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Hey there, coffee lovers! Today, we're going to dive into the world of V60 brewing and learn how to make a delicious and nuanced cup of coffee. But first, let's talk about what a V60 even is!
The V60 is a cone-shaped pour-over brewer that's become increasingly popular in recent years because of its simplicity and the ability to highlight the unique flavors of coffee. It's like a fancy little funnel that helps extract the best flavors out of your coffee beans. But, like any great tool, it requires some know-how to use properly.
THE LANNA COFFEE V60 BREWING RECIPE
So, let's get into the nitty-gritty of V60 brewing with this recipe:
- Grind: 8.1 on Fellow Opus (coarse grind setting)
- Dosage: 20g to 300ml of water (1:15 ratio)
- Pour Structure:
- 50g pour with swirl at 0:00
- 50g pour with swirl at 0:45
- 100g pour with swirl at 1:30
- 100g pour with swirl at 2:15
- Start pouring water at center in a spiraling motion and work your way to the outside to knock the grounds back to the bed, then works back to the center. At the end of each pour, gently swirl the V60 dripper to level out the bed to promote even extraction.
- Should finish around 3:30 minutes, but don't worry if it takes a little longer or shorter. Judge by taste.
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V60 BREWING RECIPE EXPLAINED
Okay, okay, that's a lot of information to take in. Let's break it down and explain the reasoning behind each step.
First off, the grind size is essential to the V60 brewing process. The recipe calls for a grind size of 8.1 on the Fellow Opus grinder. It's important to use a consistent grind size to achieve an even extraction. A coarse grind helps prevent channeling, which leads to uneven extraction along with an extraction of bitter flavors.
Next up, we have the coffee to water ratio. The recipe calls for a 1:15 coffee to water ratio, which means 20g of coffee beans are used for 300ml of water. This ratio provides a balanced and smooth cup of coffee. It's important to note that you can adjust this ratio based on your taste preferences. I
Moving on, let's talk about the pour structure. The pour structure starts at the center of the V60 and works in a spiraling motion outwards to knock down the grounds and back to the center. This technique aids in even extraction and helps prevent channeling. After each pour, a gentle swirl is done to level out the coffee bed and promote even extraction.
Lastly, we have the brewing time. The entire brewing process should take around 3:30 minutes, but don't worry if it takes a little longer or shorter. Judge the brewing time by taste. It's important to experiment and adjust the recipe to your preferences. After all, coffee brewing is an art form!
THE SCIENCE OF BREWING
Now, let's talk about the science behind V60 brewing. When you pour hot water over coffee grounds, the water extracts various compounds that give coffee its unique flavors and aromas. The goal is to extract the right balance of flavors and avoid over or under-extraction.
The V60 is great for highlighting the subtle flavors and aromas in coffee beans. The cone shape allows for a longer contact time between the water and coffee grounds, resulting in a richer and more nuanced cup of coffee.
But, there's more to brewing coffee than just the V60. The water you use is just as important as the coffee beans. Hard water can affect the taste of your coffee and leave mineral buildup in your coffee maker. It's best to use filtered or bottled water to ensure a clean and consistent taste.
Now, let's talk about the taste. The recipe aims to achieve a balanced and smooth cup of coffee with a TDS (total dissolved solids) above 1.40. TDS measures the concentration of coffee solids in the brewed coffee.
But, ultimately, taste is subjective. You may prefer a stronger or weaker cup of coffee, and that's okay! The beauty of V60 brewing is that it allows you to experiment and adjust the recipe to your liking. So if you prefer a weaker cup of coffee, consider adjusting your brewing ratio to perhaps 1:17 or 20g of coffee to 340ml of water.
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THE LANNA COFFEE V60 BREWING RECIPE (EXTENDED VERSION)
Now, let's put our newfound knowledge to the test and brew some coffee using the V60 recipe.
First, grind your coffee beans at an 8.1 setting on the Fellow Opus grinder. Then, boil your water and let it cool for a minute or two to around 200°F (93°C). Place your V60 on top of your coffee cup or carafe, and rinse the paper filter with hot water to remove any papery taste.
Add the ground coffee to the V60, making sure it's evenly distributed. Start your timer and pour 50g of water over the coffee, making sure to cover all the grounds. Swirl the V60 gently to ensure even extraction.
At 0:45, pour another 50g of water in a circular motion, starting from the center and working outwards. Swirl the V60 again to level out the coffee bed.
At 1:30, pour 100g of water in the same circular motion. Swirl the V60 again to ensure even extraction.
At 2:15, pour the final 100g of water, again in a circular motion. Swirl the V60 to level out the coffee bed.
The entire brewing process should take around 3:30 minutes. Once finished, discard the coffee grounds and enjoy your delicious cup of V60-brewed coffee!
In conclusion, the V60 is a fantastic way to brew coffee and extract the unique flavors and aromas in your coffee beans. It requires some knowledge and experimentation, but the results are well worth it. Remember to use a consistent grind size, a balanced coffee to water ratio, and adjust the recipe to your taste preferences. Happy brewing!