We went along to the Legit Home-Brew Coffee Masterclass, part of the Liberties Festival, and discovered it’s actually not that difficult to master the art of manual brewing. Here are 7 things we took away:
Get yourself a grinder
In no time you’ll become the self-respecting coffee lover you’ve always wanted to be – grinding your own coffee beans every morning. Just keep in mind fresh grounds instantly begin to lose their aroma, up to 60% after only fifteen minutes. So grind wisely.
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Fridge or freezer or neither
Moisture is a big no-no for grounds and beans therefore the conditions in your fridge or freezer are unsuitable. When moisture is absorbed in that environment the original flavours begin to spoil from the odours of other foods. Commiserations to the coffee sat next to the frozen lasagna you’ll remember to defrost one of these days.
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Coffee can get mouldy
Take your instant coffees and café chains who require vast amounts of coffee to be produced – they generally go for the cheaper, quicker option, which often results in low-quality processing. If the beans aren’t washed and dried properly a fungi called mycotoxin may grow. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland have regulations to ensure imports have safe mycotoxin levels, which will never be high enough to cause any health damage. Still though. Remember, the better the beans the better the coffee.
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Coffee is good for you
Studies have found that the health benefits of coffee greatly outweigh the negative effects. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules known to have many health benefits, like decreasing risk of cancer and increasing athletic performance.
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Coffee knowledge is power
If you don’t know your cappuccinos from your double macchiatos these days go directly to jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect €200.
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Legit Coffee Co. are legends
High fives to these guys and their commitment to quality. Their coffee is phenomenal and the food is delicious. It’s the perfect spot to take refuge from the rumble – definitely worth a visit.
Please note that head barista Marcin Kotwicki is a complete coffee sensei (he just won the Irish AeroPress Championships 2018) whose wealth of knowledge couldn’t possibly be presented in a punchy post like this. Drop in and say hello, he’s great.
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Gooseneck kettles are cool
The shape of the spout, the control of the flow, the precision of the pour… it’s all very sexy really.
Legit Coffee Co., 1 Meat Mart Meath Street, The Liberties, Dublin 8
Mon – Fri 8.00AM – 4PM Sat 9.30AM – 4PM
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