Used coffee grounds are the ideal item to reuse around the home, yard, craft project or even in our health and beauty routine.

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It’s been suggested that humans have been drinking coffee for at least 500 years. And, much like any other historical food or beverage discovery from around the world, once the word is in, both its popularity and cultivation spread like wildfire.

The Story of Discovery

Legend has it that the first coffee was drunk in the Ethiopian highlands. Story is that coffee as a beverage was discovered following a local goat herder seeing his goats eating the coffee berry and then becoming full of energy. This resulted in locals using the berries to make a drink, which was found to also increase their alertness.

From its origins, the special properties of the coffee berry saw consumption spread across the world. As part of this, coffee also began to be grown around the world. All areas today that now grow coffee were sourced from Ethiopian plants.

Coffee, Coffee Houses and Social Gatherings

With the growth in trade and cultivation, the popular “public coffee house” sprang into existence. These coffee houses became meeting places and social gatherings, further increasing their popularity across Arabia.

Coffee in Europe

It is said that coffee had infiltrated Europe by the 17th Century. At first, there was some scepticism over its morality; however, once Pope Clement VIII tasted it and declared his approval, coffee took on a life of its own.

Coffee houses also became very popular across Europe. They were hubs of intellectual thinking, conversation and meeting. It has been said that by the middle of the 17th Century, London had more than 300 coffee houses.

Coffee in the United States

While not called the United States at that time, coffee hit America’s shores in the middle of the 1600s. Up until the Boston Tea Party revolt, tea was North America’s favoured beverage. However, to circumvent the enormous tax on tea at that time, North Americans began drinking coffee instead.

Coffee Cultivation

In order to supply the world’s want for coffee, many countries began cultivating it. While it was Arabia that first cultivated it, the Dutch were the next to succeed in growing it in Indonesia. A coffee sapling was given to the King of France as a gift. This actual sapling is said to be the parent tree from which all coffee trees in the Caribbean, South and Central America originated. Brazil, which today has a thriving coffee industry, was also one of the first to have begun cultivation.

Today, coffee remains a popular beverage around the world. And, for many countries, it is no surprise that it remains one of the most lucrative export crops.

It’s a crying shame to waste perfectly good coffee. The coffee feels it too. We can practically hear it crying as it is poured down the drain. Some folk have told us that they have heard cries of “save me!” and “I can be better!”

Producing the perfect long black isn’t as cut and dry as it sounds. Luckily for us (and you) you’ll never have to experience this heart-break of watching your delicious elixir spiral down the drain again. Read on to find out how.

Typically a long black has 120-180mls of water shot poured on top of the water. In that exact order. Made well, it’s a well-balanced drink, and not as intense as an espresso. The long black allows the flavours to shine without the safety of sugar or diary to hide in. The long black tastes best as it cools slightly from boiling to a drinkable temperature. Only then will you be able to perceive some of the finer nuances and sweetness of the coffee. You may be surprised to know that some long blacks are at their best stone cold – who would have thought!

The long black is the perfect way to enjoy lighter specialty espresso roasts as the extra water lets the flavours open up a bit. You get the fuller mouthfeel of an espresso – and the chance to linger over your brew.

Here at Essential Brands Group, coffee is a very important part of our day. It’s the beverage of choice to start the day, (after a hot water and lemon, of course) and, like most people, it’s what keeps us on our toes and ready to tackle the day.

Personally, my go-to is a skinny latte which is a popular choice for most coffee drinkers. I’ve never stopped to think what my choice says about me. I mean, it’s just a coffee right? Well, some say there’s another way to look at it. And that’s putting a connection between your favourite cup of joe and your personality traits.

Let’s break it down:

Espresso – The Minimalist

If you down a short or long black, you’re probably made of the tough stuff, and are a ‘meat and two vege’ person who and like the simple things in life. You want to appreciate the taste of the coffee without milk and sugar masking the flavours. You’re straight up and tell it like it is. Or, you’re the type of person who wants it all, now. An espresso delivers you this. Anything more slows you down.

Latte – The Artist

You’re laid back and chic. You like to take your time with your coffee and enjoy the flavour and ‘oooohh’ and ‘ahhhhh’ when you’re presented with your brew decorated with latte art. You appreciate the craftsmanship, after all, there’s an artist inside you dying to get out. You believe there’s something quite satisfying about curling your fingers around a takeaway cup and gently sipping away. You want to make this delicate combination of a fresh coffee extraction teamed with steamed milk last. It’s like a hug from Mum. When was the last time you called her, by the way?

Flat White – The Classic

You’re almost as chic as the latte drinker, but you don’t really appreciate and don’t have time for the fuss and time that it takes to create flowers or hearts with the milk. You just want your coffee. After all, you’re not going to see the art when there’s a lid covering it, are you? You like things as they should be. Milk and coffee. Black and white. Hot and cold.

Cappuccino – Social, Creative and Optimistic

You are multi-layered, just like a cappuccino. You can have multiple conversations at once and keep track of each and every one. You don’t want to miss a thing. You like the addition of the foamymountain on your coffee, it takes you back to your childhood when you raided the fridge and created creamy mountains with the spray cream. Since it’s ‘not the done thing’ as an adult you settle for frothy milk instead. Sigh, it’s tough being a grown-up.

Fluffy

Does your Mum know you’re on the internet?

No matter what machine and grinder you have, don’t under-estimate the importance of checking your grinder. The settings need to be checked sporadically to ensure you are getting perfect cup as coffee beans can react to weather (in particular, humidity) and age, which over time can alter the texture. Different grinders have different adjustment dials, so start by checking your particular model and understanding which way to turn the dial to make the grind coarser or finer. We recommend only moving the dial in very small increments (we’re talking approx. 3mm here).

The grinder has a pair of blades that crush the beans into powder. The closer the blades are together the finer the grind will be. And in reverse, the further apart the blades are, the coarser the grind is.

Getting the right grind is a balancing act. The first step is feeling if a grind is roughly accurate – it should feel powdery but with a grainy finish. If the powder feels very dry and soft it is likely too fine. It the powder feels very sandy and rough it is probably too coarse.

There are many different opinions on what makes a spectacular shot of coffee. A good general guide is that the first drop should take four to six seconds and should drop like melted chocolate off a spoon. A good extraction rate is 25 to 30 millilitres in 25 to 30 seconds.

If shots take less than 25 seconds, then the grind is too coarse and water is moving through it too quickly. The grinder probably needs to be adjusted to make the grind finer.

If shots take more than 35 seconds then the grind is too fine and water is moving through it too slowly. The grinder probably needs to be adjusted to make the grind coarser.

By checking your grinder and making small adjustments when necessary, you can be sure you will keep producing the perfect brew!