#solideducation

1. The name cappuccino comes from:

a) The drink's resemblance to the brown cowls worn by Capuchin monks b) The similarity in color to the fur of Capuchin monkeys c) The Italian puccino, meaning "light brown one" d) The size of the cup in which it's commonly served

    1. The name cappuccino comes from:

Answer:(a) The word comes from the resemblance of the drink to the clothing of the Capuchin monks.  

  2. Espresso literally means:

a) Speed it up

b) To go c) Forced out d) Black and intense

  2. Espresso literally means:

Answer:(c) In Italian, the word espresso literally means "when something is forced out."  

  3. Coffee was the first food to be:

a) Shipped from Europe to the New World b) Freeze-dried c) Used in Aztec religious ceremonies d) Roasted and ground for drinking  

  3. Coffee was the first food to be:

Answer: (b)Coffee was the first food to be freeze-dried.

    4. 40% of the world’s coffee is produced by:

a) Africa b) Columbia and Brazil c) Turkey d) Southeast Asia

    4. 40% of the world’s coffee is produced by:

Answer:(b) Columbia and Brazil.

  5. Kopi Luwak, the world’s most expensive coffee (up to $600 per pound) is:

a) Processed during a full moon b) Brewed only with solid gold pots c) Made from coffee beans eaten and then excreted by a Sumatran wild cat d) Grown at a higher altitude than any other bean  

    5. Kopi Luwak, the world’s most expensive coffee (up to $600 per pound) is:

Answer:(c) Yes, it's the beans excreted by a Sumatran wild cat!

  6. Coffee beans grow on:

a) A low, spreading vine b) A bush c) A tree d) The roots of a coffee plant  

6. Coffee beans grow on:

Answer:(b) Coffee beans grow on a bush.  

  7. Most coffees are a blend of:

a) Light and dark roasts b) Caffeine and essential oils c) Arabica and robusta beans d) African and South American beans  

7. Most coffees are a blend of:

Answer: (c) Arabica and robusta beans are the most common.

  8. An ibrik is

a) A South-American tool for grinding coffee beans b) The Turkish word for barista c) A Middle Eastern coffee house d) A long-handled copper pot for making Turkish coffee  

  8. An ibrik is

Answer:(d) This Turkish pot makes quite the cup of joe.  

  9. Arabica varieties such as Java and Mocha are named after:

a) The plantations where they're grown b) The coffee grower who developed that variety c) Their predominant flavorings  d) Their ports of origin  

  9. Arabica varieties such as Java and Mocha are named after:

Answer:(d) These beans are named after their ports of origin.

  10. Sixteenth-century Muslim rulers banned coffee because of:

a) Its stimulating effects b) The gambling that took place in coffeehouses  c) The black market that sprang up in the coffee trade  d) Sufi mystics who wanted coffee limited to spiritual ceremonies

    10. Sixteenth-century Muslim rulers banned coffee because of:

Answer:(a) It was banned for its unusual stimulating effects.

Here at SOLID Coffee, we are committed to our coffee and to you. We take pride in giving you an unparalleled coffee experience, which is why we are proud to announce that our company, SOLID Coffee Roasters as well as our roaster are a part of the Specialty Coffee Association of America and The Roaster's Guild. The SCAA consists of specialty roasting companies all over America that are dedicated to roast and uphold "quality as the principle standard for success" (roastersguild.org), and The Roasters Guild recognizes the roasters that help make this possible. The Roasters Guild provides opportunities such as competitions and activities that fosters the roaster's relationships with like-minded individuals so they may have a voice that directly affects the specialty coffee industry. It trains its members to be well versed in the "knowledge of and skills in history, fundamentals, art, and science of coffee roasting through an international community and year-round events"(roastersguild.org). This allows SOLID to be up-to-date with the coffee culture in order to give our clients a comprehensive coffee experience not just in taste but also in knowledge and experience. 

SOLID is proud to be in the company of those who share the same passion and excellence of great coffee, and we want to share everything we know and love with you! Through ordering our coffee online, being a part of our Brew Our Coffee family, or coming in for a tasting, SOLID is here for all of your coffee needs! 

