Bean by bean. The INCAPTO Blog

In recent times a coffee maker, has become the perfect gift for all coffee lovers. But why? It turns out that these incredible machines are capable of helping you prepare an exquisite, quality drink to start your day, or simply to enjoy a pleasant moment.When we prepare coffee, what we are really doing is dissolving a part of the coffee beans, previously roasted and ground, in water. That's what we know as a coffee drink. From there, there are many methods to prepare it, each one has its particularities. For example, in the morning you may crave a coffee brewed in some filter method, but after lunch you may long for an espresso, brewed in a moka pot. As you will see, there are many ways to prepare coffee, whether in a filter or in any coffee maker.There is a wide variety of coffee makers on the market. These are classified by recognized brands, high prices and even attractive, simple, economical and competitive models. There are many things, right? Fortunately, you came to the right place, since we will take care of giving you all the guidelines, so that your purchase is a success.How to choose the best?If until now you don't know which coffee maker to buy, Incapto Coffee, advises selecting not only the most attractive or economical model. The ideal is to look for a coffee maker that suits your tastes when it comes to drinking coffee.For example, if you are a fan of a cup where you can perceive all the nuances, and enjoy it for a long time, it is recommended that you opt for filtering methods.But if you are one of those who is looking for a strong, intense and concentrated flavor, then it is advisable to look for a coffee maker to prepare espresso. Those, who like the traditional method, the best option will undoubtedly be the Moka. As you will see, everything will depend on how you like to prepare it.Other points that should also be considered is that it has a practical size, so that it does not get in the way in the kitchen and can be cleaned without complications.Next, Incapto Coffee, will review the options we have, depending on the type of drink we prefer.Espresso methodsEspresso makerThey consider it the most famous and successful of the coffee makers. It is very common in bars and even homes, but preparing a coffee in this machine can be quite complicated, unless we have experience. Another thing that limits us is its high price, believe it or not, the cheapest one costs about €1,500, you can already get an idea of ​​how much the rest costs. Remember that this will always depend on the brand and the customization you request.If you decide to buy the espresso machineYou should know that you will have to purchase a mill. A piece that turns out to be even more important than the coffee maker itself. The reason is that, if we want a 100 point drink, we have to be careful with the coffee grind, in short, you should only use a very coarse or fine grind, otherwise we could ruin the drink.But there is still something even more important than the machine and the mill itself. It's about taking the barista course, where we will learn to operate the espresso machine perfectly. What's the point of having a Ferrari if we don't know how to drive?Capsule coffee makerIt must be recognized that these machines are capable of preparing a fake espresso in a way practical and fast. Our hectic pace of life has made them popular in the coffee market, they even give you one for just opening a bank account. However, the capsules will never be purchased at the quality of a freshly ground espresso coffee free of contaminants, which is why they have not managed to captivate true fans of this drink.Unfortunately, this type of product is highly polluting for the environment. Mainly because of its aluminum and plastic containers, since organic remains always remain in them, which complicates recycling. If they are made of paper or compostable, common sense does not say that the energy and raw materials needed to manufacture single-dose pods pollute more than directly consuming coffee beans.That's why, Incapto Coffee, invites you to enjoy a good cup responsibly, leaning towards a coffee bean, ready to grind and of course, unencapsulated, an option that would help us conserve the planet.Another of the most common disadvantages of these coffee makers is their high price. As is their incompatibility, that is, they only work with a single type of capsules, and they also tend to be much noisier. You are likely to fall under the charms of capsule coffee, but you should know that each variety of them needs its own coffee maker.Super-automatic coffee machinesBefore passing your card at the point of sale, we will give you some tips so that you don't regret your purchase. One of them is to observe whether the machine has a removable infusion group or not, since its function is to compress the coffee and press the water through a tablet and thus enjoy a delicious espresso.But what will be the right option? In machines that have removable fusion, hygiene is better, and you can easily get spare parts if you need them. In coffee makers with fixed fusion, there are programs that offer a good cleaning and will be less work.All manufacturers of super automatic coffee makers indicate that it must be descaled frequently, a process that can be carried out less frequently if it contains a water filter, since it will be able to reduce the hardness of the vital liquid.It is important that the location given to it in the kitchen, choose an appropriate place so that it can be filled and cleaned comfortably, something that will undoubtedly allow you to enjoy your product.Another aspect to consider is the grinder of the machine, in this case there are two types:Disc grindersThose made of tempered steel or ceramic are usually uncommon in super-automatic coffee makers. If your machine has it, you will notice that the ground coffee will be much coarser, this is due to the distance between the discs.Grinders with conical grinding wheelsThey are more common in most of this type of coffee makers. Because, they are able to ensure a better consistency and a delicious aroma. As if that were not enough, it has a total of 17 grinding levels ranging from fine to coarser.Both pieces fit together perfectly, something that does not happen with the discs, that is, the ground coffee is not pressed outwards and simply falls out.Conical burr grinders tend to heat the coffee less and are even much noisier. Unlike discs, which do their process silently and the drink is served a little hotter.Those who are fans of a good espresso will be able to enjoy a good cup by simply preparing it in these coffee makers and to be successful you must consider these points:-Avoid using supermarket coffees, because they have been stored for a long time and are not fresh at all.