Home Quality at the Café

What the market says is "good coffee" and what I personally think is good coffee often align—but not always. For a milk-based drink, I like a bit of darkness to cut through the milk. For an espresso shot, I crave flavor, smoothness, and not even a whisper of bitterness. And for an exaggerated pour-over, I’m after fruity notes that border on tea-like delicacy.

For a café owner, the big question is: Do I serve what most people would call “good coffee,” or do I give in to my self-indulgent ego and serve what some hipster swears is “good coffee”? My mind immediately goes to that famous trading quote: "The market can stay irrational longer than you can stay liquid."

The truth is, each of us likes our coffee just a little differently. To prove the point, the CEO of Starbucks recently mentioned that they offer well over 100,000 customizable options across their network. That brings me to the espresso home setup. The tagline is often, “Café-quality coffee at home!” But here’s my twist: these days, the quality is probably better at home because you can customize your coffee to be exactly how you like it.

A Quick Dive into the Mechanics

Espresso machines: Their job is simple—deliver hot water at a set pressure. All the bells and whistles are great, but pressure and temperature are the real MVPs.

Grinders: This is where you can’t skimp. But the good news? A solid grinder won’t force you into taking out a second mortgage.

Once you’ve nailed these basics, call me (cough cough - subscription plug here). Grab a bag of fresh beans, dial in your machine (that’s a lesson for another day), and voilà—you’ve got yourself a routine that cant be beaten at the cafe. It cant be beaten, because no one can tell you what good coffee should be. Thats 100% on you. A roaster like me, can show you some options but we cant, shouldn't and do not pretend to be experts of what is "good" for you.

"No Bad Religion song can make your life complete"

Tom

January 21, 2025 — Tom Denton