Your Ultimate Coffee Guide

Here's your ultimate coffee guide.

4 Main Types of Coffee Beans

Did you know that there are actually four main types of coffee? You might be familiar with Arabica and Robusta beans but there are two others that played a huge part in coffee history.

Arabica (Coffea arabica)

You have probably heard about Arabica as it is widely used all over the world. According to Illy, “There are several species of Coffea, the finest quality being Arabica, which today represents 59% of the world’s coffee production. Arabica originated in the highlands of Ethiopia.”

Robusta (Coffea canephora)

“It has a stronger and harsher taste when roasted, often described as burnt wood, grain-like and bitter. It is more disease and pest-resistant, due partly to its higher caffeine content and it typically produces a larger crop than Arabica”, as described by Barking Dog Roasters.

Liberica (Coffea liberica)

There are many great things to say about Liberica beans and lenscoffee couldn’t have said it better, “a unique and irreplaceable part of our worldwide coffee heritage, Liberica is an entirely separate species of coffee, with a very distinctive taste profile. Its almond-shaped beans have an exceptional aroma, almost floral and fruity, while its flavor is full and slightly smoky. This is a highly polarizing coffee.”

Excelsa (Coffea excelsa)

According to Atlas Coffee Club, “Excelsa grows mostly in Southeast Asia and accounts for a mere 7% of the world’s coffee circulation. It is largely used in blends in order to give the coffee an extra boost of flavor and complexity, better affecting the middle and back palate. Excelsa is said to possess a tart and fruity body- which are flavors reminiscent of a light roast- that also somehow has dark roasty notes. This mystery lures coffee drinkers from around the world to try and seek out the varietal.” If you’re a coffee enthusiast, it’s a must to try this!

How To Store Your Coffee

“Good coffee storage leads to good coffee quality.” - Unknown
How you store your coffee can greatly affect its quality. When you place it inside the fridge, it will absorb the aromas of the other food stored there. To get the best cup of coffee, take a look at the roast date and follow the good rule of thumb, that is to buy coffee beans that you’ll consume within a week. Then store it in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
One of our favourite coffee storage is from Friis. We believe that full flavour starts with fresh coffee. The Friis Coffee Vault - Coffee Savor blocks out light and air to seal in flavour. The Friis Freshness Valve vents away continuous CO2 gases that are a result of the roasting process. Stored in a cool, dry place, your coffee stays rich and full of flavor. Simply put, the Friis Coffee Vault - Coffee Savor keeps your coffee fresh longer.

Friis Coffee Vault Storage Canister Available In Black

The Friis Coffee Vault Storage - Coffee Savor model features a stainless steel base with an all black BPA-free polymer lid. It holds up to 600 grams of coffee. Also included is a measuring spoon, one year supply of Friis freshness valves, getting started instructions and the Art of Flavor booklet. Comes in silver or red too!

Brewing Equipment & Accessories

Aerobie Aeropress Coffee Maker System In A Box With Tote Bag

Coffee brewed in an Aerobie Aeropress Coffee Maker System is rich but smooth for good technical reasons. The first and most important reason is brewing speed. Coffee yields its rich flavors quickly. From when you add hot water to when you are ready to drink, the AeroPress takes about 30 seconds, just like a fine espresso machine.

Bialetti Moka 6 Cup Moka Induction Red Espresso Maker

The Moka Induction 6 cup retains the classic design elements of the original Moka Express, including its familiar and distinctive octagonal design, with an elegant blend of high quality and functional materials. The top is crafted from aluminium to preserve the delicious coffee aroma, while the boiler and funnel are made from durable steel and the handle and knob are coated with soft-touch silicone for safe use. It brews about 360mls(6 cup) of espresso in a short span of 3-4 minutes.

Casabarista 9 Cup Aluminium Percolator

Macchinetta del caffè (literally "small coffee machine" in Italian language) is a must have if you love making your own coffee in the comfort of your home. Tip: As with percolators, the pot should not be left on the stove so long that the coffee boils. Ideally, with a little practice, it should be removed from the heat before it actually starts gurgling - usually, when only about half of the top chamber has been filled. Buy Casabarista 9 Cup Aluminium Percolator here.

Hario Coffee Mill - Skelton

So much in our day-to-day life is electrified, but classic coffee maker company Hario believes the best things in life are slow - and unplugged! It's in this spirit that they designed their Skerton, which features a simple hand-grind mechanism and is designed to last for years. Explore life in the slow lane, and discover that you just can't rush perfection. Buy Hario Coffee Mill here.

Aeropress Filter Papers

The  Aeropress Filter Papers has been designed to remove grit for a smoother cup of coffee. The AeroPress method shortens brew time to 20 seconds or less.

Cafflano Klassic - Pour Over Coffee Maker

The Cafflano Klassic is an all-in-one coffee maker. Available in black or red, it serves as your drip kettle, hand mill grinder, stainless etching filter and thermal mug. It's economic to buy, portable for coffee lovers "on the go", and can be used with your favourite coffee. It's also eco-friendly as it requires no electric power, disposable filters or cups. Everything is rinsable and re-useable! Great for the car, office, camping, home or school. Cafflano can also be used to make delicious cold brew - great for the hot summer weather!

