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7.1.6 Keeping coffee hot
Coffee should not be kept hot on the hotplate of coffee machines or on a warmer. The reason: the
heat will cause the coffee to re-draw. This means that water will evaporate, resulting in the
evaporation of the fine coffee aroma. Coffee will not only lose its flavour; it will also taste bitter very
quickly.
7.1.7 Where can I get the freshest coffee?
Coffee bought at the small roasteries found in almost any larger town is freshest. These roasteries
generally sell high-quality beans which are roasted gently for a long time.
7.1.8 What is the difference between coffee and espresso?
Espresso and coffee are made from the same bean but the roasting times are different. Espresso is
roasted for longer than coffee. The result: espresso is tastier and has a stronger coffee flavour with a
lower acid content. Classic espresso generally comprises a mixture of Arabica and Robusta beans.
However, what distinguishes espresso and coffee most is the way they are made. Espresso is not
made in filter paper; it is made in a metal sieve. Within 10 to 12 seconds for automatic coffee
machines and within 25 to 35 seconds for espresso machines used on a cooker hotplate, water
heated up to 95°C is forced through this sieve. This means that the espresso powder only makes brief
contact with the hot water. All of the flavouring but only a little caffeine and few bitter substances
are dissolved in the powder. This is why an espresso, which is considered to be a black, particularly
strong beverage, only has half as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
Training manual Section 7 – Page 9
Coffee machines