Rockridge Market Hall

Tips for Brewing Coffee

Storage

The best “canister” for coffee is the whole bean. Within hours of roasting flavor oils will come to the surface of the coffee bean giving it the appearance of being wet. These oils create a vapor barrier around the bean which if stored in an airtight, light-tight container in the freezer will hold the flavor of the bean for up to 2 months.

Kept in an airtight, light-tight container away from heat, ground coffee will stay fresh for up to 7 days. Each day, there will be a slight diminishment in flavor value.

Brew Method

Those methods of brewing coffee that interfere the least in the direct infusion between coffee and water generally produce the most flavorful result. That said, French Press or “plunge pot” coffee is the method we prefer at Peaberry’s for its rich, full flavor.

The worst method is a Percolator – this old style brew system was quite popular in the 1950’s and became a comfort element for most families both visually and aromatically. This method, unfortunately, is based upon the principle of boiling the coffee for a period of time which actually breaks down the chemistry of the coffee and makes it more acidic and hard on the gastrointestinal system.

Suggested Temperature

Cold water brought to 190 degrees or to a boil, then allowed to sit 1 minute before infusing the coffee for 3 minutes.

Measurements

Use 2 tablespoons per 8 ounce cup of coffee.

Tips for Brewing Tea

Teapot

Choose a ceramic teapot or a covered cup with a 4 to 12-ounce capacity and preheat with hot water. A teapot with built-in strainer will prevent leaves from entering spout.

Leaves

Brew teas loose, not in a tea ball or infuser, to allow flavor to develop fully. Different teas have widely varying weights. With lighter teas, be sure to add enough leaf. Use about four grams of tea per eight ounces of water -- up to twice that amount for Oolongs and Pu-erhs.

Water

Start with good-tasting cold water. Try different spring waters. Do not use boiling water when brewing white or green tea as this will cook the leaves and destroy their flavor.

Suggested Temperatures

Taste

Until familiar with a particular tea, steep for a minute or two, then try a sip. Pay attention to taste rather than color. When the tea tastes right to you, serve or pour off all the liquid to avoid oversteeping. Most of these teas are meant to be infused several times. Simply add additional water as needed. Increase steeping time with subsequent infusions.

Experiment

Feel free to experiment with water temperature, brewing time, and
proportion of tea to water. Let your palate be the guide.

Enjoy

Notice the beautiful colors and shapes of the leaves as they steep;
appearance is very much a part of the experience. But most important, enjoy the tea!

The Best Way to Store Tea

All tea has a shelf life. Proper storage is necessary to prolong freshness. Store tea
in opaque containers to avoid contact with light. Use a container with a tightsealing
lid to guard against moisture and to prevent tea from drying out. Keep in
a cool place. Refrigeration is advised for long-term storage of green teas.