Having recently travelled a lot for work, I know how expensive frequent trips to coffee shops can be.

My need to feed a daily cappuccino habit, soon burnt a large hole in my wallet.

And, I am not alone.

Far from it.

The alternative is to make your cappuccinos at home instead.

One of the key questions that you will need answered is what are the best beans for cappuccino?

And for those of you in a hurry, just buy these. 

For everyone else, hold on tight as I explore all the elements that go into making a perfect cup of cappuccino.

What is Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is an espresso based coffee.

It consists of a double espresso and a similar volume of hot milk.

Cappuccinos are made using espresso machines and the milk is prepared via a steam wand.

Did you know?

That as part of the world barista championship, contestants must make four cappuccinos…

Difference Cappuccino and Latte

It can be very hard to get your head around the subtle differences between some of the most popular espresso based drinks.

And it tends to “boil down” the amount of milk and its texture.

So let’s take a look at the difference between a cappuccino, latte and flat white.

A cappuccino has two ingredients and three textures and they are all equal- ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk, ⅓ foamed milk.

A latte has the same two ingredients, three textures but they are unequal- ⅙ espresso, 4/6 steam milk, ⅙ foamed milk.

Finally a flat white has the same two ingredients and two textures- ⅓ espresso, ⅔ frothed milk.

Cappuccino Variations

Cappuccinos come in slight variations as well.

Remember a traditional cappuccino is a three layered drink and the layers are equal.

Chiaro

A cappuccino chiaro is also called a wet or a light cappuccino.

In this variation, there is more steamed milk than frothed milk (light, wet)

Scuro

On the other hand, a cappuccino scuro, which is also called a dark or dry cappuccino has gets more frothed milk than steamed milk.

Freddo

A cappuccino freddo is a traditional cappuccino served over ice.

History of Cappuccino

Cappuccino is named after an order of monks, who were called Capuchin.

The order of monks were named after the color of their robes, which were light brown.

The drink was created by the monks to celebrate a famous victory in the seventeenth century.

Finding traditional arabic coffee too strong, they diluted it with cream giving the drink a similar color to their robes.

The drink also has some Austrian roots, where a similar coffee drink was called “Kapuziner” in the 18th century.

Cappuccinos were unheard of outside of Italy until the 1930s.

How popular is it?

I have found it quite difficult to get any up to date and specific data about cappuccino but I did find this in a survey from 2015.

12% of American women drink cappuccinos whereas a whopping 22% drink lattes.

How to Make Cappuccino

In this quick video, you are shown the 4 steps needed to make a cappuccino

Remember, cappuccino is normally a 5 or 6 oz drink.

It contains three ingredients of equal amounts;

• a shot of espresso(2 oz)
• milk (2 oz)
• foam (2 oz)

Step 1: grind your beans
Step 2: make your espresso
Step 3: steam your milk
Step 4: Add the milk to the espresso.

Best Grind

The best grind for your cappuccino is an espresso grind because every cappuccino starts with a great espresso.

Espresso need a fine grind of bean because the hot water is forced through the coffee grinds at a high speed.

As a result, the coffee and water do not spend very long together and so because the grinds are fine, they dissolve quicker releasing all of their lovely flavors.

The grind size is a far more important factor in creating a cup of good cappuccino than either the type of roast that you opt for or whether you drink a blend or single origin coffee.

Light, Medium or Dark?

Traditionally, dark roasts are the recommended roast level for your espresso.

This is because many people expect an espresso to have a strong almost bitter flavor that is most readily associated with darker roasts.

A safe bet for a beginner would be to opt for medium to dark roast- such as a French or Italian roast.

But over time don’t forget to experiment and try different roasts.

Different roasts have very different flavors.

Light Roasts

Lighter roasts contain far more flavors from the coffee beans themselves than over types of roasts because they haven’t been roasted for as long.

Too many people a light roast lacks balance, it tastes too acidic.

You can be overwhelmed by citrus and floral flavors.

Medium Roasts

At their best, medium roasts balance the flavors between the coffee beans and the roasting process.

The roasting process begins to add a real sweetness to their natural flavours.

Dark Roast

With dark roasts floral and fruit flavors disappear as chocolate, nutty and caramel flavors dominate.

The flavors of the coffee beans have been replaced by the flavors of the roasting process.

Single vs Blend

Packs of single origin beans will tend to have a much more individual and distinctive flavor than a pack of blended beans.

In fact, if you are serious about really finding out what coffees you like then experimenting with a few single origins is a great place to start.

