A place to learn everything you need to know about coffee.
Here are answers to questions we field frequently at Red Cedar Coffee.
Single Origin? Fair Trade? Micro lot? What does it all mean? Consult our coffee lingo dictionary to learn how to speak like a coffee geek.
French Press, Chemex, and more… we explain the basics of popular brew methods.
Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Contact us with your questions. We’d love to hear from you!
During the roasting process the coffee bean will expand and change color. Medium roasts will be lighter in color once roasted. Coffees that have been exposed to higher heat at a longer time are dark roasts. Dark roast coffees will be visually darker in color and oilier.
The longer a coffee is roasted the less caffeine it will have, so generally medium roast will have more caffeine.
Oxygen is coffee’s enemy. Ideally you will want to purchase only enough coffee to last 2 weeks. Coffee should be stored in a cool, dry place within an airtight container (we love our Airscapes).
Do not store coffee in the refrigerator or freezer because coffee absorbs refrigerator odors rapidly. Coffee placed in the freezer can be exposed to moisture which will cause coffee to stale rapidly and lose its flavor. Keep coffee away from spices because of odor contamination. Coffee beans will stay fresher than ground coffee. Coffee should be brewed and enjoyed as soon as possible after purchase.
The French press is easy to use and great for brewing multiple cups at a time. It takes approximately 4 minutes to brew a full bodied cup of coffee.
1 ounce coffee, 16 ounce water, yields approximately 16 oz. coffee
Brew ratios are suggestions, brew coffee to taste.
Use filtered water.
Burr grinders work best for grinding coffee consistently.
Preheat your brewing equipment with hot water. This helps prevent a cool down effect while your coffee brews.
Brew using a piece of art! The Chemex was created in 1941 and is part of New York City’s Museum of Modern Art permanent collection. The thicker filter removes coffee oils which results in a smooth and very balanced cup of coffee.
1 ounce coffee, 16 ounces hot water (brews approximately 16 oz. coffee)
Brew ratios are suggestions, brew coffee to taste.
Use filtered water.
Burr grinders work best for grinding coffee consistently.
Preheat your brewing equipment with hot water. This helps prevent a cool down effect while your coffee brews.
Portable and lightweight, the AeroPress is a favorite brew method for road trips and wherever life takes you. The numbers on the chamber help guide you if you do not have a scale. Brews a single espresso-like shot or an Americano.
1 level AeroPress scoop is approximately 16g coffee
1 heaping AeroPress scoop is approximately 17g coffee
Compared to other brewing methods there are numerous techniques and recipes.
Use filtered water.
Burr grinders work best for grinding coffee consistently.
Preheat your brewing equipment with hot water. This helps prevent a cool down effect while your coffee brews.
The Hario v60 Dripper is a very easy-to-use, simple, pour-over brewer. Brews a clean, sweet cup of coffee. Great for brewing a single cup at home or in the office.
1 ounce coffee, 16 ounces hot water.
Brew ratios are suggestions, brew coffee to taste.
Use filtered water.
Burr grinders work best for grinding coffee consistently.
Preheat your brewing equipment with hot water. This helps prevent a cool down effect while your coffee brews.
