Hario's stainless steel water kettle, the V60 Buono, has been spotted popping up in coffee houses and the kitchens of baristas for some time now. A detailed search on the web will reveal, for the moment at least, that the Buono seems to be widely accepted as the most useful pouring kettle available. What makes this kettle so popular amongst pour-over enthusiasts? Several reasons stand out.
First, the thin pouring spout enables greater pouring precision as well as a slower, more consistent and controlled rate of pour, both of which are very helpful in achieving a precise, prolonged extraction.
Second, the stainless steel construction and large 1 liter capacity contribute toward keeping up the brew temperature for the duration of the entire brew cycle.
Third, the ergonomics involved in the design of the kettle help to make using it much easier. This may not seem like much, but if you're brewing large batches of coffee and pouring for three or more minutes per batch, doing several batches of coffee will quickly become a chore if your kettle doesn't cooperate with you.
Combine all of these facets with the fact that the Buono is manufactured by Hario, a very popular name in the coffee-brewing community, and the kettle's popularity is easily understood. For best results, combine the Buono with a
V60 Dripper or
Chemex to get a truly exceptional cup of coffee.
Barista Bash
...although somehow I came home with my espresso blend and Mocha Java blend
Yeah I wish we had more time to pull more shotties. We will have to plan for this the next time around. We had Chris D prepping on the machine at the start and a 10 minute espresso pull frenzy before competitors wanted to start practicing for latte art. Next time....we will pull more shots. Meanwhile, bring some smoke blend over to me on wed or fri morning...please?
It was just very hard to try and pull shots on the single group when "LAMAR" The Linea Paddle Machine was in our sights the whole time.....PREINFUSION...how I love thee...significant changes in the taste of everything we pulled on the single group and the paddle.
Barista bash
Not really. Although that was not my intent in participating. I was asked if I had interest in bringing some beans and of course I did. I didn't want to push my business on anyone, rather just to have more things to sample and play with on the various brewers...although somehow I came home with my espresso blend and Mocha Java blend. I intended to leave it for use.
I was approached by the coffee buyer at WF's asking if I had interest in selling to them...we talked for a while and I explained to her my feelings on that issue and about the short paragraph I posted on this forum about local roasters pulling out of such establishments. She continued with some persistance and I did tell her I would like to talk further; she said to stop by and see her any time!
Beyond that, I have a couple of new friends on Facebook and on the Barista Exchange. I certainly want to THANK EVERYONE who tossed around my bags of beans, for talking about them and about me, and for serving them up...I did get very possitive feedback from many while there.
lachris
Coffee@SmelltheSmoke.net
lachris... any Barista Bash business?
have you had anyone who heard about you through the Barista Bash buy any of your beans? Hope it brought you some business!
I'm drinking some PT's
I'm drinking some PT's Ethiopia Sidama Ardi, brewed with a V60. I was surprised because I felt like I botched the brew, but this cup is still amazing. The bag says that (among other things) I will taste a "brisk citrus acidity" and I definitely get lots of citrus. It is a sweet citrus though with only a mild tartness. Overall, it's a very pleasant cup.
My own stuff (LaGrange Coffee Roasters)
DP Ethiopian Sidamo Haile Selassie - dried, tart strawberrys and graham crackers, hints of other tart berry accents...Nice!
Well, I do have to drink my own stuff from time to time. :)
lachris
Coffee@SmelltheSmoke.net
Intelligentsia
Today...a nicely pressed cup of Intelligentsia Los Inmortales, El Salvador: Finca Matalapa, Guayabo... don't know how to pronounce it, but do know that the sweet fruit notes slapped my tongue up one side and down the other and ended almost as quickly as they began. Just for fun, I stole some of Peter's dried cranberries (of which I shall immediately confess of once he gets to the office - I'll offer him a cookie or something) and the pairing was pretty amazing. The Guayabo seemed to soften the direct tartness of the cranberries and intensify the already fruity flavor.
Today - a nice SHB Guatemalan
Today - a nice SHB Guatemalan Antigua - mild, bright, hints of smokiness. Some light spice notes come through as it cools. Smooth. Roasted to a City ++ or just before FC. Just a good all around morning cup. :-)
lachris
Coffee@SmelltheSmoke.net
Missed an opportunity to
Missed an opportunity to answer this yesterday (inventory day...ugh), but I wrote a post concerning today's coffee:
http://prima-coffee.com/content/tuesday-morning-cup-0