It will help your understanding of individual flavors more than just flitting from blend to blend.

Common Mistakes When Making Cappuccinos

The most common mistakes that people make when they are making their cappuccinos are related to steaming the milk and making the espresso.

The most common mistakes made in preparing the milk that include:

#1. Not purging the steam wand

Before you dip your wand into your milk, you need to let off a couple of blasts of steam.

Not only with this clean the end of your wand but it will also heat it up up so that when you place it in your milk it is ready to go.

#2. Not immersing the wand enough

Many inexperienced users are too hesitant and tentative and they don’t push the wand down into the milk enough.

#3. Not moving the milk pitcher

Another common mistake of cappuccino newbies is that they do not move the milk pitcher around and just hold it in one place.

As a result not all of the milk has been steamed.

#4. Making the milk too hot

Frothing and steaming milk is a skill that takes practice.

Sometimes in trying to make sure that the milk has been prepared properly, we overdo it and start to boil the milk.

Boiled milk will go flat and spoil all of your hard work.

And what about mistakes that are made when making espressos?

Common mistakes when making espressos, include;

#5. Using stale grinds

You coffee grounds need to be fresh because coffee will quickly go stale.

Stale grinds will taste “flat” and lack any sort of flavour.

#6. Grind too coarse

Espresso are made quickly. Water is pushed through the coffee grinds at high speed. If your grind size is too large, not enough of the coffee would have dissolved.

Your espresso will taste and look a bit watery.

#7. Grinds not tamped

Your grinds need to be tamped (or pressed down) in the portafilter. If you don’t tamp your grounds, then your coffee will also taste watery.

Health Benefits

Different Types of Cappuccinno

Cappuccino vs Flat White

Cappuccino vs Latte

Different Ways Make Cappuccino

Advantages of Cappucino

[1] Lavazza Super Crema

Details

• Grind Coarse
• Weight 2.2 lb | 35 oz.
• Roast Medium
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

This is a very popular coffee from one of Italy’s finest.

This is a great coffee that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

With notes of honey, almonds, and dried fruit, this is a coffee with a great flavor. 

Specifically created for espressos these coarse grinds are guaranteed to give a wonderfully crema.

This smooth blend combines sweet Brazilian coffee beans with beans from Central and South America.

[2] Koffee Kult (Dark Roast)

Details

• Grind Bean
• Weight 32 oz.
• Roast Dark
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Koffee Kult organically source and fair trade these Colombia, Guatemala and Sumatra coffee beans.

These beans are roasted and packed immediately.

This is a strong and bold but incredibly smooth coffee.

With its resealable pack, these coffee beans will stay fresh and every cup will have the same freshness.

[3] Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger

Details

• Grind Bean
• Weight 2.2 lb | 35 oz.
• Roast Medium
• Organic Yes
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Isn’t it interesting how many bags of premium coffee blends use plain black packaging?

Its almost as if they don’t want anything to detract from the quality of the product.

Roasted at altitude in Canada, true to its name, this coffee will leave a strong impression.

These are organically and fair traded beans from Africa, Indonesia and Central and South America.

This medium roast has aromas of blackcurrant, milk chocolate and brown sugar and flavors of wild berry syrup with a cocoa finish.

[4] Deathwish Ground Coffee

Details

• Grind Medium
• Weight 1 lb | 16 oz.
• Roast Dark
• Organic Yes
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No!
• Find Out More

Features

And here is a pack with skull and crossbones!

Claiming to be be the world’s strongest coffee, these grounds have double the caffeine content of other coffee beans.

This is not a pack for the feint hearted.

A few reviews mention getting the shakes after drinking a few cups of this, which is enough to put me off.

But then again perhaps I am a coffee lightweight.

Despite their bad boy image, this dark roasted coffee is organic and fair traded.

Treating their beans like royalty, Deathwish coffee comes with a simple money back guarantee.

[5] Coffee Bean Direct

Details

• Grind Whole Bean
• Weight 5 lb | 80 oz.
• Roast Italian Roast
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

This is a large 5 lb bag of whole beans.

Perfect for those of you who work in a coffee loving office or live in a family who are high on caffeine.

These beans from the Americas and India have been Italian Roasted and they have been specifically blended for espressos.

This will provide your cup of coffee with a smoky flavor with hints of cocoa powder and molasses.