How to Organize Your Kitchen

A great kitchen is more than just having a stylish design. The way you organize your kitchen plays a big role in making your kitchen look and feel great. After all, who likes to cook in a messy kitchen?

The first step in organizing your kitchen is to declutter it. Do you still have wedding-registry items that are yet to be opened? Perhaps you’ve been so tempted to order that kitchen item from TV infomercials? When decluttering, Lifehacker has a great tip using the box method. “Use the box method to weed out the kitchen tools you never use, reevaluate whether you really need more than the essential kitchen items in your kitchen, get rid of the bulk spices that have already expired, reboot a junk food-filled pantry, and use up food in your freezer at least twice a year.”

Another thing that makes a kitchen look disorganized are the mismatched food storage containers. To maximize the amount of space you have in your cupboards, use matching containers with colours that complement your kitchen.

If you’re planning to organize your kitchen, here are some must-haves to have a clean and clutter-free kitchen!

1. Have sticky or spillable food items? Put them in a lazy susan!

Buy a Lazy Susan here.

2. Stop your onions from sprouting and store them inside a jute bag.

Buy a Jute Bag here.

3. Use a recipe holder to keep your cookbooks from getting wet or splashed with oil.

Buy a Recipe Holder here.

4. Use bread baskets to store kitchen items or produce that doesn't need to be refrigerated.

Buy a Bread Basket here.

5 MUST HAVE KITCHEN ESSENTIALS FROM DAVIS AND WADDELL

"Like any good workspace, your kitchen needs good tools."

Davis and Waddell have been serving up the latest and greatest in kitchenware for more than 20 years.

So if you've only ever used low quality kitchen tools for your cooking needs, switching to high quality ones will be a night and day difference.

Here are our top 5 must have high quality kitchen essentials from Davis and Waddell:

DAVIS + WADDELL MULTI BLADE SPIRAL SLICER

This multi-blade spiral slicer is perfect for three things: spaghetti cuts, curly cuts and ribbon cuts.
Fine blade for spaghetti cuts - perfect for vegetable spaghetti
Chipping blade for curly cuts - perfect for curly vegetables
Straight blade for ribbon cuts - perfect for salads

Buy it here: https://www.purplespoilz.com.au/brands/davis-waddell/new-multi-blade-spiral-slicer-vegetable-spaghetti-cutter-chipper-davis-waddell.html

DAVIS + WADDELL ACACIA PREP BOARD + KNIFE SHARPENER

This stylish Davis and Waddell acacia chopping board features a built-in ceramic knife sharpener. Its cutting edge design allows for quick and easy sharpening prior to slicing and dicing. It is suitable for all knives except serrated and ceramic blades.

Buy it here: https://www.purplespoilz.com.au/brands/davis-waddell/new-davis-waddell-acacia-prep-board-knife-sharpener-food-chop-chopping.html

NAPOLI BY DAVIS AND WADDELL PASTA MACHINE

The pasta machine rolls out the dough to an even thickness through tensioned stainless steel rollers at varying pressure depending on the level setting. After the desired thickness is achieved the pasta is then rolled through the cutter blades to cut the pasta to the required style.
The Napoli pasta machine comes with pasta dough making instructions to ensure fantastic homemade pasta every time.

Buy it here: https://www.purplespoilz.com.au/brands/davis-waddell/napoli-davis-waddell-pasta-machine-maker-noodles-spaghetti-fettuccini.html

DAVIS AND WADDELL 4 PIECE STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE SET

This set includes 3 saucepans (16cm, 18cm + 20cm) plus a universal steamer. It's suitable for gas, halogen, induction, radiant and solid hotplate cooktops. It stays cool as it has easy grip silicone handles. It is also break resistant and has tempered glass lids with steam vent.

Buy it here: https://www.purplespoilz.com.au/brands/davis-waddell/davis-and-waddell-4-piece-COOKWARE-set-stainless-steel-ss-saucepan-steamer-lids.html

DAVIS & WADDELL NAPOLI 2 IN 1 ELECTRIC MEAT MINCER & VEGETABLE SLICER

Flavour and cook sausages at home just the way you like them with the help of the 2-in-1 Davis & Waddell Electric Meat Mincer & Vegetable Slicer. Grind your meat to your desired coarseness using the right mincing plate, combine it with your favourite herbs and spices, then stuff your casings with your mixture with the kibbe and sausage attachment. Make things better by pairing your cooked sausages with a salad of cucumbers and carrots sliced and grated easily using this versatile kitchen tool from Davis & Waddell.

Buy it here: https://www.purplespoilz.com.au/brands/davis-waddell/davis-waddell-napoli-2-in-1-electric-meat-mincer-vegetable-slicer.html

Coffee Descaling

An espresso machine in your home can give you years of enjoyment. Regular maintenance of your machine is vital. Why spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on an espresso machine and not invest a little money and time to keep it in perfect condition?

