Coffee & Tea For You and Me!

Hey guys. To go along with my recent blog about opening a coffee shop successfully, I wanted to mention the ebook "Espresso Business Mistakes." This book is a necessity for anyone looking to go into the coffee or espresso business. Check it out by Clicking Here!

And if you find that helpful, you will definitely enjoy Tony DiCorpo's books and business plans that are virtually fail proof. You can really gain a competitive edge with this information. Click Here to read about Tony's business plan!

Whether you've got the business plan laid out or are just entertaining the idea of starting toward your dream of opening a coffee shop, there's so much more to the industry than you ever thought possible. But don't worry; I'm going to give you some tips and tricks of the trade to get you on your way to a great business in the coffee/tea world.

Espresso machines are EXPENSIVE. However, the taste of your espresso is one of the most important facets of your business and can make or break you. You don't have to go too crazy on an espresso machine, however keep in mind that this is a worthwhile investment that you don't want to skimp on. Depending on the size of the coffee shop you want, most (if not all) coffee shops can get away with having two brewheads, so you shouldn't need to purchase a machine with three. Also, if you want the true, die hard coffee fanatics, go for a traditional machine rather than an automatic. Unless you're planning on having a line out the door for hours with unseasoned baristas, you'll be able to get through the morning rush on a 2-brewhead traditional machine, and (in my opinion) makes a much better shot of espresso.

Location is very, very key for coffee shops. When searching for a home for your coffee shop, position it within the driving path of morning commuters. Morning coffee drinkers would rather wait and drink the junk coffee at work than go way out of their way to stop for a good cup. If there's a few larger businesses in your city or town, try to position your location near an intersection close by. Even better - set up a drive thru window for the on-the-go workers that don't leave much time to stop.

One of the biggest revenue builders for you is going to be the sale of whole bean coffee as well as your coffee beverages. Make a big deal to your customers about what they're drinking and give them tips and tricks for brewing the same beans at home. This might mean they'll skip a few trips to your store, but a bag of beans costs way more than their three cups of coffee for the week. Most times customers will spend more on whole bean coffee if they get hooked, or introduce it to their office. All great opportunities.

Educate your customers. I can't emphasize this enough. When customers feel like they know insider, expert information about coffee or your products, they want to share that information. So they talk to their friends about what they learned at Jack's Coffee earlier that morning - FREE advertising! It makes them feel knowledgeable and gets them engaged in discovering new coffees and continuing their education.

You'll feel the urge to expand your menu to be as large as possible - something for everyone right? Try to resist this urge. Let your customers know that they can customize their beverages and definitely take into consideration any suggestions your customers give you, but don't put too much on the menu. When a menu is too large, people get overwhelmed. Often times people new to coffee will feel intimidated by a large menu of items that they aren't familiar with and this will add to the negative feeling for them. It's also helpful to list out what each item is on the menu. This might come in handy for those are aren't familiar with what a real cappuccino is!

Make sure you offer beverages other than coffee. This may seem silly to some, and a no-brainer to others, but let me explain why. I'm all about the coffee date. Coffee shops are known as a great place to get together and socialize or just sit and read. But many times they become less about coffee and more about the atmosphere. By offering items other than coffee you're ensuring that you're catering to anyone who wants to come hang out! Also, don't be shy about putting LOTS of comfy chairs and couches in your coffee shop. You can never have too much good seating for the readers and relaxers.

If you want more in depth information on opening your own coffee shop, I would recommend this book about the mistakes made by coffee-entrepreneurs. Click here to read more about the book.

One look at the Starbucks Sirena espresso machine and you'll fall in love - It's a very sleek, BMW-designed addition to your counter top. Sirena is really a winner when it comes to showmanship. I've seen espresso machines that cost twice as much that look junky in comparison, so if you're out for an impressive piece of machinery this is it.

Don't worry, I'm not trying to make up for its coffee-brewing short-comings by telling you about how great it looks. For my test-run with Sirena, I made a latte.

