insects, this helps keep them away. An evening with a small bowl of smouldering ground coffee can keep the midges away and smells pretty good too. During the day smouldering fresh ground coffee will keep away wasps.

Fleas are also not a fan of coffee so a natural preventative treatment is to simply rub the fresh ground coffee throughout your pets fur after shampooing and then rinse off. The oils from the fresh ground coffee will stay on the skin and are a deterrent to the biting insects. Coffee is not a treatment if your pet has fleas you may need a prescription product.

Use Freshly Ground Coffee as an Odour Eliminator

Coffee can also help eliminate odours from your refrigerator. Place a small amount of fresh coffee in a dish inside and leave for approx 12 hours to help eliminate odours. Fresh ground coffee can also be used as a hand scrub to remove the odour after handling onions or garlic, whilst the fresh ground coffee also acts as an abrasive.

Did You Know Freshly Ground Coffee and Freshly Brewed Coffee Can Hide Scratches on Dark Stained Wood Furniture?

Strong black fresh coffee (like an espresso coffee) can be used to cover small scratches in dark-stained wood. A cotton bud dipped in the freshly brewed coffee and applied to the scratch can help mask the mark. For a larger area a thicker coffee paste made with fine fresh ground coffee mixed with fresh brewed coffee, brush the paste over the area, let it dry and brush off the excess.

Freshly Brewed Coffee Can Help Sell Your House

Freshly brewed coffee is regarded as a welcoming smell, with the best aromas coming from fresh ground coffee. Forget your perfumed candles have a freshly brewed coffee on for welcoming family, guests or vendors viewing your house.

So next time you are tipping the used coffee grains out why not start a new habit and use the coffee grains in your garden. Who knew freshly ground coffee and freshly brewed coffee could be so useful?

Coffee Supplier: Blue J Coffee Supplies all things for coffee, tea or hot chocolate..

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:34:21 GMT

Finding a coffee supplier with coffee supplies that suits you

A coffee supplier with supplies that works for you

Whether you’re starting out looking for a new coffee supplier or looking to change coffee supplier, there are many factors to consider in finding coffee supplies and a supplier that suits you.

Born out of a passion for good coffee, Blue J Coffee is a coffee supplier for coffee shops and outlets, a coffee supplier for caterers, restaurants and home. Blue J Coffee is situated close to the centre of the UK mainland at the heart of an intricate supply chain. We are ideally placed as a coffee supplier to supply a complete service to coffee shops and outlets, caterers, restaurants and home. We at Blue J Coffee love coffee, we know and understand coffee and this means we can supply coffee to suit your needs, a coffee supplier ‘For all your coffee needs’.

Blue J Coffee is an experienced coffee supplier that supplies many independent coffee shops, mobile coffee outlets and restaurants throughout the North West their coffee supplies. We supply customers with coffee, supply coffee making equipment and supply Barista training.

What does Blue J Coffee Co. supply?

We are a complete coffee supplier; it starts with the supply of great coffee. Consistently great coffee, professional training, coffee machines, coffee supplies and everything in between, you need look no further for your coffee supplier and all coffee supplies, coffee supplies of the highest quality, than Blue J Coffee.

As coffee supplier we work hard to build strong relationships with our customers and offer what we can to improve solutions for our customers coffee supplies. Blue J Coffee is a coffee supplier "for all coffee needs".

Central to our offering we supply Blend 34 coffee beans, we can also supply Blend 34 as ground coffee to retail for different machines. With it's great flavour and rich crema, Blend 34 offers the commercial coffee shop an exceptional coffee to differentiate themselves from other coffee shops and outlets.

A coffee supplier for coffee shops

Coffee shops use the commercial espresso machine to extract the best flavour from the ground coffee beans as efficiently as possible. Commercial espresso machines vary widely in size and quality and vary on the number of group heads and the size of the internal boilers and general aesthetics. Blue J Coffee supplies a wide range of new commercial espresso machines with 1, 2, 3 or 4 group heads. We can discuss exact requirements and advise on the best solution for you and discover how we as your coffee supplier can best help you supply customers. If you are building from scratch, as your coffee supplier we can advise and supply all coffee making equipment.