[6] Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast

Details

• Grind Whole Bean
• Weight 1.25 lbs | 20 oz.
• Roast Dark
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

I guess a bag from Starbucks had to appear in this list somewhere didn’t it?

And this is a highly rated pack of whole beans that have been created so that you can enjoy your perfect espresso at home.

Just think about the luxury of grinding these beans in your pyjamas!

The beans have been dark roasted to give your coffee an incredibly intense and bold flavor with a hint of sweet caramel.

The flavor is sure to please whether you add milk or not.

[7] Cafe de Loja

Details

• Grind Whole Bean
• Weight 2 lbs | 32 oz.
• Roast Medium/ Dark
• Organic Yes
• Blend Single Origin
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

This is a very special bag of whole beans.

Grown at over six thousand feet in the Ecuadorian Highlands, this is a bag of single origin beans that are consistent prize winners in a national coffee championship.

If you are an Ecuadorian coffee nut, then treat yourself. 

A slower growth rate means that these beans have had a longer time to develop a delicious flavor.

Quite uniquely these beans have a deep and fruit flavor and thanks to the roasting process, there is no bitter after taste.

And with triple layered aluminium packaging has a 7 day freshness guarantee.

[8] Lavazza Espresso Crema e Gusto

Details

• Grind Whole Bean
• Weight 1 kg | 35 oz.
• Roast Not Specified
• Organic Not Specified
• Blend Yes
• Find Out More

Features

The second bag in this comparison produced by Lavazza.

It is a real struggle to get any specifics on this bag.

It contains whole beans and it weighs 35 oz was about the best I could do.

Judging by the feedback, this is a good quality bag of coffee.

And, it is made in Italy- the home of espresso.

Even the packaging is only in Italian.

Perhaps we should just rest easy and leave it to the experts.

[9] Blackwelder Coffee

Details

• Grind Whole Bean
• Weight 2 lb | 32 oz.
• Roast Medium/ Dark
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Another coffee with black packaging and a horse theme.

If you like an espresso with a strong caramel flavour, then give this bag of medium dark roasted beans a try.

Even with a dash of milk, the beans won’t disappoint.

The beans come from Latin America and Indonesia and they are roasted in small batches to guarantee freshness.

So fresh in fact that the roasting date can be found on the listing

[10] Cafe Don Pablo

Details

• Grind Whole Bean
• Weight 2 lb | 32 oz.
• Roast Dark
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Don Pablo coffee has a wonderful love story behind it.

About a man who when visiting his wife’s family in Colombia fell in love with a strong coffee tradition.

And so this pack contains a blend of top quality volcanic Colombian and Indonesian arabica beans.

These dark roasted beans give off beautiful smooth flavors that include dark chocolate, earthy tones and caramel.

[11] Jo Espresso

Details

• Grind Whole Bean
• Weight 12 oz.
• Roast Medium/ Dark
• Organic Yes
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Using a network of small coffee growers around the world, Jo Coffee is proud to use certified organic and fair traded coffee beans.

This 12 oz. bag of medium/ dark roasted whole beans has been specially blended for your espressos.

Promising a rich crema and beautifully smooth and strong dark chocolate flavors, this coffee will soon have you ordering another packet.

What is Cold Brew?

Cold brew coffee is brewed with room temperature or cold water for a 12- 20 hours. (don’t go over 20 hours because you will get some unpleasant woody tastes.)

Isn’t that Iced Coffee?

No. Iced coffee is brewed hot and then has ice added to it.

The water is normally added to coarse coffee grounds.

The water to coffee ratio can vary when you are making a cold brew.

It varies between 6-8:1 water to coffee grounds.

If in doubt, use more coffee rather than less.

This is because if it is a little strong, it can always be diluted with more water.

But, if you skimp on the coffee and the solution ends up too weak, you will just have to throw it away!

There are lots of different methods of making cold brew coffee and in the next section, we will look at five of the most common methods and a much less known about technique.

The Five Ways To Cold Brew Coffee

The five commonly used methods are all immersion methods.

This means that for the duration of the brewing process, the coffee grounds are fully immersed in the water.

The more unique approach is a drip method of making cold brew coffee.

For this, cold water is dripped onto coffee grounds and through a filter.

Making Cold Brew with a French Press

The short video above demonstrates how to cold brew coffee using a French press.

For this method, you will need a french press, coarsely ground coffee and a some water.

The great thing about the French press is that it has the filter built right into it!

Using a 7: 1 ratio, this means that you will need 140g of grounds for a liter of (room temperature) water.