-Purchase beans that have been recently roasted. Fortunately Incapto Coffee, roast the coffee every week-The level of grinding of the grain will depend on the consumer's taste.Filtering methodsNot everything is about top-notch technology when it comes to preparing an exquisite cup of coffee, this can be achieved manually thanks to the popular filtering methods. Before deciding on any of them, it is important that you keep the following in mind:-The type of coffee you use, the quantity and the grinding point-The type of water, quantity and temperature-The time the coffee is in contact with the waterChemexIt's quite a work of art. No, we are not exaggerating because in addition to being visually incredible, it has a place in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, it is even capable of preparing up to eight cups, unlike other pour-over equipment.Its filters are thicker than the rest, in fact, it usually works better with a coarse-medium grind, however, its deep V-shaped design makes it difficult to maintain consistency when brewing coffee.Hario V60Its popularity is due to the pour-over/drip preparation, this device is capable of offering a consistent and clean coffee. The type of grinding used is medium-fine. Once the product has been placed on the coffee bed, hot water is poured in in a circle.This filter, whose name owes it to its 60° cone, can also be applied extraction methods ranging from temperature to grind size. If you are one of those people who looks for quality in a cup and at the same time, experience all types of preparation, then the Hario V60 is for you.Kalita WaveAlthough it is a pour/drip method the same as the Hario V60, they are totally different, because it has a flat bottom with three small holes, something that affects the flow of water causing it to accumulate at the bottom before starting to drip.Since Incapto Coffee, we recommend using a medium-fine grind. This filtering procedure is perfect for those who prefer a more consistent coffee.Automatic filterIf you don't know how it works, don't worry, we'll explain it to you. The first thing you should do is place the ground coffee in a paper or cloth filter, then add the hot water so that after a few minutes the drink begins to fall drop by drop into the jug. It is important to highlight that you have to use a medium grind and thus taste an aromatic and fuller-bodied coffee. The final result will always depend on the amount of coffee and water we use.Moka Coffee MakerIt is one of the most popular, in fact it has a special place in most homes and the reasons are obvious: the best espressos are obtained, since the steam inside manages to exceed 1.5 bars of pressure, and the best of all is that it is very easy to use, making it the perfect candidate.The good news is that it is one of the coffee makers cheaper and also gives that retro touch to your decoration. Depending on its size, it is capable of preparing up to 12 cups.But if it is too large, you run the risk of leaving over coffee, which then has to be reheated, losing the quality of the flavor and aroma. Remember that, if you prefer a strong drink, but your budget is tight, do not hesitate to purchase a super-automatic coffee maker like the one offered. Incapto Coffee or for the Mocha of a lifetime. Although there are endless ways to prepare coffee, none compares to the very vintage Moka coffee maker, the same one that, in addition to giving it this homey touch, will help you relive your childhood when you went to your grandparents' house and from the aroma you knew that it was time for espresso.Sources:Best super-automatic coffee makers 20194 super-automatic coffee machines for less than 300 euros to forget about capsules at the best priceTen types of coffee makers do not mean going to the supermarket for aluminum capsules

To be able to enjoy the great little pleasure of having a good cup of coffee, you have to keep in mind that there are countless factors that can directly affect the flavor of the final drink. From the selection of the seed to the preparation of the drink, including roasting, there are many small steps that we will have to take care of if we want to have an exquisite coffee that awakens our senses. Incapto Coffee, divides these factors into three stages. That is why we say that the coffee “is cooked” or transformed in each of these phases. So all of us who participate in any of them must be aware that we are responsible for the final flavor of the drink. Coffee growers and logistics providers are responsible for the first stage related to raw materials. Roasters are responsible for the second stage: Roasting. Finally, you, as a consumer, are responsible for the third stage: Preparation. We have to do this work as a team, since if there is any failure in any of the phases, it will be noticeable when we drink our cup of coffee.First Stage: Coffee, the raw materialThe coffee tree must be planted and cared for with care in what is known as nurseries, for approximately 3 or 4 months, and then be transferred to the cultivation field where they will finish their