Getting the best flavour from your coffee beans starts with a commercial grade coffee bean grinder, this is not a piece of equipment to skimp on. Blue J Coffee supplies advice and can supply the best quality commercial coffee bean grinders.

A coffee supplier that supplies machines, repairs and maintenance

A machine that supplies coffee to your customers needs to keep going. Keeping your equipment in the best condition requires routine maintenance and regular servicing. As well as a supplier of equipment, Blue J Coffee supplies a complete set-up service and training for baristas to ensure your coffee equipment is well utilised and able to supply great fresh coffee to your customers every time.

Alternatively, should budgets not reach the newest equipment Blue J Coffee supplies reconditioned espresso machines and grinders. Blue J Coffee holds supplies of these coffee machines.

Blue J Coffee supplies all equipment needed for the busy commercial coffee shop. Coffee supplies such as milk frothing jugs and coffee tampers etc the list is endless.

Coffee supplier that supplies all

To enhance your coffee we can also supply a broad range of syrups including sugar free, our range of coffee supplies is constantly growing.

The busy coffee shop needs coffee making equipment that is reliable, however even the best equipment can fail. This is where our experienced coffee engineers supply an unmatched service. With an unparalleled knowledge and access to the broadest range of commercial espresso machine supplies; they will be in a fantastic position to get your machine working quickly, allowing you to continually supply coffee to your customers.

So with large coffee supplies of beans and ground, the supply of new and used commercial coffee equipment plus the supply of Barista training, syrups, coffee machine servicing and repairs, Blue J Coffee really is a coffee supplier ‘for all your coffee needs’.

How does Blue J Coffee Co. supply?

We use a range of methods to ensure we supply a National coffee supplies service to our customers as quickly as possible, preventing your coffee supplies being interrupted. Our location makes supply using the postal service simple with next day and timed delivery often available on our coffee supplies. Our local courier service can commonly supply same day and next day. Our engineers are on call with a range of supplies for machines and can respond quickly.

Coffee supplier as it should be

As your coffee supplier we work hard to ensure the highest quality coffee supplies are delivered consistently and punctually. This supply means customers can experience quality every time they visit and ultimately improve your business. Consider Blue J Coffee as your coffee supplier and see how we can supply ‘For all your coffee needs’

How does coffee rank as a beverage and how local coffee suppliers are expanding their range

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 20:20:40 GMT

Coffee Suppliers and Coffee Beans: The rise of the Coffee Bean

How much coffee does the world drink?

Worldwide the amount of coffee consumed every day is estimated to be over 2 billion cups. Whilst this is obviously an approximation it is without question a lot of coffee. Estimates also suggest that coffee drinking worldwide continues to grow, with some suggesting that the amount of coffee consumed could double over the next 5 years. Indeed various coffee associations place themselves as the second most popular beverage worldwide behind water. A very impressive role for the humble coffee bean.

How much coffee does the UK drink?

Of the 2 billion or so cups of coffee consumed worldwide every day, the British Coffee Association reports that approximately 95 million cups of coffee are consumed in the UK every day. This number is predicted to grow as the UK coffee drinker explores the varied flavours available from better coffee beans and different coffee drinks provided by suppliers. Growth in several key areas of coffee bean consumption has added to this overall increase in coffee suppliers. The worldwide and UK estimates on the amount of coffee consumed from all coffee bean sources and suppliers are included in the estimate for commercial and home consumption. The figures also include coffee beans that are grown primarily for their caffeine extraction. This caffeine extracted mainly from the Robusta variety of coffee bean then forms supplements in a variety of formats utilised by other suppliers in manufacture of energy drinks to medicines.

