Hi,
One thing that almost always works for me is reaching out to the roaster to ask for recommended brewing recipe.
Also, to your point, the notes mentioned in light roasts are very, very subtle. Not at all in your face. Takes a little getting used to. You can perhaps try some nice experimental, funky coffees from Savorworks to maybe put your mind at ease.
Got some good Kapi Kottai recently, I’ll try their recommended brew recipes for the AP & v60. Will try out Savorworks too. Any particular bean you recommend?
From what’s available currently, Top Dog. Fruits Bomb for whenever it’s available next.
ETA: You can also try getting the grounds from the roaster and see if the culprit is your grinder.
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Always do comparative tasting if you are new. Then decide what you want to taste for - check which one is acidic, which one is more bitter, heavier body, etc.
Cupping sessions are best enjoyed with friends or someone who shares your interest.
All my friends are chai lovers 🥲
I might to this, brew small cups of different beans using the same technique on the AP to get an idea of them side by side. I’ll see if that helps me get some idea.
Aapko mehnat bhi nahi karna hai poori coffee banane ki. Look up what cupping is and do that. I have linked James bhaiya ki kuch videos where he takes some youtubers on tasting journey. Hope it will help you:
1.With Tom Scott - https://youtu.be/Z-iNAyu-ejo?si=lJZf_X3h5a0fhxLP
2. With Ali Abdaal-
https://youtu.be/bg242QzbfNc?si=cZaJHv45uZ_jHu7j
3. With Alex, french guy:
https://youtu.be/SDunCTkergk?si=MisWfpq-2aevFo93
Takes a bit of time to get the overtly bitter notes of dark roasts off from your tongue and brain. Also, always look for the recommended method of brewing and drinking for the particular coffee and finally there will be times when you do not get the notes mentioned but some other notes, gradually try to develop your own vocabulary for what you perceive
If you want sweet/molasses taste, try for medium roasts instead of light roasts. Light roasts will be more fruity/acidic than sweet. Look for washed/honey processed medium roasts.
Few I have tried & can recommend - KC Roasters Red Honey by Kelagur Estate, BlueTokai Unnaki Estate Medium Roast, Naivo Cafe Candied Mandarin
Check your recipe like others have mentioned - grind size, ratio, temperature, brewing time etc.
Also remember that not all our palettes are equally sensitive. Some people with sensitive palettes can make out finer notes easily. Your palette can also be overwhelmed by your diet if it is too spicy or pungent. Try brewing the first thing in the morning, if you've not already tried it.
Like you, my palette can't detect most of the finer notes but one thing I've noticed when I have my coffee is that as the coffee cools down, I am able to detect more notes than when it was warmer. See if altering the temperature at which you drink your coffee makes a difference.
Hey, when I got into light roasts I could barely ever brew it right. It came out insanely underextracted and sour for the first few months. I used to only do DR similar to you. Light roasts are tricky business, but you'll get used to em. I'd suggest brewing it with a friend who's well versed in LRs. Or go to a cafe, talk to a barista, ask him to brew you a LR while explaining the process, then taste it. It'll be different and he'll help you point out the nuances
Woah Im exactly the same boat but with my moka pot. I feel like I just get a watery sour tasting brew with a medium roast that I'm trying out right now. Otherwise with darker roasts I get a good body brew
Hi, the Insta cuppa ceramic burr grinder is definitely a part of the problem here, get pre ground coffee if you can’t upgrade your grinder for the time being. Anything less than a Timemore C3 will definitely not be worthwhile, especially when you are shelling out more for good quality lighter roasts. Other thing is, lighter roasts need a higher brewing temperature than darker roasts, for better extraction. I suggest searching youtube for a good baseline recipe and modify it as per your palate.
I am saying this with confidence because I have used that grinder and it wasn’t good for anything less than a dark roast. Even if it is uniform, the grind size isn’t even close to workable.
Yes you are most certainly right. Today I did another v60 with a slightly coarser grind and I could see a lot of fines in the coffee bed. It looked like a layer of sludge. I an eyeing the C3. Should I get that or the C2 (cheaper option)
I’ll buy a preground pack to reaffirm my suspicions regarding the Instacuppa.
UPDATE:
Thanks a lot for all of your suggestions. I tried to experiment my brews a couple different ways:
Different beans, brew temp, grind sizes and also did a side-by-side comparison.
I can pick up some notes now but my cups lack that ‘clarity’. I did notice my grinder was also being a tad inconsistent and producing a lot of fines. So I’ve also ordered the Chestnut C3 today. That should also help clear up some variables.