process. During the first year, fruits will be obtained, however, these cannot yet be marketed. The future of the harvest will depend 100% on the botanical variety that the coffee grower adopts.The total maturation of coffee, is reached between three and five years after being planted, once this time has passed, marketing can begin. A curious fact about coffee flowering is that in addition to having a short time, it is a gardenia family and when it sprouts it gives off a magnificent smell. After about four days, the flower begins to fall and that is when the grains finally begin to be seen.Those greenish fruits that we see on coffee bushes change their color to a reddish hue. When they are completely ripe and are called cherries, they can sometimes look a little yellowish but this depends on their botanical variety.Inside the coffee cherries we can find two beans, these are covered by several layers of skin which are:-The silver one-The parchment-The exterior of the cherryIt should be noted that there are 60 species of plants so the grain size will depend on this. The coffee tree can have a long life of approximately 50 years, in fact it is capable of producing between 800 and 1200g of green coffee annually.Care that provides quality coffeeAs the faithful consumer of this natural drink, you should know that the process it goes through before reaching your cup requires many methods, especially the demanding care to which the crop fields are subjected.You're probably wondering: how much should farmers do? These people have the responsibility of locating the plant in an area where it receives sufficient light and with an ideal temperature that would be between 24 and 29 degrees.Tropical countries whose lands and climate are suitable for cultivation they are:-Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru, Panama, where washed Arabica coffee and a small portion of Robusta are mainly produced specifically in Guatemala.- Africa: On this continent, the cultivation of robusta coffee is more common, primarily in Angola, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Cameroon, while Arabica flourishes in the lands of Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.-Asia: It is another potential producer of Arabica and Robusta coffee, especially in the countries Vietnam, Sumatra, Indonesia, India, Laos, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, New Guinea.Collection methodsThe season is once again in charge of saying when the fruits that are only ripe will be picked. A process carried out manually and meticulously, which would help at the same time prevent damage to the other berries.In some cases they apply what is known as scraping, a procedure that consists of taking all the cherries from the coffee tree regardless of their state of maturity, and then carrying out a careful selection.After the grains have been previously reviewed, they are subjected to the processing method which is classified as follows:-Wet (Gentle washes)-Semi-moist (pulped natural)-Dry or naturalBut what does each of them consist of? It is very simple to understand, for example, when the wet mode is applied, the coffee must be pulped, then fermented or demucilaginized, after which it is washed and dried. When the coffee is dried inside the cherry, it is known as the natural method.While Semi-humid is characterized by pulping and drying the beans, a step that in the coffee industry is known as semi-washed or natural pulping.Second stage: RoastingLike any other food that is cooked, the flavor and aroma will depend on how we do this process. Important things to take into account at this stage are: the temperature with which we preheat the machine. How we regulate the power of the flame, what air flow circulates between the beans, at what temperature and at what time we take out the coffee.We first study the optimal point of each coffee in a sample machine. Subsequently, we do several tests until we find the greatest potential for each variety. And of course, we roast each coffee alone, since depending on the density of the bean it will need different roasting conditions. In this phase we can make the coffee more acidic, sweeter, have more body or be more bitter.Third Stage: Preparation Although it is the last stage, this is just as important as the rest. In this phase what we do is dissolve part of the coffee solids in the water. The first thing that will vary the final result is the method we use. The most common are the espresso machine, filter methods, the traditional mocha or the super automatic coffee makers. What basic concepts do you have to keep in mind when preparing a coffee: -The proportion of coffee and water. That is, amount of coffee and amount of water. -The extraction time or the time that the coffee will be in contact with the water. -The grinding point of the coffee, whether it is coarser or finer.-The temperature of the water and the type of water, whether it is harder or softer, will also vary the flavor. -If you use the espresso machine or the super-automatic, the pressure is also important.Quality Incapto CoffeeAs a brand specialized in coffee, we take care of buying clean beans and they are of origin defects. Thanks to this in, Incapto Coffee, We do not need to do a new phase of cleaning the coffee beans, we do not bring defective beans.In our product catalog the customer will find premium and specialty commercial coffee. Our purpose is to bring to every corner of Spain a coffee that is flawless, natural and does not allow itself to be encapsulated.Regarding storage, the grains are usually placed in a “grain pro” bag and later in another jute bag.Now what's left is tasting! In this way we will know if we are offering a quality coffee, a verdict that can only be given by the Q Grader, a taster certified by the Coffee Quality Institute, and applies the protocol of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) where it is responsible for verifying sweetness, flavor, balance, fragrance, among other factors.Source:Coffee: A basic explanation from seed to cup