Factors that have fuelled the growth in the UK coffee bean suppliers

In a complex market there are several factors that have fuelled the growth in coffee bean suppliers in the UK. The growth of high street coffee shops, both well known coffee chains and independent coffee shops which use freshly ground coffee beans, have an enormous impact in the growth of coffee bean suppliers. Central to the majority of these coffee businesses is the espresso coffee machine that extracts the fresh coffee from freshly ground coffee beans. It is without question the most valuable piece of equipment a coffee shop would purchase and when paired with fantastic coffee beans from their chosen coffee suppliers and a good quality coffee bean grinder can have one of the biggest impacts on their business. A glance up at the coffee menu board will quickly demonstrate the range of coffee based drinks produced from these machines and a competent barista. Good news for the coffee drinker and the coffee bean suppliers.

How are things changing for the UK coffee bean supplier?

Whilst still a niche area for coffee drinkers many establishments offer alternative coffee brewing methods, giving new ways to produce coffee from the beans, alongside their traditional espresso coffee machine. Once the coffee beans have been ground, these alternative methods have the added benefit of engaging the consumer in the coffee brewing process once the beans are ground fresh. This offers the coffee drinker the option to fine tune the resulting coffee to their personal taste and experience the depth in flavour coffee beans can have. Some of these coffee brewing methods are also better suited to single origin coffee beans some coffee suppliers can provide, which can be more delicate and may not respond well to the commercial coffee machine extraction process. These different brewing methods can also require coffee beans to be ground differently in order to get the most from the coffee bean.
Coffee suppliers are actively sourcing different varieties of coffee beans in order to expand the range of coffee available from suppliers. The growth in speciality single origin coffee beans has been part of this development. In a market initially dominated by a few large suppliers this divergence is welcome and we can now see a wide variety of coffee beans available from many different coffee bean suppliers.

Coffee beans at home or work from suppliers

In the UK for the home coffee drinker there has been an increase in the use of complex electrical coffee makers promoted by some coffee suppliers. These machines use a specific coffee capsule, with pre ground coffee beans, that lock people into their particular brand of coffee from said coffee suppliers. In my opinion as enjoyable and effortless as these can be, coffee drinkers would be better off purchasing home coffee making equipment from coffee suppliers that would allow them to use different coffee beans from numerous coffee suppliers. Especially when paired with a suitable coffee bean grinder, these techniques can also be much more financially stable, and allow the drinker to experience the range of coffee beans available from all the different coffee bean suppliers. Our online store has freshly roasted coffee beans and freshly ground beans complimented by a small selection of our extensive range of coffee equipment for purchase.

Coffee bean suppliers, like Blue J Coffee Co., can provide home equipment that can range from a few pounds for a simple cafetiere type, which uses coarse ground coffee beans, up to several thousand pounds for the highest quality single group espresso machines, that use a much finer grind for the coffee bean. It all depends on how much you like fresh coffee, how intricate you are willing to make the coffee preparation and your budget. Your coffee suppliers should be able to advise you on the set-up that is right for you and introduce you to a new world of home brewing that isn't limited to a few plastic pods. Get in touch now to find out how we can help you get the most from our coffee beans.

Blend 34 Coffee Beans and Traditional Espresso

Sun, 03 Feb 2019 20:40:28 GMT

Blend 34 Coffee Beans Our Signature Blend for Espresso to Filter Coffee

For our Signature Blend 34 Coffee; It's All About the Taste

Blue J Coffee has developed Blend 34 coffee in both roasted coffee beans and roasted and ground coffee beans packages, perfect for everyway you like your coffee. With a passion for good coffee, Blend 34 was developed in order to provide a blend of coffee beans that satisfies our stringent requirements. After initially trying other commercially available coffee beans and single types of coffee beans. We were disappointed as we found them to provide either an unsatisfactory taste with either no body or they were too bitter or simply downright nasty. We decided to develop our own signature blend of coffee beans that would be enjoyable to drink either as an espresso coffee or with steamed milk either via an espresso machine, filter coffee maker or any of the other numerous ways to brew your coffee. Check out our online shop to browse our range of brewing equipment so you can enjoy our signature blend of coffee beans. We are delighted with the results as the exceptional taste of Blend 34 coffee proves extremely popular with customers including independent coffee shops who wish to differentiate themselves from other local coffee shops and provide our signature blend of coffee beans, Blend 34, to their customers.

