THE GRIND

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Coffee Drop - Your Guide To The Perfect Cup

What bag sizes do we offer?

Hardhat Coffee Co. offers three bag sizes - 12oz., 2lb, & 5lb.

12oz. (3/4lb.) averages $30.67/lb.
2lb averages $26.00/lb.
5lb averages $20.80/lb.

These prices reflect a one-time purchase price, but you can save 10% with a recurring subscription.

What's the difference between single origin and blends?

Single Origin Coffee

Single origin coffee comes from a specific location, such as a single farm, region, or cooperative. It offers a unique flavor profile influenced by the area's soil, climate, and processing methods. If you're looking to explore distinct and nuanced tastes, single-origin coffee is a great choice.

Blends

Blends combine beans from multiple regions or farms to create a consistent and balanced flavor profile. Blends are designed to highlight complementary characteristics of different beans, making them versatile and often more forgiving for various brewing methods.

Key Differences

Flavor Profile: Single origin highlights the unique qualities of one region, while blends aim for a harmonious combination of flavors.
Consistency: Blends are crafted for consistency; single origin may vary seasonally based on harvest conditions.
Purpose: Single origins are ideal for coffee enthusiasts seeking distinct experiences, while blends are great for everyday drinking or when consistency is key.

Whether you prefer the adventure of single origin or the dependability of a blend, it ultimately comes down to personal taste.

Is organic Fair Trade, is Fair Trade organic - what's the difference?

Organic and Fair Trade are not the same, but they can overlap. Here’s how they differ and what each label signifies:

Organic Certification:

Focuses on farming practices that avoid synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Organic certification ensures that the product is grown and processed in an environmentally sustainable way, prioritizing soil health and biodiversity.

Fair Trade Certification:

Focuses on social, economic, and environmental sustainability in trade.
Fair Trade ensures that farmers and workers are paid fair wages, work in safe conditions, and have access to better trade terms, empowering communities.
It also includes environmental criteria, but it doesn’t automatically mean the product is organic.

Overlap:

Some products are both Fair Trade and organic, meaning they meet the rigorous standards of both certifications. For instance, a coffee labeled "Fair Trade Organic" is grown sustainably and traded ethically.

Key Takeaway:

Organic ensures sustainable farming.
Fair Trade ensures ethical treatment of people and fair wages.
A product can be one, the other, or both—look for both labels if you want to support ethical and eco-friendly practices!

How does farm elevation affect coffee flavors?

Low Grown (LGC) (0–2,500ft/0–760m): Mild acidity, earthy/nutty, heavier body
High Grown (HGC) (2,500–4,500ft/760–1,370m): Balanced acidity, fruity/chocolatey, medium body
Strictly High Grown (SHG) (4,500–5,500ft/1,370–1,680m): Bright acidity, fruity/floral/citrusy, clean cup
Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) (+5,500ft/+1,680m): Pronounced acidity, complex/berry notes, tea-like

How does soil type affect coffee flavors, and where are these soil types found?

Volcanic Soil: Rich in minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. High drainage. Common in regions with volcanoes. Bright acidity, rich complexity, and a smooth body. Often associated with fruity, floral, or spicy notes. Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica), Ethiopia (Yirgacheffe), Indonesia (Java)
Loamy Soil: A mix of sand, silt, and clay. Well-draining and nutrient-rich. Balanced flavor with medium acidity and body. Tends to highlight nutty, chocolate, or caramel notes. Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Hawaii
Sandy Soil: Drains quickly and warms up faster, but may require additional nutrients. Clean, light, and crisp flavors with bright acidity. Can highlight citrus and floral notes. Brazil, Yemen, parts of East Africa
Clay Soil: High water retention but can lead to poor drainage if not managed well. Dense, bold, and earthy flavors. Lower acidity and more body. Indonesia (Sumatra), India (Western Ghats)
Silt Soil: Fine-textured and retains moisture well, often rich in organic matter. Smooth, mellow profiles with subtle sweetness and medium acidity. Colombia (lower altitude regions), Vietnam
Red Soil: High iron and aluminum content. Found in tropical regions. Bright and vibrant acidity, with a tangy, fruity character. Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia (Sidamo)
Alluvial Soil: Found in river valleys. Rich in organic matter and well-drained. Soft, rounded flavors with gentle acidity and sweetness. Brazil (lower-altitude farms), India (Karnataka)
Forest Soil: Found in shaded, high-altitude areas, often enriched by decaying organic material. Complex, layered profiles with earthy, herbal, and fruity notes. Ethiopia (forest-grown coffee), Panama (Boquete), Mexico (Chiapas)

What is the difference between light, medium, dark, and espresso roasts?