Step 1: Pour the coffee into the french press.

Step 2: Add the water and using a spoon gently stir the mixture so that all the coffee grounds are in contact with the water.

Step 3: Put the lid onto the french press

Step 4: Leave for 12- 13 hours

Step 5: Plunge it (slowly!)

Step 6: Pour the coffee into a jug

Making Cold Brew Coffee With a Mason Jar

The short video above, highlights the steps needed to make cold brew coffee with a mason jar.

For this you will need a quart size mason jar, 50g (¾ cup) medium size ground coffee, refrigerated water.

Step 1: Add the coffee grounds into the mason jar.

Step 2: Now add the water until the water is just below the neck or shoulders of the jar.

Step 3: Screw the lid on the jar tightly and turn the jar upside down a few times to make sure that all of the coffee mixes into the water.

Step 4: Now place the jar into your fridge for 16 hours.

Step 5: Take it out of the fridge and filter it.

In the video a Hario Glass Dripper is used.

But you can use your basket from your drip coffee maker or a fine meshed strainer.

The coffee will take a few minutes to filter so be patient.

Step 6: Now you can drink this coffee how you like, perhaps you fancy an iced coffee

Making Cold Brew with an AeroPress

A third popular way to make cold brew coffee is with an AeroPress and the video above provides a step by step guide about how to do it. 

This is a great choice, if you just want a single portion of cold brew coffee.

Step 1: Place 35- 40 g ground coffee (use a grind between espresso and drip) into your aeropress

Step 2: Add 150 ml of room temperature water.

Step 3: Stir the grounds and water so that they are well mixed.

Step 4: Place the cap on the aeropress and leave for between 12 and 24 hours.

Step 5: Now plunge the aeropress and empty the contents into a mug.

Step 6: If you want to store this in a fridge put it into an airtight container.

Now that we have covered the three main methods of making cold brew coffee using immersion methods, it is time to turn our attention to a different approach. 

Making Cold Brew With a Drip “Machine”

Dripped cold brew is a very popular method of making cold brew coffee in places such as Japan but it is less well known elsewhere- especially in America.

It is a far more challenging way of cold brewing than any immersion method because it is much more high maintenance and “hands on”. 

The immersion method, once it starts can be left alone, but the drip approach needs to be looked at now and then to make sure that the drip rate is consistent.

And then there’s the fact that some of the equipment looks like a work of art- with all the curved glass. 

But fortunately the drip approach only lasts between three to six hours.

Cold brew coffee made via drip is less concentrated than the immersion method because the water spends less time “with” the coffee.

The Best Grind for Cold Brew Coffee

Like most other brewing methods, having the correct size grind is crucial to your cold brew success.

If the coffee grounds are too fine, the coffee will be over extracted (it will have an overpowering and bitter flavor.)

Too coarse and the coffee will be under extracted (it will have a taste that is weak and salty.)

The most recommended grind size is coarse- similar to the grind size that you would use in your french press.

Advantages of Cold Brew

• Stronger: The coffee that is brewed is much, much  stronger than the coffee brewed using other methods. 
• Smooth:  Cold brew coffee has a much smoother taste because of the amount of time that the grinds have spent in contact with the water
• Less Acidic: better for people with delicate stomachs/ reflux
• Nothing New: If you fancy trying out cold brewing coffee, many methods use equipment that you might already have
• Concentrate: The coffee is stronger and so it can be watered down and made to last longer. 

Disadvantages of Cold Brew

• Time
• Uses lots of coffee
• Less Antioxidants

History of Cold Brew Coffee

Which came first? Dutch or Japanese cold brew coffee?

A bit like the chicken and the egg, no one truly knows if the Dutch or Japanese were the first ones to brew coffee using cold water.

Some believe that it was Dutch sailors who created it because it was easier to create and store on their long voyages by ship in the 1600’s.

Others look to Kyoto in Japan in the 1600’s where cold brew coffee was created by letting water drip onto ground coffee.

In the 19th century, members of the French foreign legion were served a coffee concentrate diluted with cold water.

In the mid 20th century the Brits had a brand of coffee called “Camp Coffee” that was based on a cold brew method.

And in the Swinging 1960’s the first cold brew coffee system was created by Todd (Toddy) Simpson after a visit to Guatemala.

In the mid noughties it was still a very niche product in the USA and was restricted to the South.

It all changed in 2015, as Starbucks introduced cold brew coffee throughout the U.S. 

