What is Cold Brew Coffee?

Monochrome Cold Brew

Cold Brew Coffee is a rising trend in town and we sure are embracing it.

You might have seen food journals, magazines, blogs and your social media feeds bursting with pictures or reviews of Cold Brew coffees. It is for sure, the new it coffee at the moment.

Why do people levitate towards Cold Brew Coffees? There are a couple of reasons. And the ones who truly appreciate their coffee will taste the robust and concentrated flavours in cold brews, while still enjoying the taste of the coffee itself as opposed to downing it like an espresso.

If you are still confused, here’s a simple read on What You Need To Know About Cold Brew Coffee.

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7 Best Cold Brew Coffees in Singapore – The New ‘It’ Drink

Dutch Colony Cold Brew 2

Cold brew coffee is the new ‘It‘ drink. Trust us when we say that we are onboard the Cold Brew Express as well. Cold brew coffee is made by slow extraction of coffee using only cool (not hot or warm) water over a long period of time, averaging 2 to 24 hours (usually).

This process intensifies the flavour of the coffee beans used. Because of this, many baristas choose to use a light roast coffee as opposed to a dark or full roast, as the latter can be very bitter once the whole cold brewing process is done.

Most of the baristas we talked to from these cafes also told us that they prefer using a single origin instead of a blend for the same reason. Here are 7 Best Cold Brew Coffees in Singapore that are a cut above the rest.

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13 Barista Tips For Making Great Coffee At Home

Barista Tips

I love my coffee, and back when I was working in a magazine, I got the chance to speak with many baristas to get their tips on brewing a fantastic cuppa at home. Let’s face it – paying $5 to $6 for coffee every day is not the easiest thing on your wallet. I’d gotten the low-down from the folks from top cafes and coffee shops like Maison Ikkoku, Toby’s Estate, Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Jewel Coffee, Highlander Coffee and Oriole Cafe & Bar.

So here are 13 barista tips for making great coffee at home!

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How to Make A Perfect Cup of Coffee

Perfect Cup Coffee

Enjoying a cup of coffee is more than just a matter of taste, or fancy latte art. All five of our senses play a big part, and I believe there are some added components that attribute to a good cup of coffee.

Experiencing all that coffee has to offer is more than just a two-way street; with the barista making the coffee, and the customer drinking the coffee. It involves the most complex understanding on how that coffee was being prepared until it reaches your lip.

I had the opportunity to visit Khairul (better known as K-Man) – the Head Barista at Sarnies Cafe – and learn more about the art of making coffee. Here are the basics on the roles in processing coffee’s rich data - starting with Blending, Roasting, Grinding, and Extraction.

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Singapore’s Best Coffee Shops

Singapore's Best Coffee Shops

In the recent years, we have seen the explosion of cafes in the local scene, and there is almost a new cafe opening every week. From hole-in-the-wall joints to specialty coffee houses and chic cafes, there are plenty of options to choose from when you are having caffeine withdrawal.

Follow our guide to the best coffee shops in Singapore.

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How to be a Barista

Forty Hands Coffee

The coffee scene has propelled over the last few years, and gone are the days that being a barista is but a part-time stint; it is, in fact, a full-fledged career for many. We sat down with Harry Grover, owner of Forty Hands, to ask him some of the criteria that he looks for when he is hiring a barista.

“Most of the staff that we have hired did not have much experience prior to joining us. It is a profession that you don’t really have to have any background. You just need to find the right people who are truly passionate about what they are doing,” Grover says.

At Forty Hands, a new staff needs to work the floor – wash cups, serve tables, do anything and everything – for a few months before they even get a chance to go near the espresso machine. Grover explains his rationale behind this: “I want to see people’s dedication. In order to be a good barista, you need to have the right attitude and work ethics. I am more inclined to hire someone who has worked at KFC for a long period of time than to hire someone who has experience at another café for only 3 months. If they can commit to doing all the crap jobs, then we are more than willing to teach them everything that we know.”

To sum up the chat with Grover, here are some of the things that you should know and possesses in order to be a good barista.

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