{"id":7267,"date":"2023-09-08T19:09:43","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T12:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=7267"},"modified":"2023-09-08T19:09:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T12:09:43","slug":"4-fundamentals-of-coffee-according-to-an-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=7267","title":{"rendered":"4 Fundamentals of Coffee, According to an Expert"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">F<\/span>am, it\u2019s officially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/pumpkin-spice-smoothie-recipes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/pumpkin-spice-smoothie-recipes\/\">PSL season<\/a>, which can only mean one thing: daily coffee runs to Starbucks are a go. Truth is, despite all the pumpkin spice #duuupes swirling around social media, nothing quite slaps like a venti pumpkin cream cold brew made by a Starbucks pro.<\/div>\n<p>In the food service industry, they say, consistency is key\u2014which is true when it comes to Starbucks\u2019 around the globe; no matter where you go their coffee almost always tastes virtually the same. Is it some kind of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tips-for-better-coffee\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tips-for-better-coffee\/\">secret barista sorcery<\/a>? Nope. In truth, the folks at Starbucks have established what they deem \u201cthe four fundamentals of coffee,\u201d that\u2019s the success behind their consistently great-tasting beverages everywhere you go. We caught up with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lennon-fediw-aba23135\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lennon-fediw-aba23135\">Lennon Fediw<\/a>, who\u2019s in charge of coffee education and experience at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.starbucks.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.starbucks.com\/\">Starbucks<\/a> and has nearly two decades (!) worth of experience in the coffee industry to learn what it <em>really<\/em> takes to make the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-make-perfect-cup-coffee\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-make-perfect-cup-coffee\/\">perfect cup of joe<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<h2><strong>What are the four fundamentals of coffee?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Even after decades of making coffee nearly every *groggy* morning it\u2019s quite possible that most of us haven\u2019t been clued in on the four fundamentals of making coffee\u2026 until now. As the manager of global coffee education and experience at Starbucks, Fediw\u2019s number one responsibility is ensuring coffee tastes great and that every cup meets Starbucks\u2019 high-quality standards. In other words, a day at the \u201coffice\u201d for Fediw can mean tasting over 400 cups of coffee daily\u2014talk about quality assurance and a major buzz.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/four-fundamentals-of-coffee\/\" current-title=\"The \u2018Big 4\u2019 (Very Basic) Barista Tricks To Try at Home for Better Coffee, From the Global Head of Coffee Education at Starbucks\" current-image=\"four-fundamentals-of-coffee-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-03-08\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/four-fundamentals-of-coffee\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/four-fundamentals-of-coffee\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/four-fundamentals-of-coffee\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>But after tasting so much coffee, how can Fediw even tell a good cup apart from a bad one? It all boils down to (pun intended) the four fundamentals of coffee: proportion, grind, water, and freshness. (And these apply to all types of coffee\u2014although number three will be slightly different when making cold brew.) So, let\u2019s break each one down.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Nailing the perfect proportions<\/h3>\n<p>One of the most important make-it-or-break-it factors for making <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/coffee-to-water-ratio\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/coffee-to-water-ratio\/\">coffee is nailing the proportions<\/a>, which Fediw says is two tablespoons (10 grams) of ground coffee for every six ounces (180 milliliters) of water. \u201cToo few coffee grounds result in over-extracted or bitter coffee. Too many grounds result in under-extracted coffee that does not achieve the full flavor of the blend,\u201d Fediw says.<\/p>\n<p>Proportion is the most common <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-make-healthy-coffee\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-make-healthy-coffee\/\">coffee-making mistake<\/a>, according to the coffee expert. However, he reassures us that it\u2019s also the easiest mistake to correct. <em>Phew<\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>One of the most important make-it-or-break-it factors for making coffee is nailing the proportions, which Fediw says is two tablespoons (10 grams) of ground coffee for every six ounces (180 milliliters) of water.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>2. Knowing that coffee isn&#8217;t one-grind-fits-all<\/h3>\n<p>Coffee certainly <em>isn\u2019t<\/em> one-grind-fits-all. Instead, adjusting the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/grind-coffee-beans-in-blender\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/grind-coffee-beans-in-blender\/\">size of the coffee grind<\/a> is imperative if good-quality coffee is the goal. \u201cDifferent brewing methods require different grinds. A grind that is too fine will trap water and result in a bitter, unpleasant brew. A grind that is too coarse leaves coffee weak and without distinguishing characteristics or flavors,\u201d Fediw says. But when in doubt, he suggests a coarser grind will generally be a bit more forgiving. \u201cOver-extracted coffee tastes much worse than under-extracted coffee, so when in doubt as to the brewing method, always err on the coarse side.