The Espresso from Blend 34 coffee beans

Espresso prepared with a traditional espresso machine must have several features, as the espresso is the basis for many other drinks, and without a great espresso your lattes and cappuccinos can be sub par. Your choice of coffee beans and your subsequent espresso based drinks must deliver a good coffee flavour whether it is taken pure as an espresso coffee or whether it is embodied with steamed milk (e.g. as a latte or cappuccino) or combined with hot water (e.g. as an Americano).

What makes Blend 34 coffee beans so special?

A signature blend of 100% coffee beans where the combination of the individual coffee beans are balanced to deliver an exceptional depth of coffee flavour. Blend 34 is a strong smooth coffee with a rich caramel coloured crema and no bitter aftertaste.
Along with a consistent roast and exceptional coffee taste, the professional coffee maker or Barista also requires a consistently good crema from their espresso. Crema is the name given to the tiny bubbles of magic coffee volatiles that sit as a layer on top of the espresso coffee shot and enhance the coffee aroma. Prepared as an espresso coffee the ground Blend 34 coffee bean produces a crema that is a rich caramel coloured layer of micro bubbles. These micro bubbles slowly release their delicate coffee aromas from the freshly pulled espresso. Served with cool (but not iced) water to drink alongside the espresso coffee shot the customer can experience the range of tasting notes Blend 34 coffee delivers.

Blend 34 Coffee beans and the perfect espresso for your beautiful latte art

The skilled Barista who enjoys creating beautiful art on top of the coffee drink for their customers with latte art also requires an espresso crema that is consistently produced and holds in volume as the Barista delivers their skilled steamed milk pour to produce the latte art. The depth of the crema on the espresso from Blend 34 coffee beans plus its rich caramel colour enhances the milk lines of the latte art. Check out Blue J Coffee's Instagram posts for examples.
Blend 34 coffee consistently delivers the key elements of a great coffee.

Speciality Coffee Highlight -Rwanda Bourbon Karengera

Sun, 27 Jan 2019 14:45:13 GMT

Speciality Coffee Beans - Rwanda Bourbon Karengera

What makes Rwandan speciality coffee beans so good?

German missionaries first brought coffee to Rwanda in 1903 and due to the ideal growing conditions coffee plants grew well and produced ripe harvests of coffee beans. After initially pursuing a quantity versus quality strategy for their coffee beans the coffee farmers in Rwanda have realised the benefits that speciality coffee status brings and have realigned behind a speciality coffee strategy.

Natural resources enhance the speciality coffee beans

The high altitude, regular rainfall pattern, volcanic soil coupled with a good organic structure and abundance of the bourbon coffee varietal give Rwanda the ideal growing conditions for speciality coffee beans. Rwanda produces some of the finest speciality coffees in the world. Growing conditions are such that around half a million smallholder farms are thought to produce the fresh coffee beans often from not much more than a hectare of land.

Lake Kivu is one of the two largest growing locations for coffee beans and this is where the Karengara farm and coffee processing and washing station for the freshly harvested coffee beans is located. Situated at an altitude of around 1650m above sea level the rich volcanic soil on the Karengara farm produces fantastic coffee beans and ultimately a speciality coffee that scores 89.25 on the SCA (Speciality Coffee of America) cupping protocol. This Q score places the Rwanda Bourbon Karengara speciality coffee firmly in the top end of the Excellent category.

How does it compare as a speciality coffee?