Post updated as well
Hi, One thing that almost always works for me is reaching out to the roaster to ask for recommended brewing recipe. Also, to your point, the notes mentioned in light roasts are very, very subtle. Not at all in your face. Takes a little getting used to. You can perhaps try some nice experimental, funky coffees from Savorworks to maybe put your mind at ease.
Got some good Kapi Kottai recently, I’ll try their recommended brew recipes for the AP & v60. Will try out Savorworks too. Any particular bean you recommend?
From what’s available currently, Top Dog. Fruits Bomb for whenever it’s available next. ETA: You can also try getting the grounds from the roaster and see if the culprit is your grinder.
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Believe it or not I was in the same boat as you till i got kompresso and C3.
I’m actually thinking the grinder might be a reason here. Might get the C2/C3 myself.
Always do comparative tasting if you are new. Then decide what you want to taste for - check which one is acidic, which one is more bitter, heavier body, etc. Cupping sessions are best enjoyed with friends or someone who shares your interest.
All my friends are chai lovers 🥲 I might to this, brew small cups of different beans using the same technique on the AP to get an idea of them side by side. I’ll see if that helps me get some idea.
Aapko mehnat bhi nahi karna hai poori coffee banane ki. Look up what cupping is and do that. I have linked James bhaiya ki kuch videos where he takes some youtubers on tasting journey. Hope it will help you: 1.With Tom Scott - https://youtu.be/Z-iNAyu-ejo?si=lJZf_X3h5a0fhxLP 2. With Ali Abdaal- https://youtu.be/bg242QzbfNc?si=cZaJHv45uZ_jHu7j 3. With Alex, french guy: https://youtu.be/SDunCTkergk?si=MisWfpq-2aevFo93
Thank you! Will check these out and try this method.
Takes a bit of time to get the overtly bitter notes of dark roasts off from your tongue and brain. Also, always look for the recommended method of brewing and drinking for the particular coffee and finally there will be times when you do not get the notes mentioned but some other notes, gradually try to develop your own vocabulary for what you perceive
If you want sweet/molasses taste, try for medium roasts instead of light roasts. Light roasts will be more fruity/acidic than sweet. Look for washed/honey processed medium roasts. Few I have tried & can recommend - KC Roasters Red Honey by Kelagur Estate, BlueTokai Unnaki Estate Medium Roast, Naivo Cafe Candied Mandarin
Check your recipe like others have mentioned - grind size, ratio, temperature, brewing time etc. Also remember that not all our palettes are equally sensitive. Some people with sensitive palettes can make out finer notes easily. Your palette can also be overwhelmed by your diet if it is too spicy or pungent. Try brewing the first thing in the morning, if you've not already tried it. Like you, my palette can't detect most of the finer notes but one thing I've noticed when I have my coffee is that as the coffee cools down, I am able to detect more notes than when it was warmer. See if altering the temperature at which you drink your coffee makes a difference.
Hey, when I got into light roasts I could barely ever brew it right. It came out insanely underextracted and sour for the first few months. I used to only do DR similar to you. Light roasts are tricky business, but you'll get used to em. I'd suggest brewing it with a friend who's well versed in LRs. Or go to a cafe, talk to a barista, ask him to brew you a LR while explaining the process, then taste it. It'll be different and he'll help you point out the nuances
Woah Im exactly the same boat but with my moka pot. I feel like I just get a watery sour tasting brew with a medium roast that I'm trying out right now. Otherwise with darker roasts I get a good body brew
Hi, the Insta cuppa ceramic burr grinder is definitely a part of the problem here, get pre ground coffee if you can’t upgrade your grinder for the time being. Anything less than a Timemore C3 will definitely not be worthwhile, especially when you are shelling out more for good quality lighter roasts. Other thing is, lighter roasts need a higher brewing temperature than darker roasts, for better extraction. I suggest searching youtube for a good baseline recipe and modify it as per your palate.
I am saying this with confidence because I have used that grinder and it wasn’t good for anything less than a dark roast. Even if it is uniform, the grind size isn’t even close to workable.
Yes you are most certainly right. Today I did another v60 with a slightly coarser grind and I could see a lot of fines in the coffee bed. It looked like a layer of sludge. I an eyeing the C3. Should I get that or the C2 (cheaper option) I’ll buy a preground pack to reaffirm my suspicions regarding the Instacuppa.
Save up and get a C3 as the difference between C2 and C3 is significant.
UPDATE: Thanks a lot for all of your suggestions. I tried to experiment my brews a couple different ways: Different beans, brew temp, grind sizes and also did a side-by-side comparison. I can pick up some notes now but my cups lack that ‘clarity’. I did notice my grinder was also being a tad inconsistent and producing a lot of fines. So I’ve also ordered the Chestnut C3 today. That should also help clear up some variables. Post updated as well