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>And if you\u2019re grinding the beans yourself, Fediw recommends using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-coffee-grinder\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-coffee-grinder\/\">burr grinder<\/a>\u2014instead of a blade grinder\u2014whenever possible, which will help ensure the grind is more consistent, while reducing heat exposure which can disrupt the delicate oils and composition of the fresh coffee beans.<\/p>\n<p>That said, if you\u2019re ever unsure about the appropriate grind protocol, Fediw says you can always ask a Starbucks barista for a little help deciphering which type of grind is the right one for you (and your brewing method). \u201cWhen you buy whole bean coffee at Starbucks, you can ask your barista to grind the beans for you, picking the perfect grind for your preferred brewing method. For example, the beans will be more coarsely ground if you are brewing on a coffee press.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>3. Using the right type of water<\/h3>\n<p>Although water might seem like an afterthought, Fediw says don\u2019t be fooled. In fact, water can single-handedly make or break your cup of joe, which is why the folks at Starbucks take special measures to ensure they\u2019re always using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-water-for-coffee\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/best-water-for-coffee\/\">best type of water for making coffee<\/a>. \u201cWhile it may not seem like an important ingredient, coffee is 98 percent water. The type of water used when brewing greatly affects the final taste,\u201d Fediw says.<\/p>\n<p>To ensure water quality won\u2019t be the sneaky reason behind an off-tasting cappuccino, he recommends always using clean, fresh water that\u2019s filtered or free of impurities. \u201cAvoid soft water or well water, and use fresh filtered water when brewing coffee at home. A simple water filter pitcher with activated carbon helps brew the best tasting cup of coffee at home,\u201d Fediw says.<\/p>\n<p>And while we\u2019re on the topic of water, Fediw adds that H2O heated to \u201cjust off the boil\u201d or between 195-205\u00b0F is the ultimate sweet spot for extracting coffee\u2019s full range of flavors. \u201cWater that is too cool will mute the flavor and dull the coffee\u2019s aroma,\u201d Fediw says.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Maintaining coffee freshness<\/h3>\n<p>Simply put: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/does-coffee-go-bad\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/does-coffee-go-bad\/\">Coffee, moisture, and oxygen<\/a> <em>don\u2019t <\/em>mix well. That\u2019s why Fediw suggests always storing coffee in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it in tiptop shape. And contrary to popular belief, coffee beans <em>shouldn\u2019t<\/em> go in the refrigerator or freezer either. \u201cWe don\u2019t recommend storing coffee in the refrigerator or freezer as the cooling function used in them can cause moisture to condensate on the coffee which dulls the flavor. The best place to store coffee is in an opaque, airtight container or the original bag.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWe don\u2019t recommend storing coffee in the refrigerator or freezer as the cooling function used in them can cause moisture to condensate on the coffee which dulls the flavor. The best place to store coffee is in an opaque, airtight container or the original bag.\u201d\u2014Lennon Fediw<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>And although this may feel a little extra (especially without a bit of caffeine running through your veins), Fediw urges us to <em>always<\/em> use fresh coffee grinds each time we\u2019re making coffee. <em>Okayyyy, we hear you.<\/em> But if we must, Fediw recommends using coffee grinds within one week of being ground, at most.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>The unofficial *fifth* fundamental of coffee: Have fun<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Coffee making should be fun and isn\u2019t nearly as intimidating as it sounds. \u201cCoffee is approachable, and brewing a great cup is achievable, and doing the little things right helps avoid a lackluster cup of coffee,\u201d Fidew says. Plus, the best brew is ultimately the one that\u2019s available and enjoyable to you.<\/p>\n<p><em>An RD explains the benefits of drinking coffee:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Benefits of Coffee, Explained by A Dietitian | You Versus Food\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EsQt8aevoZw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fam, it\u2019s officially PSL season, which can only mean one thing: daily coffee runs to Starbucks are a go. Truth is, despite all the pumpkin spice #duuupes swirling around social media, nothing quite slaps like a venti pumpkin cream cold brew made by a Starbucks pro. In the food service industry, they say, consistency is &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7268,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7267"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7267\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7268"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7267"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7267"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}