Welcome To The Refinery Cafe

Did you know?

There are approximately 2 coffee beans in each coffee cherry?

That Robusta Coffee Beans have more caffeine than Arabica Coffee Beans?

A darker roasted coffee contains less caffeine than one that has been roasted light...interesting.

It takes between 35-45 Coffee Beans to produce a shot of espresso.

The human body eliminates 20% of the caffeine out of it's system every hour.

What is the best way to brew coffee?

As with roasts and blends, there's no one "best" way to brew. On the other hand, there are a few simple guidelines which hold true for all brewing methods other than espresso.

1. Use freshly-roasted beans ground just before brewing.

2. Use the correct grind for your brewer. Too fine a grind causes a bitter brew, while too coarse causes watery coffee.

3. Start with one standard coffee measure (2 Tablespoons) of grounds for each 10 ounces of water; adjust this amount to taste with experience.

4. Use fresh water free from of taints and odors. Filtered or bottled water may be needed in some areas, but avoid distilled or softened water.

5. Bring the water to just below boiling (200 degrees F.). For drip brewers, the brew cycle should be completed in 4-6 minutes. Other good methods are the French Press and Vaccum pot, which brew in about 4 minutes. Avoid percolators and electrics with brew cycles longer than 6 minutes, as these over-extract the coffee and cause bitterness.

Why are some beans dark and oily and others not?

The quality and origin of the green, unroasted coffee, together with the time and temperature of the roast determine the final flavor and color of the coffee. Like cooking or wine-making, coffee roasting is an interpretation of agriculture ingredients, and many different styles exist.
All coffees contain nautural oils which are key to their aroma and flavor. In darker roasts these oils are brought to the beans' surface, while lighter roasts retain the oils within the bean. Decaffeinated coffees tend to be darker than regular beans as well, due to color changes caused by the decaffeination process.