Like many speciality coffees the harvested coffee cherries are fully washed and sun dried on raised African drying beds. The finished coffee beans are given a medium to light roast. The tasting notes which accompanied a previous batch of Rwandan Karengara bourbon coffee beans described the coffee as super juicy with a creamy body accompanied with tropical fruits with a very clean finish.

Not many speciality coffees can rate such a high Q score and the Rwandan Bourbon Karengara coffee bean is indeed an excellent speciality coffee.

How can I buy speciality coffee beans?

The nature of speciality coffee growing in single harvest small batches means that the coffee is only available for short periods. Blue J Coffee sources these speciality coffees as they become available and supplies them as speciality coffee beans in 250g sealed kraft pouches. The speciality coffee pouches are labelled front and back with the single origin speciality coffee producer information plus the Q score and tasting notes for each batch. Visit our online store or get in touch for more details on speciality coffee beans.

An Introduction to Speciality Coffee

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 14:44:31 GMT

What is Speciality Coffee?

If you like fresh coffee and wish to discover the range of flavours that can be found by exploring the coffee beans supplied from small producers in distinct geographical locations then speciality coffee could be for you.

Speciality coffee beans are generally only available in small batches as they are a single harvest of a particular varietal of coffee beans from a distinct geographical location. So quite literally with regards to speciality coffee when its gone its gone (unless the next coffee harvest is as good).

Specialty coffee is the US English version and Speciality coffee is the UK English usage. You will see either used interchangeably by coffee, food and beverage writers and bloggers.

The term Speciality coffee refers to the whole process of coffee bean production from farmer and the farm through the handling of the coffee cherries and their preparation prior to shipping through to final roasting and how the coffee is extracted from the final roasted coffee beans.

The term Specialty coffee was apparently first used by "Erna Knutsen in a 1974 issue of Tea & Coffee Trade Journal" . Having judged the beans that provided the best flavour, she used the term for the coffees which were produced in distinct geographical locations.

According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), coffee beans that achieve a quality or "Q" score of 80 or above on a 100-point scale are graded "specialty".

Speciality coffee is then further categorised as one of three grades. A coffee bean scoring between 80 and 84.99 is deemed Very Good. Then a coffee bean scoring 85 to 89.99 is deemed Excellent and finally a coffee bean scoring over 95 to 100 is deemed Outstanding.

Using the Coffee Quality Institute's tasting or "cupping" form the fresh coffee is brewed, tasted and then assessed on ten quality scores before some of the scores are combined into the final seven. The final seven scores are then transferred onto a matrix or web plan to give an overall picture of the qualities of the speciality coffee.

What Makes Speciality Coffee Special?

The qualities of the freshly prepared speciality coffees are assessed on Fragrance (of the dry coffee just after the coffee beans have been freshly ground), Aroma (of the brewed freshly coffee beans after hot water has been added), Flavour (flavor), Acidity, Body, Uniformity, Aftertaste, Clean cup, Overall, Balance and Sweetness. The coffee taster takes notes of the underlying flavours that are present during the assessment. These underlying flavours are later referred to as "tasting notes" and give an indication of the delicate flavours that underpin the particular speciality coffee beans. The taster also records the level of coffee roast and recommended brewing methods.

Whilst we as the finished coffee consumer and dare I say coffee connoisseur are able to experience the range of coffees available from speciality coffee producers . The coffee producers themselves have strong socio-economic and environmental reasons to submit their coffee harvests to the rigour of speciality coffee assessment.

Although the process to speciality coffee certification is more arduous it is worth it for the smaller scale coffee producer because if their coffee beans make the speciality grade they can command a premium price for their coffee bean harvest.

Speciality Coffee Around the World

Recognising the financial benefits of supporting coffee bean growers who operate in some of the worlds poorest economies has attracted the attention of global philanthropists including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As the coffee experience expands worldwide more speciality coffees will come through and enhance our experience of drinking coffee and I for one look forward to the next batch.