Descaling the machine, Why?  

This scale reduces the efficiency of the machine by blocking the pipes, tubes and filters. It is important to recognise that coffee machine cleaners will not remove hard water scale. The solution is to descale (or de-calcify) your machine regularly. Descaling your espresso machine will remove hard water scale from both the coffee brewing unit and milk frothing system keeping it working properly. The level of hard water scale in your machine depends on the hardness of the water you use and frequency you use your machine. As a rule of thumb do it every 4 to 6 months.

Use Cafetto® Restore Espresso Machine Descaler or Descaling Tablets specially designed to safely remove hard water scale without corrosion of the machine. Follow the machine and product instructions for use. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF DESCALING

In many areas of Australia, water quality is a significant problem affecting the efficient operation of an espresso machine. Given that water constitutes 98% of an espresso it is not surprising the water quality issue, therefore, is an issue that must be addressed.

Water quality relates to these factors:
1. Particulate matter like sediment
2. Chemicals such as chlorine
3. Naturally occurring elements

All these factors may vary throughout the year, season to season, and as authorities source water from different areas, making it essential to provide treatment to address each factor. Let’s look at each factor, the problem and the treatment.

Particulate Matter like Sediment 

These are very small particles suspended in the water, often giving water a cloudy appearance. Without treatment these particles block the very fine jets and shower screen holes, affecting machine performance and altering the coffee taste.
A filter of 5 micron or less on the water line to the machine will remove the particulate matter, however the filter must be changed regularly.

Chemicals such as Chlorine 

Chemicals in water can naturally occur or may be treatment chemicals, like chlorine. They affect the taste, appearance and odour of water and this will be transferred to the coffee. Filtration treatment can be highly effective in safely removing these chemicals provided the filter is the correct type and is regularly replaced.

Naturally Occurring Elements that cause Hard Water Scale 

Many areas of Australia have high levels of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in the water which becomes a scale “crust” on surfaces when water is heated. As calcium and magnesium carbonate are soluble and do not affect the colour or appearance of water, they cannot be removed by filtration.
Scale occurs on the boiler, the heating element, and the pipe and jet network in an espresso machine, and affects machine performance eventually machine failure if not treated.

Descaling or Decalcification 

Once scale has formed in the boiler and pipe network it can only be removed by the use of special acidic descaling chemicals. Espresso machine cleaners are alkaline they will have no impact on scale removal.

There are a variety of descalers available in the market place. Many of these products are dangerous to use and can be very corrosive to some metals. Many domestic coffee machines use aluminium thermo blocks which are very susceptible to corrosive acids. Cafetto descalers have been thoroughly researched and tested to provide excellent scale removal while being safe to use without corrosion.

Methods of Scale Control 

Water softening and reverse osmosis water treatment are two other methods of controlling scale.

Water softeners replace the calcium and magnesium carbonate with sodium carbonate which does not form a scale crust at boiling point. To remain effective, water softeners must be regenerated with salt regularly. It is the sodium chloride (common salt) that exchanges the sodium ions for the problem calcium and magnesium ions.

Reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment is a filtration technique that removes practically all particulate, chemicals and water scale elements from the water, making it almost pure water. Four problems exist for using this technique to solve the water hardness problem.
   1. The equipment is expensive to install.
   2. It is very wasteful using large amounts of water in the process of delivering the RO water.
   3. Many coffee experts believe it imparts a ‘flat’ taste to espresso. Ideally, some level of water hardness is desirable for taste.
   4. RO water has been found to be corrosive to equipment. The pure water has a tendency to take up elements and this causes corrosion of metals.

In summary, water is a vital ingredient for good coffee.
   1. Always use an activated carbon water filter of 5 micron or less to remove particulate and chemicals from the water.
   2. Don’t be fooled into thinking either a normal water filter or espresso machine cleaner will prevent or remove hard water scale – they won’t! Select a special water filter with built in scale inhibitor chemicals or install a water softener (as well as the activated carbon water filter) and keep the equipment maintained. The use of water hardness test kits will keep you alert to when the water softener needs re-generation with salt.
   3. If hard water scale has built up speak to your specialty coffee or equipment supplier about the correct descaling product and method.

Product description:  

Descaling tablets and Restore are designed to efficiently and safely descale espresso machines with water tanks and other coffee brewing equipment. The descaling process (also know as decalcifying and de-kalking) removes hard water scale from the boiler or thermo block and the group head or coffee brewer. Hard water scale is a white crust (it can be other colours, depending on the water condition) that forms when hard water is heated to near boiling point. Normal filtration does not remove the “hardness” in hard water. 

Features & Benefits:  

Quick dissolution time
Rapid descaling action
Non-corrosive formulation that is safe to espresso machine and coffee brewing equipment
Accurate dosing
Recommended for all espresso machines and coffee brewers with water tanks and pour-over brewers with rapid heat thermo-blocks.

https://www.purplespoilz.com.au/