Coffee Appreciation Demo with Q Grader Coffee Expert, Mr. Eric Lim
Admittedly, I’m a late bloomer coffee lover. Pun intended. I learned from a recent coffee appreciation demo that “bloom” is what happens when hot water hits the grind, the bubbling and expanding then begins. This essentially jump starts the brewing process. Coffee bloom releases trapped Carbon Dioxide (CO2) within fresh coffee grounds that was produced during the roasting process. That was one interesting trivia for me since I’ve never really given it a thought in my still very young coffee-drinking years. As for my being a late bloomer coffee lover, it wasn’t until our Vietnam-Cambodia trip in 2012 that I truly appreciated coffee. While it might have been Ca Phe Sua Nong (Vietnamese dark roast coffee with condensed milk) that lured me into loving coffee, I have since transitioned to black with a teaspoon of coco sugar or stevia.
Coffee Bloom
Not all coffee are the same and coffee lovers have their own respective preferences how theirs are prepared. Whether that will be Espresso Machine, Automatic Coffee Maker, Pour Over, Aeropress, French Press, Siphon, et. al. The hubby and I happen to strongly lean towards French Press as we both find that our coffee has fuller flavor when we use the French Press over the coffee maker. Apparently, there are a handful more ways in preparing coffee! Thanks to Mr. Eric Lim for the many things we learned about coffee.
Conlins Products: Bluenotes and Artisans Coffee
Coffee Expert Mr. Eric Lim is also the COO of Conlins. producer of Bluenotes and Artisans coffee. Bluenotes coffee offers 100% single-origin Arabica beans. “Each origin of coffee has something unique to offer; coffee from Sumatra gives a very different cup profile from coffee originating from Brazil or Ethiopia. The origin of your coffee is only one of the many aspects that affect the coffee’s flavor profile,” shares Mr. Lim
Coffee 101 with Mr. Eric Lim
I remember from our visit to the Coffee Farmhouse that I first learned that coffee comes a fruit. It’s actually called “coffee cherry.”
Fragrance vs. Aroma
Apparently “fragrance” is distinct from “aroma,” when it comes to coffee. Fragrance pertains to the smell when water has not touched the coffee grounds. While aroma pertains to the vapors released when hot water is poured in the ground beans. Interesting! I found myself loving coffee all the more as I listened away to Sir Eric.
Strong vs. Dark Coffee | Light vs. Weak
Apparently, when it comes to coffee, “Strong” isn’t synonymous to “Dark.” The “strength” of a coffee refers to the ratio of coffee to water and has nothing to do with its type of roast.
Dark Coffee pertains to coffee that has been roasted longer. It also does not follow that Light roast coffee is weaker in flavor.
Way before I have learned to love coffee, I’ve already loved its fragrance and aroma. Whether dry or vapor, what it does the olfactory sense is undeniably soothing. Even non-coffee drinkers will agree. 🙂
Artisans coffee is about the art and science of how coffee is crafted. This line of coffee allows the master roaster to create and meld flavors of varying origins into a very satisfying cup. While Bluenotes focuses on strictly single-origin, Artisans coffee is all about taking different coffee elements and creating a masterful coffee expereince.
Sweet Serenity Syrups
Serenity Syrups enhance the coffee experience. Sir Eric explained, “It’s to add flavors to things you don’t normally have, like an almond latte. The nice thing about Serenity is that it’s not limited to coffee. You can be as creative as you want.” One can actually experiment and make creme caramels, flavored sparkling sodas from these syrups, even use them on baked goodies.
Bluenotes
Mr. Lim said that Conlins wants customers to “experience coffee.” He shared, “We want our customers to understand what they drink, before they really appreciate it.” While they do this, but they don’t really impose. I believe that Sir Eric’s passion for coffee springs him towards educating people about coffee for people to savor and appreciate their coffee as they drink it.
Bluenotes Coffee, Artisans Coffee and Sweet Serenity are available at Alessi in Bonifacio Global City, Conlins Elements in Greenbelt 5 and The Coffee Laboratory in Ayala Center Cebu. For more information, visit www.conlinscoffee.com.
