Red Whale Coffee Blog

Is it Time to Invest in New Brewing Equipment?! Let’s Talk About it..... January 22, 2015

You have your delicious bag of Red Whale Coffee, you can’t wait to brew it up and drink it at home. What are you using to brew it? For the best quality of coffee, considering your brewing equipment and brewing process is important. We have a variety of different brewers available for you to consider. Let’s walk through some frequently asked brewing questions and a few suggestions for home!

 How should I store my coffee at home!?

This is a question we are often asked. A common myth is that it is best to store your coffee in a freezer. This is a myth. The freezer destroys the oils in the beans and makes the coffee flat, killing the flavor. The best place to store coffee is in the original Red Whale Coffee bag but if you must transfer your coffee to a container, a sealed glass container, like a Ball Jar or airtight container. Store your beans in a cool place with no sunlight exposure.

Grind: How fine should my grind be?

For the best cup possible, we recommend grinding your coffee immediately before brewing. When the bean is whole, the flavors are sealed inside. After grinding coffee, that flavor is released, meaning that grinding it even hours before you make your coffee will deplete the flavor you enjoy. When a coarser grind is recommended when using a metal filter. When using a paper filter, a finer grind will give you the best result. A coarse grind for coffee allows water to pass through too quickly and if your coffee is ground too fine, the water will have trouble going through the filter, blocking a proper coffee extraction. Stay tuned for more information in February on what sort of grinders we recommend for home use!

Brewing Methods: How much coffee do I use to make my cup?!

We recommend a half-ounce or one tablespoon to each measured cup of water for the proper extraction. Coffee is a very personal experience and there are many varieties of coffee. We can help guide you through the world of coffees to find your perfect coffee fit.   Experiment to find your personal preference, brewing methods can either bring out more flavor and oils or less, leaving you with a clarified cup! It’s all a good excuse to drink more coffee!

A question commonly asked: What is the difference between using a paper filter or a metal filter?

A paper filter will give you a cleaner cup; allowing only the liquid to pass through, with no sediment at the bottom of your cup. A grind of 5 is a nice fine grind for a paper filter, you could go a little finer, but be careful! Or the water will not be able to move through the grind.

Extracting coffee with a metal filter creates a deeper cup experience by allowing the fine coffee particulate and oils to pass through the filter, adding depth and a texture to your cup. For the metal Able Kone a coarse grind of about 7 is recommended, but play around to your personal taste.

We offer both paper and metal filters at Red Whale Coffee. The metal, Able Kone filter is made locally in the Bay Area (support local) and is a perfect addition to your home brewing routine. A group of coffee lovers, wanting a sustainable filter option for their Chemex maker, were inspired in the technology and design, to develop a filter that provides the best possible cup.

Brewing Equipment Recommendations
Chemex

If you want a coffee brewer that withstands the test of time, we recommend the Chemex. Invented in 1941, the Chemex is a classic coffee brewer that continues to be one of the best options for coffee brewing. The simplicity of its glass design gives it a modern look, while being functional and heat proof. For the maximum quality of your cup, we recommend pairing it with the Able Kone.   The sleek hourglass Chemex shape paired with the Able Kone, is nice look for serving. The coffee can also be stored in the Chemex, sustaining the quality flavor it had when first brewed.

 

Kone Brewing System

Able Brewing in a effort to build upon the Kone Filter, created the Kone Brewing System. Made from ceramic, it is functional and has a clean simple design, making it ideal for serving to guests or storing the coffee for later use.

AeroPress

The AeroPress Brewer is ideal for travel and making your coffee by the cup. It is economical, easy to clean, and portable. It has a speedy brew time that allows the coffee to have a gentle taste to it, with little room for bitterness. Because the coffee is completely immersed, the extraction is uniform, without a chance of over extraction. It can be used with a paper filter or a metal filter; the AeroPress includes a micro filter to allow rich tastes without the grit and it is made from plastic that is BPA and pthlalates free.   A great addition to your vacation getaway or a casual day around the house.