The first few minutes with the Starbucks Sirena, however, are a waiting game. It does take some time to heat up, but I don't think it was more than a minute before I could start brewing, and then a few seconds more to use the steam wand. The steam wand worked well and heated the milk much faster than I anticipated. If you've never frothed milk before, this steam wand has a little more power than most at-home espresso machines, but nothing too powerful. You may want to consult with someone who has steamed milk before using it. The good news is, if you're buying it from a Starbucks, the employees would be happy to help you get it figured out.

I proceeded to steam the milk and it turned out creamy smooth with a great foam top. Perfect!

The shots are really where it's at, and I was really impressed by the crema that came out of the machine. The espresso rolled out of Sirena a light golden brown - delicious! Almost the perfect shot - and from a relatively low-priced machine. It tasted perfect as well.

Overall, Sirena makes a great latte that's consistently delicious. It's also pretty easy to clean, so no worries there. And if you use it and decide that you don't like it after all, Starbucks does have a no hassle return policy.

It seems even when we buy the best beans, it never tastes quite as good when we brew it at home. There are many reasons for this and some of them can be eliminated!

1. Grind your coffee at home. First of all, are you buying your beans whole, or pre-ground? Though pre-ground coffee is convenient, you wont be getting that freshest cup. Once exposed to the air, the flavors in the beans begin to diminish. If you want that full-flavored cup, you'll need to brew the beans just after grinding them. And for an even better taste, find out what size grind (coarse or fine) correlates to the type of coffee maker you use.

2. Store your beans in an opaque, air-tight container at room temperature. Where are you storing your beans? Grandma always said, "Keep them in the freezer so they stay fresh!" Well this is 100% myth! NEVER store your beans in the freezer. Once you remove them, they will begin to accumulate condensation, and when you add water to coffee, the flavor is as good as gone.

3. Use the right proportion. One of the biggest problems with brewing coffee at home is that everyone makes it differently. Mom likes it a little weaker, so she puts a few scoops in and calls it good. Grandpa likes a kick in the pants, so he loads up the filter! Proportion is very important. You're not going to add the same amount of coffee when making a few cups as you are when you're making a whole pot for the family. For the best flavor, use 2 tablespoons of grounds (heaping) for every cup (8 oz.) that you make.

4. Use filtered water. Make sure that the water you're using to brew your coffee is filtered. Unfiltered water can add flavors to the coffee and alter the bean's taste. Not to mention if you have hard water, you could be leaving calcium deposits in your coffee maker.

5. Assess your coffee maker. Find a coffee maker with a slower brew time. It should take at least 4 minutes for your coffee to brew in order for the full flavor to be extracted. Also, make sure that your coffee maker heats the water to at least 180 degrees F. If the water isn't hot enough, these flavors wont be extracted no matter how long it takes to brew.

These are just a few beginning steps to making a great cup at home. Once you've mastered these, you can go into greater detail and get that cup to be as perfect as it is when you stop at your local coffee house.

We all know that the drink we love comes from a bean - the coffee bean. But when you think bean, you think green beans, lima beans, pinto beans, etc. These are completely different! They're green, white, sometimes black, but generally not the same thing.

The coffee bean we know actually starts out green. Well, actually it starts out red - in a coffee cherry. Coffee cherries are the fruit which grows on the coffee plant, producing (usually) two coffee beans inside. The fruit is generally discarded, leaving the harvested caffeine-beans, which begin their journey green.

In about 5-10% of coffee cherries grows only one single coffee bean, rather than the normal two. This single bean is known as a peaberry and is jam-packed full of flavor. These peaberries are often a hot commodity and can cost more than regular coffee because they are hand-sorted.

