For many many years, Colombians believed that pouring boiling water onto instant coffee was the best way to make coffee. Foreign ads for years have convinced them that this was indeed the best and only way. Thankfully as years go by and with free access to information, this belief has declined and people started to discover more natural and richer alternatives of coffee making.
In the coffee regions of Colombia, such as Jericó (Antioquia), tourism began to spark the interest in the natural origins of coffee, and thus the traditional coffee farms began to welcome (and still host) thousands of coffee-loving visitors. This was also the what has motivated the farmers to discover more authentic ways of preparing coffee, as until now they had limited themselves to only sowing and harvesting.
And although there is a lot of variety when it comes to making coffee, the most widely spread and recommended is: Ground coffee;
These can be used directly as long as the taste, smell and color remain preserved. However, instant ground coffee that we usually buy contains artificial flavors that mimics the real experience of drinking coffee, and once ground, the grain will lose its properties and characteristics quickly.
While you think that grinding coffee may not be available to everyone, the truth is that nowadays we can find very small, cheap and practical grinders.
Here are some more tips how to prepare a good coffee:
Water and coffee ratio.
The right proportion of coffee and water is very important. Putting too much or too little can easily ruin the coffee experience. The proper ratio is 6 to 8 grams of coffee per 4 oz (120 ml) of water.
Importance of quality of water.
Using drinking water with good taste is absolutely necessary so that the flavor of the coffee remains intact and stays as pure as possible. Nowadays we can also find varieties such as water with cinnamon, panela (unrefined whole cane sugar) or ginger, which will give the coffee a subtle touch of extra flavor.
Coffee maker or a coffee filter?
Ideally, strain the coffee. Traditionally it is done using a cloth coffee filter where a few tablespoons of ground coffee are added and then boiling water is poured directly into the cup. You can also use a French press, a very natural process of filtering coffee that produces very similar result to traditional filter. And of course, king of coffee makers, the Italian moka, however after a while the material of these coffee makers can affect the final taste.
Only black.
Coffee without sugar, it is. Though it can be very bitter, expert baristas recommend not to damage the original flavor with sweeteners, since there is no other way to really enjoy the tastes and smells of coffee.
We hope these advises have helped you getting to know the authentic process to make coffee. We are waiting for you in Jericó, Antioquia to enjoy the most authentic travel experience where you can discover local farms which will let you experience the real coffee experience.