The appearance of capsule coffee has put the coffee industry between a rock and a hard place, as it is considered a product that goes beyond practicality and quality, being less ecological, containing chemicals and draining our pockets due to its high costs.When we refer to capsule coffee, the comments are not positive at all. Health is one of the things that is in danger, as highlighted by a study published by the University of Barcelona, Spain, these products contain furan, a toxic carcinogenic compound, which if consumed in excess can be harmful.Specialists in the field agree that the less processed the coffee is, the quality will be higher, because its flavor, aroma and texture will meet all expectations, delighting the palate to the maximum. Differences between grain and capsuleThere may be countless opinions regarding this, but ours is that it is common sense, you need less energy to produce it, you generate less waste, it is better because it is fresher! Well yes, we are talking about grain.The quality is before your eyes. The creaminess and delicious flavor of an espresso will never be found in a capsule. Incredibly, coffee pods became the best-selling product in the world. With an increase of 26%, in fact it has already surpassed the rest of the preparation modalities up to eight times. A feat that really does not surprise us, since the hectic pace of life has pushed the population to look for quick and less flattering options.Fortunately Incapto Coffee, also makes your days easier with the super automatic coffee maker, which is just as practical and comfortable, at the best price on the market and chemical-free.Why is grain better?We could spend hours talking about the benefits of consuming coffee beans. But as the good specialists that we are, we always recommend to our clientele, grind the product before preparing it, in order to preserve each of its properties, especially its pleasant aroma, which ranges from floral to chocolatey.. Just like that, a magnificent caramel-colored cream, which adorns our cup, without leaving out its characteristic acidity.Enjoying the second most popular drink in the world is a matter of taste and color. If you are one of those who cannot start your day without a good coffee, Incapto invites you to prepare it in a very practical, comfortable and clean way.The world's population agrees that coffee is an essential part of their daily routine. In total, About 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed, in all corners of the world, becoming once again the favorite drink of many.Coffee beans will never be a bad option when it comes to conserving the environment. If we want to share a pleasant time with loved ones and even to keep ourselves stimulated during the day, that is why it does not allow itself to be encapsulated! Capsule coffee harmful to the planetUnfortunately, capsules have become a threat to the environment. This is due to its materials based on aluminum and plastic, which do not turn out to be biodegradable. In short, they are not recyclable and are often placed in the wrong containers.Not all people take the time to do responsible recycling. Only one in five cares about collecting and delivering the coffee capsules.However, companies like Nescafe and Lavazza, They assure that they can be recycled. The truth is that, to achieve this, organic remains must be completely eliminated, an action that requires great effort and that only a very low percentage of the population does. What are biodegradable capsules?Apparently, the capsules biodegradable They turn out to be less harmful to the planet. Because they disintegrate in one or three months, coming from 100% organic materials. But is it really good? The answer is “NO”, for these reasons: -They are contaminants. Manufacturing them requires a lot of energy to produce the material, package the coffee and subsequently compost it. -If it does not reach a composting plant, it does not degrade in the time stated by the manufacturer. It needs to be treated to decompose. And... how many of the biodegradable capsules are not thrown into the organic container? -It does not have the same quality as freshly ground coffee ready to prepare. That is why neither its aroma nor flavor will be similar to freshly ground grains. For hundreds of years, traditional coffee preparation methods have never endangered the environment. This being a good reason to leave aside single doses The largest number of consumers is found in countries such as the United States, Italy and Spain. As if that were not enough, a study published by Kantar Worldpanel reveals that in a few years, capsule coffee could surpass ground and soluble coffee; if the matter is not taken, the planet will continue to suffer great damage. Coffee in capsules, It is a product that requires special coffee makers. Machines that tend to be too noisy and are captive, even only accepting a particular type of capsules.Lean towards coffee beans. Don't encapsulate yourself!Since Incapto Coffee, we want to motivate you to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and always committed to caring for the planet. In fact, the biodegradable packaging producer Halo claims that 13,500 plastic or aluminum capsules are thrown into the trash every minute. That is, in one year exceed 7 billion, They can even take at least a century to recycle naturally. Specialists assure that, if these are placed side by side, they could go around the world about 14 times! As a brand specialized in the coffee industry, in addition to rejecting the commercialization of capsule coffee, we will continue to promote conscious consumption through our products and platforms. Sources: Coffee in capsules, everything you need to know Differences between coffee in capsules and coffee beans for hospitality The Coffee Market and the important transition