Coffee as we recognize it is the roasted, dark brown color. It gets this color through the roasting process. All coffees are not the same. Each coffee can be roasted differently to create different flavor profiles. There's a lot more science to the roasting industry than you even imagined! Here's a little known fact: Coffee beans lose some of their caffeine content through the roasting process, so if you're looking for a power punch, try a lighter roast. This may seem opposite from what you would think but the lighter the roast, the higher the caffeine content!

Coffee plants can be grown almost anywhere, but it takes the right climate to grow great coffee. The central/Latin America, Asia/Pacific and Arabia/Africa regions of the world produce the greatest amount of coffee - and probably some of the best! There are two different types of coffee that are grown, and ultimately two different coffee producing plants - Arabica and Robusta. Robusta plants have a higher yield of beans from each crop, but arabica beans are generally considered to be the better bean and are grown at a higher elevation. If you're looking for the best cup of coffee, make sure you're buying arabica beans.

Almost everyone has been on a coffee date. You get your cup and sit down to enjoy some conversation and get to know each other. But what if the cute girl across the table from you said, "Hey this Kenya is pretty good; I bet it would go great with some lemon bread." You might think she's a little nerdy for knowing what to pair with your coffee, but you'll probably be impressed with this newfound knowledge. And you'll get a delicious treat out of the deal.

Don't worry, if you're like most people you'll sip a cup and think, "It tastes the same as the last one." And chances are, if you're brewing it at home through your general, drop coffee maker, it does! (We'll save that topic for another day.) But if you're diligent and you try new and different varieties, you'll be able to start noticing the subtle nuances of each different cup.

Why would you want to do that? Well, let's face facts. You drink your morning coffee because you need a pick-me-up, right? Who doesn't. We'd all be drinking decaf if that wasn't the issue. Wouldn't you rather enjoy your morning beverage that suck down some dirty-tasting water or sludge-resembling substance? I know I would! And part of that is being able to taste the subtle differences in each cup.

Depending on the region where the coffee is grown, it will have a certain flavor profile. Coffee is grown primarily in three regions of the world: Central or Latin America, Africa and Arabia, the Asia Pacific region. Though farmers in these regions are growing the same plant, once it's roasted, you'll find that these coffees taste very different!

Coffee from Central or Latin America will have a "bright" taste, and can sometimes taste nutty. The finish will be very clean (you wont notice such a coffee after-taste).

Coffee from Africa and Arabia tends to be a little more exotic, and can taste like citrus or berries. They will also occasionally taste floral - but don't worry, it wont taste like you're eating a bud.

Asia-Pacific coffee is usually a little more on the heavier side - full-bodied as some will say. These coffees produce more of an earthy taste and are very robust. Not for the weak coffee drinker!

Many times, coffees from different regions will be blended together to create a combination of flavors that's really interesting and unique. These blends can become some of the best brews because they can mix-and-match beloved flavors from different parts of the world to create a more distinct coffee.

So how do you go from thinking that it all tastes to same to, "Wow, this is very bright and citrusy!" Well, just like you get good at anything else - practice. Now this doesn't have to be your newest hobby. When you get your morning cup, go to a reputable place where the employees are well versed in coffee. Starbucks does a great job of educating their employees in the types of coffees they serve. Ask them what they're brewing and take note of what they have to say about each one. If your barista says "Hey, we have the Discovery Blend on tap today, which is very fruity and full bodied," sip your coffee and try to take note of these characteristics. But don't kid yourself! If you don't taste it, you don't. Write down what you do taste. You'll develop a keen sense for coffee in no time.

Ask for a cup of tea in a restaurant and you'll likely end up with something black - probably an Orange Pekoe or an English Breakfast. Most people are familiar with black teas (they're also used to make iced tea, the kind you'd also get if you ordered one in a restaurant) and have probably tasted one or two, but did you know that there are at least 6 other kinds of tea out there?

Obviously Green Tea is another popular kind, widely known for its antioxidant health benefits, but if you'd like to branch out into the tea world, here are some other kinds and what to expect when you uncover them.

