Toddy

23 02 2010

Is the trademarked term referencing a cold, brewed-coffee method. It has become part of the lexicon, as a generalized term. The generic term for toddy is cold, brewed coffee.

Some coffee establishments call it cold, brewed-coffee concentrate.



Tamping

23 02 2010

Tamping coffee grounds is necessary to produce a consistent spread of water over the entire espresso shot. Tamping is needed to prevent the channelling of the water flowing from the porta-filter through the roast. If the spent grounds do not come out in the shape of a round, puck shape then the water from your unit is not reaching your espresso evening. Proper tamping requires a consistent force of up to about 30 lbs.



Tamper

16 02 2010

A short, disc-like object that is usually two or three inches in length. It is commonly made of metal or plastic, and the handle part can be wrapped in wood. Tampers are often hand-held accessories or attached to espresso grinders.

Author’s note:
Attached tampers allow baristas to handle the tamping operation with one-handed flair, but is slightly harder to get proper compression and hand tamping is preferred. Commercial machines like the La Marzocco Swift Espresso Grinder can dispense beans and tamp the grounds automatically.



Swiss Water Process

16 02 2010

The Swiss Water Process is a 100 per cent, chemical-free coffee decaffeination process. Most decaffeination processes use chemical solvents, such as methylene chloride (MC). The Swiss water process uses only water to remove caffeine, producing a water processed decaf coffee.



Storage

9 02 2010

Whole bean coffee tastes best within the first week after it’s roasted. If it’s ground, coffee goes stale quite fast. After it is ground keep it in an air-tight container, in a cupboard or pantry, away from heat, moisture or direct sunlight. Do not store your coffee in the fridge or freezer it will reduce the quality of the roast and evaporate the oils that contain most of the roast’s flavour.



Steaming Pitcher

9 02 2010

A stainless steel container used in conjunction with the steam wand to make frothed milk.

Author’s note:
The best steaming pitcher are small containers where one drink is made per container. This will cut down on cost but also to stylize the drink by customer request.



Can a Coffee Chain Expand and Keep Quality?

3 02 2010

The Globe and Mail one of my favorite newspapers has a really decent article on micro-chain café expansion. They talk with Willie Mounzer, co-owner of Caffé Artigiano, Vince Piccolo of 49th Parallel and John Neate of JJ Bean and some guy from Starbucks PR. It is a really in-depth and decent article and sums up the current café scene quite nicely.

This winter I was able to have a long chat with Wille Mounzer at the Canadian Coffee and Tea Show . He expressed that growth is natural for a chain and finding the right people for the job is important.  He explained that taking short cuts behind the bar leads to less quality product, to which I agree. The varying quality I have seen from chains leads me to believe that even the mighty Artigiano can’t keep the quality consistent and still expand. I’d agree with Owner John Neate of JJ Bean, who I have found more consistent in his cafes across the board.

“For us to go to Toronto, we’d have to compromise what we do. You can only have so many stores, I don’t know how many, but I think after 20 it’s hard to remember all the managers names and their families. We’re pretty close to our maximum size around 10.” Said JJ Bean Owner John Neate ~ As published in the Globe and Mail Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010.

That comment pretty much sums it up in my mind but don’t take my word for it.  Head down to your favorite café, grab a copy of the paper and decide for yourself.

The Globe and Mail Newspaper

The Globe and Mail Newspaper



Steam Wand

2 02 2010

A pipe stem connecting to the top of an espresso machine that is used to provide the steam for frothing milk.



Sour

2 02 2010

An excessively sharp, biting and unpleasant flavour (For example, vinegar or acetic acid). Soury flavours are sometimes associated with the aroma of fermented coffee. A sour taste is caused by overripe or already fermenting cherries, or by improper fermentation where yeasts and alcohol form vinegar-like acids. Soury flavours are often confused with acidity, which is the slightly tangy sensation associated with light-roasted coffee flavours.