Hand Roasted Artisan Coffees

Roasting coffee transforms the chemical and physical properties of green coffee beans into roasted coffee products. The roasting process is what produces the characteristic flavor of coffee by causing the green coffee beans to expand and to change in color, taste, smell, and density. Unroasted beans contain similar acids, protein, and caffeine as those that have been roasted, but lack the taste. It takes heat to speed up the Maillard and other chemical reactions that develop and enhance the flavour.

Roasting levels:

City Roast (Light)

City Roast
This is a very light roast. It is about the light brown color of milk chocolate. Few coffees are well suited to this light a roast; however, there are some blends that are much better suited to the lighter roasting level.

City Roast Plus (Light)

City+ Roast
Slightly darker than the City roast. It is also a milk chocolate color. This is an excellent roast for a light flavor bean that won’t be made into flavored drinks (lattes and the like). It’s best for those who like to drink lighter coffees without anything added. The coffee flavor of lighter beans that are roasted to the City or City + level won’t cut through cream and milk in coffee drinks, leaving these drinks tasting somewhat flat.

Full City Roast (Medium)

Full City Roast
This is the most common roasting level. It is a dark brown color, typically used medium to full-bodied coffees. This roast with a good, strong bean will work very well in flavored drinks or with flavored syrups.

Full City Roast Plus (Dark)

Full City+ Roast
A very dark chocolaty roast. This will really bring out the spicy or “earthy” flavor of robust beans. This roast level is often used for espresso and cappuccinos.

French Roast (Dark - Espresso)

French Roast
This is a very dark almost black bean. Sometimes called Italian roast, this is a good roast for many espressos. (Interesting side note: there is no such thing as “espresso roast” – espresso beans are designated by the flavor of the bean and the level of the grind. Some beans make very good espresso at a lighter roasting level, of Full City or Full City+)

Grinding

We grind to basically three levels:

Coarse – good for automatic coffee makers and vacuum coffee makers (default grind, unless you request otherwise)

Medium -good for French Presses and Cowboy Coffee.

Espresso – (fine) good for … um… well, espresso. obviously.

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

Here’s a few hints for brewing the perfect cup of coffee at home:

Alright my first recommendation is to always use a French press. It’s the best way to get a great cup of coffee and its relatively easy, fast, economical and simple to clean. Ok, that being said, here’s a few other items for your consideration:

- Use clear, purified or filtered water. Coffee is about 98% water, so if you’re water tastes funny, your coffee will taste funny. Fortunately, Detroit is lucky to have astoundingly good, clean water. If you get Detroit City water, you probably don’t need to filter it. If you get well water, you’ll want to filter it or use bottled water.

- Use approximately 1 Tablespoon of ground coffee to every 6 oz. of water. Basically, this means you are using about 14 Tablespoons for a 10 cup automatic coffee maker. If you like your coffee a little stronger, add a little more. If its too strong for you, scale it back a little. It’s coffee – make it how you like it. How do I like it? I just use a giant serving spoon and spoon in about 2.5 to 3 big spoonfuls for my 12 cup coffee maker. But I’ve got it all figured out to match my own personal tastes.

- Store your beans in an airtight container – do not store them in the freezer or Refrigerator. There are a bunch of scientific mumbo-jumbo reasons why, and lots of debate about whether you should or shouldn’t, but it all comes down to the beans’ porous-ness. The chemicals don’t break down as fast and the beans absorb bad flavors from your freezer/frig. Store them in a cool dry place away from light, heat, moisture.

CLEAN YOUR COFFEE MAKER! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from people that they never clean their coffee maker (another good reason to use a coffee press – clean up is much easier).

Uugh!!...Clean that Coffee Pot

Coffee “residue” will build up and affect the taste of your coffee.

Best Roasted Coffee Beans on the Planet