1. Oolong Tea. All tea comes from the same Camellia sinensis, but this tea in particular is very fragrant. If you've had tea in a Chinese restaurant before, this is likely what you were served. It's generally brewed on the stronger side and has a relatively sweet aftertaste. Oolong tea is closer in flavor to a green tea than a black tea, but it offers less of a grassy-type flavor than green. Oolong tea provides about 15% of the caffeine content you'd find in a cup of coffee.

2. White Tea. White Tea is the least processed tea of the all. Referred to as the purest tea, this tea also has the highest level of antioxidants. If you like a tea with less of a caffeine kick, this one is for you because it's very low in caffeine content. Delicate and naturally sweet, this tea is subtly complex.

3. Mate Tea. Mate tea is uniquely flavorful infusion, and contains a stimulant other than caffeine that reacts differently in the body from other stimulants. Often referred to as the "diet" tea, this tea can act as an appetite suppressant and is made from a wild shrub in Argentina called yerba mate.

4. Rooibos Tea. Also referred to as "red tea," this tea is made from an infusion of the South African red bush. Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine free and very beneficial to your health. It can occasionally contain pieces of fruit, causing it to be high in Vitamin C. It is also said to alleviate allergies.

5. Green Tea. Everyone has heard about the antioxidant benefits of green tea, but did you know that green tea can also be beneficial against gingivitis and cavities? Not only that, but it also works to regulate your blood sugar! Green teas range in flavor from fruity (when infused with these flavors) to a traditional grassy taste.

6. Herbal Tea. Herbal teas are different in that they are not made from the same Camellia sinensis plant, but rather they are an infusion of flavors from different fruits and herbs. Also known as herbal infusions, they are naturally caffeine free and each provides a unique health benefit based on the herb(s) being infused. Flavors range from fruity and light to heavy and fragrant. Cammomile tea has been used for centuries as a sedative and to aid in weight loss.

7. Black Tea. Of course, we still need to mention our most popular tea here in the west. Black tea provides 20% of the caffeine of coffee and often has a stronger flavor than other teas. Many people drink their black tea with sugar or cream. Medical research suggests that black tea may aid in lowering cholesterol!

Every espresso machine has a personality of its own, so it's important to know that there will be some variation in brewing times and techniques based on the machine that you're using. Here are some general tips for brewing great espresso:

1. First and foremost, time your shots. This may seem strange, but most machines will come with a manual that will let you know how long the shots should be brewing. If they don't, ask the person you're buying it from what the brew time should be. If you're buying it from a reputable vendor, they'll be able to tell you.

2. What if the shots aren't brewing within the time your machine would suggest? There are a few ways to combat this problem. If you're using espresso pods you have a little less leverage over this. If you're tamping your own shots (using ground espresso and then compacting it with a tamper or a spoon) you may need to adjust the amount of pressure you're using. The harder you compact the grounds, the longer the brew time will be; the less you compact the grounds the faster the brew time will be.

3. Is your grind correct? If your brew time is too long or too short, chances are your grind size is wrong. If your brew time is too long, it might mean that you're grinding your beans too finely. Try using a coarser grind. Conversely if your brew time is too short your grind is probably too coarse. If you have a burr grinder, which I highly suggest, you can adjust these settings fairly easily. If you're using a blade grinder, you'll need to grind longer for a finer grind and shorter for a coarser grind. And if you let someone at a coffee shop grind your coffee when you buy it, just let them know you need it ground differently than usual! If you tell a reputable coffee seller how you brew, they should be able to accommodate you.

Once you've got the timing right, here's how you can recognize the perfect shot:

- While brewing, the espresso will be a golden brown color rather than dark brown.
- Once brewed into a shot glass, you should be able to see the golden brown color remaining on the top of the shot; the bottom will be darker than the rest of the shot.
- The shot will have a bitter-sweet taste, rather than a sour or overly bitter taste. It also will not taste watery.