Tips on brewing light roasted coffees!

Extracting your light roasted coffees

Because light roasted coffees have a much more complex and nuanced character than dark roasted coffees, it is no surprise that the way we treat and extract these two kinds of coffees should also be different.

Let’s begin at roasting; when our coffees get roasted, carbon dioxide is released into the air. Because light roasted coffees spend far less time in the roaster than dark roasted coffees, less carbon dioxide is released.

Carbon dioxide is undesirable in our coffees because the trapped gas forms a wall between our coffees and the extraction water, resulting in an ‘uneven extraction’. Coffees that are unevenly extracted usually produce an undesirable acidic and bitter taste in our coffee, so here are a few easy techniques to help you get rid of those nasty carbon dioxides!

1. Resting our coffees

This step is particularly important for light roasted coffees, which contain a lot of trapped carbon dioxide. We recommend leaving your light roasted coffees in our packaging or in an air-tight container for at least 3 weeks to allow the trapped carbon dioxide to be released. For optimum resting period, go for 6-8 weeks, but this also depends on the type of coffee you use.

2. Blooming our coffees

For those that enjoy filter coffee, we suggest that you allow your coffees to ‘bloom’ properly. Blooming refers to the first pour of water onto ground coffee. You may notice sizzling air bubbles from your ground coffee as the trapped carbon dioxide gets released into the air.
Our rule of thumb for blooming is to use water three times the weight of your ground coffee to bloom for 45 seconds before your next pour. The actual weight and time may differ depending on the taste you’re after, the coffee you use and the length of its resting period.

By following these simple techniques, you will be able to extract your coffees better. Furthermore, there are other benefits to drinking light roasted coffees, which include:

1. Development of the taste notes

During resting, our coffees will release carbon dioxide into the air. This produces a notable effect on the taste notes we’re able to extract. Over time, your coffees will develop a changing taste profile, taking you on a journey of discovery. Some days you may find certain flavours in your coffees; others, you may be surprised by the taste notes that are unveiled.

2. Longer lifespan

Light roasted coffees can be kept for up to three months after the roast date. This means that you can enjoy your coffee at its prime for a much longer time. We suggest that you keep your coffees in our packaging or in an air-tight container, away from sunlight and heat to prolong the quality.

3. Vitamins & The good stuffs

Due to its much shorter roasting period, light roasted coffees retain more antioxidants and micronutrients than its counterpart, so that’s just better for you isn’t it!

Now that you’re equipped with these techniques, what are you waiting for!
Let’s get brewing!

Video by Assembly Coffee
Coffee Archive is the official distributor of Assembly Coffee and Sey Coffee in Thailand.