Common Mistakes Cold Brew Coffee

To my reckoning, there are 10 common mistakes that you can make to wreck your cold brew process and here they are;

#1. Grind Too Fine

This is one of the biggest mistakes that a cold coffee brewer can make. If your grind is too fine (and remember that we are looking for a coarse grind) then your coffee will taste too bitter because the grinds have dissolved too much.

The delicious flavors from the beans have dissolved as well as other nasty “woody” type flavors as well.

#2. Impatience!

Another big mistake that can be made is caused by impatience- the coffee is not given long enough to brew.

The world and his wife has an opinion on the ideal duration for the coffee to brew.

I have read blogs that say that brew time should be 12 hours, or 18 hours or 24 hours (and a few dodgy claims that you should leave it for 36 hours.)

But the one thing I haven’t read any advice that is shorter than 12 hours.

So at the bare minimum leave your brew for 12 hours.

Make it easy on yourself and leave it overnight- that way you won’t be so impatient!

#3. Small Batches

Because the brewing process takes so long, to many people it doesn’t make sense to make a small batch of cold brew coffee.

After all, you can store it in your fridge for at least a week.

So, why not make a week’s worth of coffee?

There are exceptions to every rule and in this case, it will be aeropress addicts who do everything coffee related in an aeropress.

#4. Straining Too Quickly

Strain your brew carefully and slowly.

It would be a shame if after all of this waiting, you end up spitting grounds of coffee out because you just couldn’t wait.

#5. Drinking It Neat

Cold brewing coffee creates a concentrated coffee.

It isn’t meant to be drunk neat, however rough last night was!

The caffeine content of a neat cold brew could see you bouncing off the walls for hours.

Treat cold brew coffee in the same way that many people treat Scotch- it needs to be diluted.

It has been hours in the making, try not to consume it in one go.

#6. Using Freshest Beans

Cold brewing is not a process that requires the freshest and best quality grounds that you can possibly lay your hands on.

But neither should you use it as a means of using up that bag of coffee that has been sitting in the back of your cupboard since the beginning of time.

Cold brewing is a slow process that makes it a more forgiving.

Try cold brewing with your everyday beans and save your “birthday” beans for other coffee brews.

#7. Wrong Ratio

This is an easy mistake to make, because “man oh man” that looks like a lot of ground coffee.

You are right, that is a shed load of coffee.

But remember cold brew coffee makes a concentrate that you can dilute with water or milk or.

Trust the scales or the cup you are using and not your eyes- you won’t be disappointed.

#8. Water Temperature

In describing a cold brew system, some experts write about the ideal temperature of water that is needed.

Should you use room temperature water or chilled water. Maybe I should buy a thermometer?

Stop it!

Don’t let the indecision prevent you from brewing.

Both approaches will create lovely coffee.

Try using water of different temperatures.

#9. Storing It Too Long

This is tempting.

After all think of the effort that you have put in to creating this cup of “heaven”.

However tempting it might be too savour it for as long as possible, know this.

Cold brew concentrate can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks but the taste will deteriorate after just a week.

#10. Stuck in a Rut

The last mistake that any of us can make with our cold brew system is that we never ever alter it.

Don’t get stuck in a rut and follow the same guidelines repeatedly.

Experiment a little.

How about using a different type of roast? Or leaving it to brew for slightly longer? What about mixing up the ratio between water and coffee?

Making slight changes might surprise you and make an even better cup of coffee.

Tiny Footprint Cold Brew

Details

• Grind Bean
• Weight 16 oz.
• Roast Light & Dark
• Organic Yes
• Blend Not Specified
• Decaf No
  
• Find Out More

Features

This is my kind of company.

The Tiny Footprint company is the world’s first carbon negative coffee company.

As well as producing great coffee, this company invests in reforesting Ecuador’s cloud forest.

These organic beans are a wonderful mixture of a light and dark roast with a sweet, silky richness with subtle bright fruit and floral tones.

Get your mason jar at the ready!

Stone Street Cold Brew

Details

• Grind Coarse
• Weight 16 oz.
• Roast Dark
• Organic No
• Blend Single
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Stone Street cold brew is a very popular bag of dark roasted, coarse coffee grounds.

These Colombian beans have been specially selected to help you to create the perfect cold brew.

Its dark roast qualities are perfect for the long, slow soaking of a cold brew.

Your coffee will be very smooth with sweet and bold flavor.

With a three layer, state of the art resealable bag this coffee will stay as fresh as the day you bought it.