Light Roast:

Light brown, no visible oils
Bright, fruity, floral, with pronounced origin flavors
High acidity
Light body
Slightly higher caffeine content
Ideal brewing methods: pour-over, drip coffee, cold brew

Medium Roast:

Medium brown, slight oils
Balanced flavors with hints of sweetness, chocolate, and mild acidity
Medium acidity
Medium body
Moderate caffeine content
Ideal brewing methods: drip coffee, French press, Aeropress

Dark Roast:

Dark brown to almost black, oily
Rich, bold, smoky, bittersweet, with reduced origin flavors
Low acidity
Full body
Slightly lower caffeine content
Ideal brewing methods: espresso, French press, Moka pot, drip coffee

Espresso Roast:

Very dark, shiny, oily
Intense, concentrated, smoky, often slightly bitter
Very low acidity
Very full body
Slightly lower caffeine content
Ideal brewing methods: espresso machines, stovetop espresso, cappuccino, latte

What are the ideal brewing methods for coarse, medium, and fine ground coffee?

The grind size of coffee plays a crucial role in determining the best brewing method. Here's a breakdown:

Coarse Grind

French Press: The larger grind prevents sediment from passing through the metal filter. Brew for 4-5 minutes for optimal flavor.
Cold Brew: A slow steeping process (12-24 hours) extracts smooth and mild flavors.

Medium Grind

Drip Coffee Makers: Most home coffee machines are calibrated for medium grinds. Brew time typically ranges from 5-8 minutes.
Pour Over (e.g., Chemex): Allows even extraction as water flows through the grounds at a moderate pace.
AeroPress (with a longer brew time): Achieves a balanced and nuanced cup.

Fine Grind

Espresso Machines: High-pressure extraction requires a fine grind for rich crema and concentrated flavor.
Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso): Produces a bold, espresso-like brew with a fine grind.
AeroPress (with shorter brew time): Delivers a robust cup when brewed for 1-2 minutes.

Pro Tip

The water temperature, brew time, and grind consistency also impact flavor. Use freshly ground coffee for the best results, as grinding releases aromatic oils that dissipate quickly.

What is the ideal ratio of coffee to water for a light, regular, and strong cup of coffee?

The ideal coffee-to-water ratio varies depending on how strong you like your coffee. Here's a quick guide:

Light Coffee: Use a ratio of 1:18 (1 gram of coffee for every 18 grams of water)

For an 8-ounce cup use about 2 tablespoons
12oz. bag yield: ~26 cups
2lb. bag yield: ~69 cups
5lb. bag yield: ~174 cups

Regular Coffee: Use a ratio of 1:16 (1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water)

For an 8-ounce cup use about 2.5 tablespoons
12oz. bag yield: ~23 cups
2lb. bag yield: ~60 cups
5lb. bag yield: ~151 cups

Strong Coffee: Use a ratio of 1:14 (1 gram of coffee for every 14 grams of water)

For an 8-ounce cup use about 3 tablespoons
12oz. bag yield: ~20 cups
2lb. bag yield: ~53 cups
5lb. bag yield: ~133 cups

These ratios are guidelines; you can adjust them based on personal preference, coffee grind size, and brewing method.

For accuracy, use a kitchen scale to measure both coffee and water by weight.

For speed, use volume method to measure both coffee and water by tablespoons and ounces.

What does a cup of Hardhat Coffee Co. coffee cost compared to the likes of Starbucks?

Well, that depends on a couple of factors but we will stick strictly to the end result - an 8oz. ("short" at Starbucks) cup of brewed coffee.

On average, you can anticipate spending about $2.45 for a cup of brewed coffee at Starbucks. While Starbucks had a hand in creating "coffee culture" through "specialty" coffees and brewing processes, it is debatable that they offer specialty-grade coffee - for the sake of the argument let's assume they do.

Hardhat Coffee Co. only sells specialty-grade coffee - to get an understanding of what that means, please read our first blog post. Assuming you are brewing a "regular" cup of coffee, a 12oz. bag of coffee will yield about (23) 8oz. cups of brewed coffee. If you are enjoying one of our Fairtrade® Certified, sustainably-grown single-origin coffees you bought that bag for $24. Meaning, you are enjoying the best, smoothest coffee available for $1.04 per cup which is far less than that "burnt coffee taste" you can get at one of 15,270 locations across the US.

What's the simple math here? A 12oz. bag of specialty-grade Fairtrade® Certified sustainably-grown single-origin coffee from Hardhat Coffee Co. will get you about 13 additional cups of coffee than you'd get at Starbucks for about the same price.

Enjoy!