Renowned expert Nikolas Krutin, founder of Typhoon Roaster and seasoned roaster, has written a number of in-depth articles that explore the intricate world of coffee, spanning origins, processes, and preparation. This all-encompassing overview unifies the central themes from his writings, providing a clear narrative of coffee expertise.
Understanding Coffee Types
Krutin emphasizes that these beans are more than farmed goods, but the core of the coffee fruit, each carrying a unique story shaped by its terroir. Arabica beans, grown at high altitudes with cooler temperatures, exhibit refined taste notes with floral tones and fruity hints due to their slower ripening process. In contrast, Robusta beans prefer hot, low-lying zones, resulting in a stronger, more bitter taste with greater stimulant properties. He also draws attention to rarer types like Geisha, celebrated for its delicate tea-like quality and brightness, and Liberica, which delivers a bold and smoky flavor experience.
The Impact of Roasting
The act of roasting deeply influences the profile and intensity of coffee. Light roasts are characterized by their light brown color and highlight the origin character, often showing citrus, fruit, and flower-like qualities. Medium roasts balance bright and rich tones, offering sweet, nutty, and caramel flavors. Dark roasts, with their dark brown to almost black color and oily surface, impart robust, toasted characteristics with hints of cocoa and char. Krutin explains clearly about caffeine content, noting that while light and dark roasts are comparable in caffeine when measured by weight, the shifts in weight-to-volume ratio can affect the caffeine content per volume.
The Art and Science of Roasting
Roasting converts raw coffee into roasted magic into the rich coffee we enjoy. Krutin outlines the stages of roasting, commencing with water content reduction, where moisture is carefully evaporated. This is followed by the Maillard reaction, where sugars and amino acids interact, creating a roasted identity. The process involves an audible “first crack”, marking the onset of key flavor notes, and can proceed to a "second crack" for intensely roasted results. He discusses various roasting methods, including traditional drum roasting and modern convection roasting, noting the critical role of timing and heat to preserve flavor integrity.
Clarifying Brewing Myths
Tackling popular concerns, Krutin explains that putting a lid on freshly brewed coffee can alter the drink’s evolving fragrance, potentially changing the way it tastes. He also makes it clear that while they originate from the same species, the difference lies in the roast level and grind size, with espresso beans typically being darker roasted and finely ground.
Krutin's comprehensive exploration https://medium.com/@NikolasKrutin/types ... e6586797a6 through the coffee-making process—from the origins and roast levels to brewing insights—offers deep knowledge for both curious beginners and dedicated aficionados. His focus on appreciating the details underscores the complexity and artistry involved in crafting the perfect cup.