Come down to Red Whale Coffee to check out these brewing systems and our other pour over methods by Melitta and Hario! We are happy to answer any brewing questions that help you get the most out of each cup that you sip at home or in the office!!

Written by: Cailtyn Prien

 


Red Whale Coffee reflects on 2014 as it comes to a close... December 16, 2014

 

As 2014 winds to a close, Red Whale Coffee reflects on our growth, opportunities, and friendships that were realized this year. Red Whale Coffee is as much about the people as it is about the coffee; it wouldn’t be Red Whale without all of the wonderful people who contribute to our coffee community!

There are so many, but to thank you all would create a list lasting days, so we will keep it short and name just a few! Thank you all for supporting us and brightening us with your ways!

Special thanks to Steve and Andy who meet here to stay sane and connected during their work days,

Tom, Linda, Chuck, Debra and “Miguel the Mayor”,

Ben, who drives a big white truck,

Cheerful Larry and of course, Craig and all their friends from the County,

Ben, Adam, Angie and Shirley from Kaiser next door,

We can’t forget Mike, Peter and Dr. Matthew Egan,

Marci or Daphne

Great neighbors continue in Warm Things, California Printed of Marin, TLC and Graf!

All of our friends at the YWCA who give us reasons to smile with their every visit,

TRI Studio with Rick’s calm and chill demeanor, including all of the colorful people he brings in with him

Pelo and Star Academy; for all the coffee lovers that work there

Luke with his marketing team and Joe with his never-ending web development support….

Lillian, Sunshine Designs, Sammy Hagar and his guitarist, Vick too!

Where would we be without our coffee producers?

Remembering them for all their hard work in producing quality products, we are especially grateful to Yoddoi Thailand Coffee, Nayarita Coffee, Santa Felisa, and Elida Estate, to name just a few.

We are truly blessed and happy to have all of you as part of the Red Whale Coffee Family! We look forward to and can't wait to see what next year brings! THANK YOU!

 

Written by: Caitlyn Prien


12 Days of Red Whale Coffee Christmas! December 16, 2014

On the first day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
A Red Whale mug, full of coffee
 On the second day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee
 On the third day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Three fresh made pastries,
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee
 On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Four insulating travel mugs
Three fresh made pastries,
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee.
 On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Five glass Chemex,
Four insulating travel mugs,
Three fresh made pastries,
Two bags of beans
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee.
 On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Six Baratzas a'grinding
Five glass Chemex
Four insulating travel mugs,
Three fresh made pastries,
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee.
 On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Seven soft sweatshirts a'warming,
Six Baratzas a'grinding,
Five glass Chemex,
Four insulating travel mugs,
Three fresh made pastries
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee
 On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eight Melitta cones a'brewing,
Seven soft sweatshirts a'warming,
Six Baratzas a'grinding,
Five glass Chemex,
Four insulating travel mugs,
Three fresh made pastries,
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee
 On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Nine latte bowls brimming,
Eight Melitta cones a'brewing,
Seven soft sweatshirts a'warming,
Six Baratzas a'grinding,
Five glass Chemex,
Four insulating travel mugs,
Three fresh made pastries
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee
 On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Ten Red Whale hats a'capping
Nine latte bowls brimming,
Eight Melitta cones a'brewing,
Seven soft sweatshirts a'warming,
Six Baratzas a'grinding,
Five glass Chemex,
Four insulating travel mugs,
Three fresh made pastries
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee
 On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Eleven Aeropress pressing,
Ten Red Whale hats a'capping
Nine latte bowls brimming,
Eight Melitta cones a'brewing,
Seven soft sweatshirts a'warming,
Six Baratzas a'grinding,
Five glass Chemex,
Four insulating travel mugs,
Three fresh made pastries
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee
 On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Twelve Hario drippers dripping,
Eleven Aeropress pressing,
Ten Red Whale hats a'capping
Nine latte bowls brimming,
Eight Melitta cones a'brewing,
Seven soft sweatshirts a'warming,
Six Baratzas a'grinding,
Five glass Chemex,
Four insulating travel mugs,
Three fresh made pastries
Two bags of beans,
And a Red Whale mug, full of coffee
Happy Holidays from all of us at Red Whale Coffee!
Written by: Caitlyn Prien
 