Bizzy Organic Cold Brew

Details

• Grind Coarse
• Weight 16 oz.
• Roast Light, Medium & Dark
• Organic Yes
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Bizzy coffee for busy people.

Bizzy want to make the cold brew process are easy as possible.

Using organic coffee from Peru and Nigeria, this pack contains not two but three different roast levels- light, medium and dark.

Combining together, these different beans create a marvellous sweet and smooth flavor.

The beans are then coarsely ground before being packaged and sent out to you.

Cold Brew Lab

Details

• Grind Coarse
• Weight 16 oz.
• Roast Medium & Dark
• Organic Yes
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Cold Brew Lab- what a great name for a coffee company.

An in our search for the perfect cup of coffee, many of us are coffee scientists.

This is another organic selection of Colombian Supremo beans.

Some of the beans are medium roasted and others are dark roasted before being mixed up and ground to an extra coarse size.

The result is a coffee that is less acidic, exceeding smooth and slightly sweet.

As Cold Brew Lab say, “stop wasting money at your local cafe and start brewing at home!”

Chosen Bean Cold Brew

Details

• Grind Coarse
• Weight 12 oz.
• Roast Medium & Dark
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

If your a person that likes attention to detail, you will love Chosen Bean.

Chosen beans are sourced from single origin farms in four different locations.

Each bean is selected according to an incredible 14 different criteria, including taste and size.

Hand roasted in small batches, this bag is a mixture of light and dark roasted beans.

Each bean is roasted to absolute perfection before being coarse grounded and packaged in a double layered bag that locks the perfection in.

And at the end of it all, your cold brew coffee will have notes of  sweet, milk chocolate and a hint of cherry.

Stone Cold Jo Cold Brew

Details

• Grind Coarse
• Weight 12 oz.
• Roast Dark
• Organic Yes
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Stone Cold Jo- is this the name of a coffee or a description of a big sister that we have upset?!

Either way, it is very clever.

This is a 12 oz. bag of coarse ground coffee from the finest Arabica beans- only the top 2% pass the “entrance” exam.

And these top quality beans are all organic and fair traded.

Yeah, but that is all well and good but what will my coffee taste like?

Every sip will have hints of toffee, caramel, chocolate, and grape.

That sounds great…

Don Francisco’s Organic Cold Brew

Details

• Grind Not Specified
• Weight 9 oz.
• Roast Medium/ Dark
• Organic Yes
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

How can you make cold brewing coffee easier?

Don Francisco cold brew comes in sachets, that just need to be emptied into water.

And many people like this convenience.

Particularly when the coffee is being prepared just before bed time.

Let’s face it, we are not exactly at our brightest.

This pack contains 4 sachets of organic ground coffee that has been specially blended to create a perfectly balanced and distinctively smooth cup of coffee.

Joe Coffee Company Cold Brew

Details

• Grind Coarse
• Weight 12 oz.
• Roast Not Specified
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No
• Find Out More

Features

Cleverly named the “Overnighter”, this 12 oz. pack is a newcomer to the cold brew market.

Selecting the finest coffee from hundreds of samples a year, the beans are roasted in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

The beans are roasted and ground on a weekly basis and each pack has a “roast date” to guarantee freshness.

Just how quickly will you finish this pack?

Your brew will have a smooth and sweet flavor with notes of chocolate, nuts and nougat.

Now, that sounds like my favorite chocolate bar!

Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew Coffee

Details

• Grind Coarse
• Weight 12 oz.
• Roast Not Specified
• Organic No
• Blend Yes
• Decaf No

Features

Cold brew coffee from a Donut company?

No, I have not gone totally mad.

Dunkin’ Donuts are thought to sell over two billion cups of coffee every year.

These are people who know a thing or two about coffee and their cold brew sachets are very popular.

Like Don Francisco, this cold brew comes in easy to use sachets that create the minimum of mess.

And this cold brew makes exceptional iced coffee.

A glazed donut anyone?

Finding a great tasting decaffeinated coffee that has been produced using a safe and natural process is a tough ask.

Many people drink decaf coffee for health reasons which is very ironic or sad even when you read about the strong (and potentially dangerous) chemicals which are used to produce 70% of the world’s decaffeinated coffee.

But more on that later.

The good news is that there is a safer and more natural process of decaffeinating coffee beans, called the Swiss water process and there are some very high quality coffees that are produced using this method.

Before I start going into any more detail about the decaffeination process, let me show you some of the most popular Swiss water coffees.