Our lead roaster in action

When you taste our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee, it is like experiencing the region of Yirgacheffe itself. This light roast coffee is derived from the 1,700-2,200 high forests of Yirgacheffe and is cool, breezy and fragrant—much like the coffee itself. Coffee has a deep domestic significance in this region, as the origin of the Arabica coffee plant was discovered here. Legend has it that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia in the 9th century by a goat-herder named Kaldi. It was Kaldi’s goats that came across and ate the cherries from the coffee tree, which led to a spike in energy level. Kaldi then tried some of these beans to experience the same effect himself and took it to his monastery. There, he roasted and brewed the coffee to share with the monks, which helped their late night vigil prayers. Today, coffee is still an integral part of the culture in Ethiopia as its population of 85 million heavily relies on this highly valued exportation.

To most, coffee is a part of a daily ritual. Many can relate to waking up and groggily stumbling into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee reawakening the senses. In Yirgacheffe, coffee roasting and brewing is a ritual that doesn’t just provide a stimulant, but a cultural experience. There, the coffee making process entails a traditional coffee ceremony, which includes the burning of incense to ward off spirits, as a mortar and pestle are used to ground the coffee beans. After, the beans are roasted over a charcoal brazier in a pan. The coffee is then served in a narrow-spouted coffee pot along with sweetened popcorn or bread.

SOLIDCoffee shares a similar careful process in the roasting of our Yirgacheffe blend. Through the delicate coffee bean handling of our Master Roaster, the forests of Yirgacheffe can be tasted in our coffee through the charming notes of citrus, floral, and earthy tones mixed with hints of spice. Experience the vitality of Yirgacheffe in SOLIDCoffee’s heavy body, fine acidity, and delicate quality blend of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee!

Coffee. It used to be a convenient dose of caffeine for the masses who didn't put much thought into the industry or what they were drinking. Coffee pod names like Keurig, Nespresso, and Tassimo come to mind when we think about these convenience junkies who just wanted to get through their day. Fast forward to now: an age where specialty coffee has come back swinging, advocating that quality should not be compromised for convenience. With many high-end coffee shops on the rise, it's no longer a "what kind of coffee do you drink?" question, but rather, a "how do you brew your coffee?" conversation that seems to be rising.

As specialty coffee increases in popularity, various types of home brewing process seem to be popping up in households. Many people-- not just coffee snobs, are beginning to see the benefit of enjoying a great cup of coffee to start their day. Here at SOLID Coffee Roasters, we not only roast and provide specialty coffee to others ( with scores above 89 to boast ), but we take pride in the brewing process as well. Here are some devices that were tested in home kitchens that you may have heard of: 

Hario v60 size 2 dripper 

This is the process we at SOLID use to pour ourselves our cuppa every morning and also serve at events. This process pours a uniform brew into a single cup, which balances sweetness and acidity. 

The con with this method is the breakable ceramic make up of it, and the large hole in the middle, which can easily let water pass. To successfully make a great cup with this process requires the right type of grind and pouring technique to achieve best results.  Best used for East African coffees.

Bee House ceramic dripper 

The Bee house has 2 Drain holes, which provides easier water control than a Hario V60 and brews into a single cup. 

The cons include the size, which is smaller than a V60, therefore only brewing 1 cup at a time, and it also requires specific filters. 

Chemex- Eight Cup Maker

The beautiful hourglass design of the Chemex uses a bond filter heavier than most, which filters out oils and sediment to make a smooth, bitter free coffee. It can also produce 8 cups at a time for more coffee enjoyment. 

Cons include the Chemex Brand filter that is needed to use it and  a specific long handled brush to clean up properly. In addition, the Chemex often does not produce the complexities in the coffee found in the other brewing devices. 

Bodum Chambord (French press)

This brewing method requires no pouring skills and allows full control of steeping time. It can brew 8 cups at a time with no filters, producing a rich cup of coffee.

Since the filtration system isn't as keen as other methods, ground and coffee sludge can seep into cup. Also, messy clean up is often a source of complaint with this method.

Aeropress

The Aeropress is small and portable with easy clean up. Mostly used in camping situations where convenience is key, and can produce coffee and espresso. Cup profile is balanced and pleasant.

The cons include that it makes a small cup of coffee and requires specific filters. 

Siphon

This brewing process is a great conversation process, which requires no pouring skills. There is better control of steeping time and water temperature, producing an ideal cup with no sludge or ground seepage of a French Press

The storage of this piece can be a setback, as well as the clean up. There is also a certain level of skill that must be practiced to create an ideal cup, and there is also a small butange burner that needs to be purchased.