Home Coffee Making Workshop

Dates: 

February 20th, 4:00-5:30pm & 6:00-7:30pm

Duration: 1.5 hours

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Perfectly Paired with the Home Brewed Toolkit 

Lesson 1: Introduction to Coffee 

Objective: Provide a basic understanding of coffee origins, roasting, and flavor profiles.

• Discussion:
• Coffee origins (Arabica vs. Robusta)
• The journey from farm to cup (planting, harvesting, processing, roasting)
• How roast levels affect flavour and why so many roasters opt to roast light (light, medium, dark)
• Activity:
• Smell different coffee beans (light, medium, dark roasts) and discuss aroma differences.
• Open Q&A session on coffee types and participants' preferences.

Lesson 2: Coffee Beans and Grinding 

Objective: Understand the importance of grind size and its impact on flavour.

• Discussion:
• How grind size affects brew time and flavour (fine, medium, coarse).
• Why fresh grinding is important for flavour.
• Activity:
• Demonstration of grinding beans for different brewing methods (fine for espresso, coarse for French Press, medium for drip/pour-over).
• Participants practice grinding beans with guidance.

Lesson 3: Brewing Methods Overview 

Objective: Explore different brewing methods and how they affect the coffee’s taste.

• Discussion:
• Overview of popular brewing methods: French Press, Pour-over, Aeropress, Cupping.
• The importance of water temperature and brew time.
• Activity:
• Quick demonstration of each brewing method with key tips on technique (ratio, timing, water temperature).
• Participants choose a method they’d like to try later in the course.

Lesson 4: Hands-On Brewing 

Objective: Allow participants to brew their own coffee and compare results.

• Activity:
• Participants will each brew coffee using the method of their choice, with guided assistance.
• Focus on correct coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, and brewing time.
• Taste the brewed coffee and compare with other participants' methods.
• Option to try a second method if time allows.

Lesson 5: Coffee Tasting and Discussion

Objective: Develop tasting skills and understand the flavor profiles of different coffees.

• Activity:
• Coffee tasting: Each participant tastes coffees brewed with different methods.
• Discussion on flavour profiles, body, acidity, and aftertaste.
• Introduction to coffee cupping basics (sipping, slurping, assessing aroma, body, acidity, sweetness, bitterness).
• Participants make tasting notes and share their thoughts.

Conclusion and Q&A 

Objective: Recap key takeaways and answer any remaining questions.

• Recap of major points:
• The importance of fresh beans, grind size, and brewing technique.
• How to continue experimenting at home.
• Q&A session
• Open forum for participants to ask questions and get recommendations for further resources or equipment.

Follow-Up Resources:

• Recommended reading or videos on coffee making.
• Suggested equipment for home use based on the methods taught.
• Coffee subscription recommendations for trying new beans.

Perfectly Paired with the Home Brewed Toolkit