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The adventure continues

Still playing with fancy coffee. I got this book, and it’s been a big help (I didn’t pay that much for it, though).

One thing he said has stuck with me. In coffee terms, he says, bitter is the opposite of acid (sour).

Not in absolute terms. I can think of things that are both bitter and acid. Lemon zest comes to mind.

But in coffee, dark roasts are bitter and light roasts are acid. Or so he says. Starbucks is all dark roast, and I think I’d describe it as acid rather than bitter (I hate Starbucks).

In fact, I’ve thought about this so much over the past few days, I’m not sure I understand what bitter *or* acid means any more.

Does this resonate with you?

Interesting tidbit: he says the lightest roast Starbucks sells – the Blonde Roast – is darker than the darkest roast most small artisanal roasters offer.

I’m just grateful I’m not into espresso. That’s the real money sink.

Hoffmann has a YouTube channel, if you’re innerested. I haven’t watched many of his videos, though.

Comments


Comment from EspressoBold Pureblood
Time: February 27, 2023, 8:59 pm

I shan’t be upset that you are just not that into me!

I shan’t, I say! I shan’t!

(I did change my user name to create the joke, though…)


Comment from durnedyankee
Time: February 27, 2023, 9:01 pm

That’s because the Star-*&ck business model is to sell burned coffee to people who intend to fill their cups with sweet flavoring like Tejano laborers in 7-11 (8 packets of sugar and half a cup of creamer per large cup thankyou) but prefer to pay a fortune for that privilege because they have more money than brains.

Mrs D got a subscription from Son #2 and finally! Drunk black I could taste the ‘hint’ of flavoring advertised on one of the little 4 cup packets – Bananas Foster, it actually had a banana flavor hint to it. This morning was “King Cake”, which had a sort of cinnamon flavor.

I’m trying to learn to make a cup of coffee that isn’t intended to keep the mid watch awake at their stations.


Comment from Ben
Time: February 27, 2023, 10:55 pm

“In fact, I’ve thought about this so much over the past few days, I’m not sure I understand what bitter *or* acid means any more.”

It’s a common phenomena: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_satiation


Comment from Tim Carlson
Time: February 28, 2023, 12:33 am

“(I hate Starbucks)”

Me, too!


Comment from BJM
Time: February 28, 2023, 4:15 pm

Money sink you say? It depends on how long an espresso machine lasts. Our 35 yr old Gaggia was beastly expensive even in Italy. Unfortunately, parts are no longer available so I’ve got my eye on this beauty.

BTW- Off Topic – I’m listening to Stephen Fry read his Mythos…excellent and entertaining as all get out. The man has a dry wit and a brain the size of Texas.

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