Episode 72: This week, we (mostly Stephen, because it's his thing!) answer a customer's question about dialing in espresso extraction, and discuss how different roast methods can affect how the coffee is extracted. How do you figure out what's right (or wrong) with a shot of espresso? What steps can you take to adjust or "dial in" your shot? We dive into it all here!

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NOTES:

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Episode 71: This week, we (mostly Catherine, because it's her thing!) answer a customer's question about how to set up a coffee cupping, focusing on the nitty-gritty details of ratios, times, and temps. If you're interested in learning how to taste coffee the way professionals do, give this episode a listen!

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NOTES:

Cafe Kreyol study "How Long Should Coffee Rest..."

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Coffee Bean Corral YouTube

Coffee Bean Corral Website

Current Crop Roasting Shop Website

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Episode 70: This week, we answer a question from a listener who has been tracking his coffee's weight loss percentage from green to roasted, and using a very precise scale to determine roast level based on the moisture loss. He asks what we think of that method and for our tips on determining roast level using this and other means.

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NOTES:

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BONUS EPISODE: Stephen gave a talk at last weekend's NOLA Coffee Festival in New Orleans, which we recorded to release as a bonus episode! In "The Essentials of Home Roasting," Stephen covers both the conceptual aspects of coffee roasting as well as their nuts-and-bolts practical application to get you creating the coffee you want today. Even if you're an experienced roaster, there's sure to be a new perspective on the roasting process that just may help you improve your game! We hope you enjoy!

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NOTES:

View the slideshow here

Check out our limited offering of Arabica Coffee Plants here!

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Coffee Bean Corral YouTube

Coffee Bean Corral Website

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Episode 69: Have you ever wondered if the chaff makes a difference? Typically, larger specialty roasteries will tumble to "polish" their roasted coffee, removing the majority of the chaff in the process, but is this necessary for the home roaster? Does it really affect flavor or cup quality? We get into these questions while answering a listener's email, so we hope you enjoy!

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: [email protected]

NOTES:

Check out our limited offering of Arabica Coffee Plants here!

Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD

CHECK US OUT HERE:

Coffee Bean Corral YouTube

Coffee Bean Corral Website

Current Crop Roasting Shop Website

Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 68: This week, we dive into the colorful world of the Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel! While this tool can seem intimidating or overwhelming, it's actually quite useful for beginner coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike! Check out this episode to see how Catherine and Stephen use the Wheel, and how you can too!

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: [email protected]

NOTES:

Check out our limited offering of Arabica Coffee Plants here!

Here's an interactive Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel

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CHECK US OUT HERE:

Coffee Bean Corral YouTube

Coffee Bean Corral Website

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Episode 67: This week, we dive into a question from a listener about what makes a good shot of espresso, specifically, whether or not crema affects the overall quality of the espresso shot. This question is actually an interesting one, and more complicated than you might think! So check out this episode and share your thoughts in the comments!

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NOTES:

Sumatra Mutu Batak from Current Crop Roasting Shop

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Coffee Bean Corral Website

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Episode 66: If you want a consistent, well-rounded, complex, full-bodied brew without sacrificing flavor, you might have a hard time finding a single origin that'll fit the bill. That's where blending comes in! Blends have a lot of pros, but one major con -- creating them takes work. In this episode, we lay out a simple method to start coffee blending the right way, so you can get a delicious cup without chasing your tail. Happy roasting!

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NOTES:

1st Key: Know what flavors each coffee brings to the table. 

2nd Key: Roast to medium, and keep them separate until you're ready to brew.

3rd Key: Experiment with different ratios to find the perfect blend!

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Episode 65: Ever wondered how two of the most popular "level up" roasters perform head-to-head? Catherine and Stephen discuss the pros and cons of the Bullet R2 1-kilo roaster vs. the Kaleido M10 1.2-kilo roaster. From roast performance to chaff handling to ease of use/transport, we cover a lot of the real-world features/bugs that don't show up on the product page. If you're considering upgrading to a larger capacity roaster, you don't want to miss this discussion!

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NOTES:

Kaleido M10 1.2 Kilo Roaster at Coffee Bean Corral

Bullet R2 1 Kilo Roaster at Current Crop Roasting Shop

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Episode 64: This week, we explore the world of "alternative" processing methods, from co-fermenting to carbonic maceration. Our discussion is wide-ranging and seeks to answer the questions: "What? How? WHY???" PLUS: Stephen (a recovering coffee snob) shares his take on when a coffee processing method crosses the line into artificial flavoring.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: [email protected]

NOTES:

Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD

CHECK US OUT HERE:

Coffee Bean Corral YouTube

Coffee Bean Corral Website

Current Crop Roasting Shop Website

Rancher Wholesale Website