 
 

Holiday Traditions in the Heart of Coffee Growing Regions! November 14, 2014

 

http://quotes.lol-rofl.com/christmas-coffee-art/

The holidays are approaching, with the hustle and bustle that coincides it’s easy to lose track of what goes on in the rest of the world.   Although there are no specific holiday rituals associated with the coffee communities where we get our beans, there are richly diverse cultures that celebrate the holidays in different ways.  As a fun perspective and to distract you from your impending holiday obligations, here are a few cultural holiday traditions from the countries where we source our coffee.

In Panama, Christmas is a favorite holiday.  There are many month long festivities, turning Christmas into a festival for the community rather than just a family oriented celebration.  Two weeks into December, a Christmas Parade takes over Panama City. The children from lower income families are invited into the middle of the festivities so that they can be embraced by the celebration. The costumes are elaborate, where women wear polleras, beautiful dresses, complimented with hairpieces (or tembleques) and other jewelry.  

http://www.theculturalvoyager.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Blue-Pollera.jpg

Other parts of the celebration include Christmas tree lightings on the beach followed later in the evening with boat parades featuring ships ornamented with Christmas lights and decorations. 

Las Posada is held the nine days leading up to Christmas.  Small neighborhoods host parties at their houses to replay the search Mary and Joseph went through to find shelter.  They parade around the neighborhood and at the final house they are welcomed and a party is held there.  On Christmas Eve at midnight, a beautiful fireworks display is set off to announce Christmas.  A nighttime feast commences with dancing and celebrating all throughout the streets of Panama City.

http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2010/dec10/christmas_lights_sm/christmas_lights_09.jpg

In Guatemala, holidays are celebrated frequently in small villages with fireworks, traditional dance, and El Boj, a potent drink made from sugar cane, also known as White Lightning.  Guatemala has a mixture of different cultural influences, from different regions, ethnic and cultural groups who all celebrate the holidays a little differently.  For instance, the Garifuna people from the eastern coast of Guatemala whose traditions are strongly influenced by Caribbean cultures; celebrate with a Guatemalan Carnival.  These unique carnivals are celebrated from Christmas until New Years and the Garifuna people lead the celebration with their dance and music.

Guatemalans participate in many other Holiday celebrations and they all have the native music, dance and traditional dress in common. While there are many kinds of traditional festivities around Christmas, there is a centralized celebration for New Year's Day.  It is tradition that on the first day of the year, Guatemalan people wear new clothes believing it will bring luck for the upcoming New Year.

Ethiopia celebrates a variety of different holidays; most of them are based on Christian or Muslim traditions.

http://theforsakenchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/horse-riding.jpg

Christmas is called Ledet, which is celebrated after fasting for 43 days during Advent, or Tsome Gahad.  Christmas is celebrated with a procession that starts at 6 AM and lasts until 9AM.  A Christmas Mass is held, and then the families come together to break the fast of Tsome Gahad. 

In bigger Ethiopian cities holiday celebrations consist of horse races and folk dances.  Often times, people come together to play a hockey like game called Yegena Chewata, played with a ball and stick.   As the legend goes, this game started when the shepherds hearing of the birth of Jesus, jumped about excitedly throwing objects into the air while batting them with sticks. This game is now widely played on Christmas.

These are just a few holiday traditions celebrated in the countries where we get our coffee. There are many diverse traditions, all as rich as our coffee from all around the world.   When setting up your holiday list, visit us online www.redwhalecoffee.com or stop by Red Whale Coffee in San Rafael, to pick up a bag to stuff in a stocking or to serve with friends and family!

Written by: Caitlyn Prien