If you are embarking on a roasting journey or searching for insight to craft your perfect blend, ask our Master Roaster.

What's the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee?

They are different species of plant, Arabica , the generally better tasting of the two, grows at altitude, while Robusta will grow just about anywhere in the tropics. Most Robusta production goes into instant coffee and cheap blends. Although Arabica is usually considered to be superior, there is plenty of bad Arabica around, and it is possible to find good Robustas.

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What is the main flavour difference between lightly roasted coffee and dark roasted coffee?

Generally speaking, as you roast and the coffee gets darker, the flavour elements are cooked out and broken down until you're left with charcoal. A raw green bean is highly acidic and as it cooks it will lose some acidity and develop sweetness, as it cooks further the sugars caramelise and that sweetness turns into bitterness. So basically, lighter is more acid, darker is more bitter.

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Why do my coffee beans get all oily? and how does that affect the taste?

As coffee roasts and gets darker it starts to break down structurally, this means volatile oils contained in the beans are released. As the coffee ages, these oils make their way to the surface where they gradually oxidise and start to go stale.

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Question: Hey Ewan, I was talking to Dominic today and he mentioned you are into good drip/pour over coffee. I've been trying to locate decent fabric filters and filter holder here in NZ. Is there anywhere here or o'seas to by them from? Thanks Email Address: peteressenberger@hotmail.com

I don't know about fabric, but if you want to use paper, you can get good plastic single cup filter cones from Japanese shops around Auckland. There's Japan mart on Anzac Ave. or one up next to Silver Bell on Dominion Rd. They're not pretty, but they make good coffee. You can get the papers from the supermarket.

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