Brand

No Fun Jo Decaf

Kicking Horse

Cafe don Pablo

Fresh Roasted Coffee

Size

12 oz

10 oz

2 LB

2 LB

Roast

Medium Dark

Dark

Medium Dark

Medium

Whole Bean

100% Arabica

Fair Trade

Organic

Price

$11.99

from $6.99

from $27.75

$23.95

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Brand

No Fun Jo Decaf

Size

12 oz

Roast

Medium Dark

Whole Bean

100% Arabica

Fair Trade

Organic

Price

$11.99

Buy on Amazon

Brand

Kicking Horse

Size

10 oz

Roast

Dark

Whole Bean

100% Arabica

Fair Trade

Organic

Price

from $6.99

Buy on Amazon

Brand

Cafe don Pablo

Size

2 LB

Roast

Medium Dark

Whole Bean

100% Arabica

Fair Trade

Organic

Price

from $27.75

Buy on Amazon

Brand

Fresh Roasted Coffee

Size

2 LB

Roast

Medium

Whole Bean

100% Arabica

Fair Trade

Organic

Price

$23.95

Buy on Amazon

Did you know that the USA has the highest percentage of decaffeinated coffee drinkers in the world?

According to this study, 16% of coffee consumption in the USA is decaffeinated.

Whereas only 1% of Greeks, Fins and Norwegians drink decaf. Go figure.

But let’s take a look in more detail at the Swiss water process to find out why it is so great.

What is Swiss Water Decaf?

Swiss water decaffeination is a method of decaffeinating coffee beans.

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t use Swiss water but the name is derived from the fact that it was invented and first used in Switzerland- and it only uses water.

It was first developed in 1933 but it wasn’t until 1979 that it was looked at as a commercial process and later still that it was used on a wide scale.

It is a multi step procedure that uses three main ingredients (green coffee beans, Green Coffee Extract (GCE) and water) and involves natural chemical reaction.

It is quite a hard process to describe in words and so it might be helpful to watch the video below.

Green coffee beans are cleaned and then placed in water. Green Coffee Extract (GCE) is then placed in with the beans.

In the solution, caffeine from the (caffeine rich) green coffee beans is naturally absorbed by the (caffeine poor) GCE.

When the caffeine levels are the same in the Green Coffee Beans and the GCE, the GCE has the caffeine taken out of it using carbon filters.

The caffeine free GCE is placed back in with the coffee beans.

More caffeine flows from the coffee beans to the GCE until the caffeine levels are equal.

The GCE is then decaffeinated using carbon filters before once again being reintroduced with the green coffee beans.

This whole cycle is repeated until the green coffee beans are 99.9% free of caffeine- a process that takes around ten hours.

Other methods of decaffeination

Just like the Swiss water method described above, all methods of decaffeination happen with green coffee beans and not roasted ones.

There are three other methods of decaffeination.

Two of these are traditional solvent based methods and a third non solvent method that uses CO2.

Decaffeination Using Solvents

First, the two solvent methods. It is thought that 70% of all the world’s coffee beans are decaffeinated using a solvent.

Solvent methods use chemical solvents to remove caffeine.

The most common solvents used are methylene chloride or ethyl acetate.

In the direct solvent method, green coffee beans are firstly steamed in order to open up their pores.

They are then rinsed for about ten hours in methylene chloride or ethyl acetate.

The chemical solution and the beans are then separated.

The beans are steamed to get rid of any chemical residue.

Sounds scary doesn’t it?

The other solvent method is an indirect approach.

In this green coffee beans are soaked in very very hot water for several hours.

The beans and water are then separated and the beans are washed in methylene chloride or ethyl acetate for several hours.

The solvent decaffeinates the beans.

After the solvent and water are separated the beans are then soaked in the original water in order to reabsorb some of the natural flavours and oils.

It might be indirect but it still sounds very scary…

Decaffeination using CO₂

This is the newest decaffeination method, which was stumbled upon by the German scientist Kurt Zosel in the late 1960s.

This process starts with green coffee beans being steamed.

These beans are then bathed in compressed CO₂ (which absorbs the caffeine.)

The caffeine is removed from the CO₂ using charcoal filters (which is the same approach as the Swiss water method.)

However, this approach is used in a very limited way commercially and one reason for this could be is that it doesn’t produce great tasting coffee.

Now that we have look at the four main methods of decaffeination, let’s have a look at some pros and cons.

