Coffee Preparation Techniques

Processed coffee beans require some preparation for them to be easily consumed because whole coffee beans are not consumable. Therefore, coffee preparation is the action of turning processed green coffee beans into a beverage. Preparation of coffee consists of three main steps. These are roasting, grinding and brewing. However, there are factors that affect the steps of coffee preparation such as the type of coffee desired and the raw materials used.

Roasting is the first step. It is the main step in coffee preparation as it determines whether pleasant flavors will either be introduced or lost. In this, both the physical and chemical properties of coffee are thoroughly changed. This means that the acids, aromatics and other components of flavor are introduced, balanced or altered. The beans expand to almost double the original size and change their color to dark brown. Oil appears on their surface. Roasting of coffee beans can be done by using ordinary kitchen equipment such as oven, grill, popcorn popper and frying pan. For commercial purposes, specialized appliances are used. Grinding is the second step and it facilitates the brewing process.

The roasted coffee beans are reduced into smaller particles or powder by crushing. The fineness or coarseness of the ground coffee affects the brewing process. Therefore, for best results, grinding must be matched to the brewing method(s). Chopping, roller grinding, pounding, and burr-grinding are the most common grinding methods applied worldwide. Ground coffee must not be stored for long as deterioration occurs as a result of oxygen exposure. This is the main reason why many people prefer to grind their roasted coffee immediately before brewing to maintain the quality of the coffee. Brewing is the last step and it involves introducing the ground coffee into hot water. This introduction can fall into any of the following categories: boiling, steeping, pressure or filtration. Brewed coffee requires to be served immediately to avoid loss of flavors. However, it can be stored in air tight containers for future serving.

Coffee preparation must be carried out carefully as roasting, grinding and brewing are dependent on each other. By having experience in one component, but not in another, will still yield unsatisfying results. One should learn to roast correctly, even if at home, using dedicated roasters or bread making machines, and then grind with a burr grinder. Conventional grinders can be frustrating to use, if the size of the grind does not meet the minimum standards required by espresso machines. The brewing of the coffee is of utmost importance, to maintain the correct temperatures while extracting the oils from the coffee beans.