Natural vs Solvent Based Decaffeination- Pros & Cons

The Swiss Water and CO₂ methods are more natural and don’t involve any harmful chemicals.

An advantage that the CO₂ method has over the Swiss water is that the beans are not soaked in any way which some people believe robs the beans of vital flavors.

I am not sure if any of the two chemical treatments have any advantages, apart from the fact that since the majority of decaffeinated beans are treated via chemicals, it must help to bring us cheaper coffee.

Cons
The solvent based methods use strong chemicals, which cannot be good for us or good for the planet.

Perhaps you could argue that the Swiss water method might be very water intensive but it does seem to produce better tasting beans that the CO₂ method and it is commercially much more successful.

No Fun Jo Decaf

Details

• Size: 12 oz. 
• Roast: Medium Dark
• Grind: Whole Bean
• Bean Type: 100% Arabica
• Fairtrade: Yes
• Organic: Yes

Description

The Jo coffee brand is an organic coffee brand which was created to respond to the growing demand on Amazon for top quality coffee.

The founder is Kevin Kapaun who has been roasting coffee since the 1990’s.

Made from the very best Arabica beans- only the top 2% of beans are ever used in No Fun Jo’s blends.

This blend is a medium dark roast which provides sweet blueberry and milk chocolate flavors.

This coffee is also certified organic and free trade.

Who Should Buy It?

This coffee is perfect for someone who wants to drink the highest quality decaf on the market.

Not only is the Swiss water method the most natural way to decaffeinate coffee beans but this coffee is certified organic and fair trade.

It would suit suit lovers of medium dark roasts who like a hint of chocolate in the taste of their coffee.

Lastly, this is a 12 oz. serving which is a relatively small bag. The person who buys this wants to drink some of the freshest tasting coffee available.

Kicking Horse Decaf

Details

• Size: 12 oz. 
• Roast: Medium Dark
• Grind: Whole Bean
• Bean Type: 100% Arabica
• Fairtrade: Yes
• Organic: Yes

Description

With a motto of “wake up and kick ass”, Kicking Horse coffee is proud of its Canadian roots.

This dark blend of coffee is a blend of Arabica beans from Indonesia and Central and South America.

Your coffee will taste of a little chocolate with a hint of pecan nut.

This is another coffee that is certified organic and fair trade.

Who Should Buy It?

Like No Fun Jo’s, Kicking Horse Decaf is for the most discerning and conscientious customer who is interested not only in drinking the finest tasting decaf coffee but who wants that coffee produced to the highest ethical standards.

And the combination of Swiss water process, certified organic and fair trade standards tell us that.

This is a dark roast which can be brewed using the French press, Drip machine, Pour over or Cold brew methods.

Coming in a bag which is the same size as No Fun Jo’s, this coffee will suit coffee lovers who like their coffee very fresh.

Cafe don Pablo

Details

• Size: 2 LB | 32 oz. 
• Roast: Medium Dark
• Grind: Whole Bean
• Bean Type: 100% Arabica
• Fairtrade: No
• Organic: No

Description

Don Pablo is a family owned coffee company that grow their own coffee in Colombia and manage the production of over a million coffee trees in South America.

This packet contains 100% Arabica beans of the finest quality, which have been decaffeinated using the Swiss water process.

These beans are ground in rich, volcanic soil and are a medium dark roast to provide tastes of caramel, chocolate with a hint of citrus.

They are roasted in small batches to preserve the unique flavors of the beans and the freshness of them.

Who Should Buy It?

This large packet of whole bean coffee would really suit people who are partial to roasts from South America.

This larger bag of beans might not suit an individual (unless they drink lots of coffee) but it would be an excellent choice in a small office full of coffee addicts who love drinking coffee that is great quality.

Fresh Roasted Coffee Colombian Decaf

Details

• Size: 2 LB | 32 oz. 
• Roast: Medium
• Grind: Whole Bean
• Bean Type: 100% Arabica
• Fairtrade: No
• Organic: No

Description

The Fresh Roasted Coffee company was formed only in 2009.

As well as providing the best tasting coffee, the company is committed to the best ecological and social practices in its coffee production.

This large packet of whole bean Colombian decaf coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans, all grown in one region in Colombia.

The beans have been medium roasted to provide a rich flavor with hints of honey and walnut.

Who Should Buy It?

This pack of coffee is a real must buy for lovers of single origin beans. And these beans have been grown in the Huila Region of Colombia.

Once again, the larger packet size suits work places where good quality coffee is made for groups of people.