Top Brew

76: Thanksgiving Coffee’s a Thing?

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 12:35:00 +0000

Gobble gobble! The guys discuss coffee traditions, seasonal roasts, Starbucks’ Thanksgiving and Fall blends, how commercialism in America ignores a perfectly good holiday, and offer first impressions of the — get this — a car espresso maker. Happy Turkey Day everyone!

Starbucks Thanksgiving Blend

ThanksgivingCoffee.com is a coffee roaster around since 1972!

How Starbucks’ Thanksgiving roast became a tradition

Lots of people don’t know about Fall Blend

Watch: Meet the man who makes Starbucks’ Thanksgiving Blend possible

The 12V portable espresso machine, Handpresso

75: It's a Happy New Year Trick

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 12:02:19 +0000

Joe and Eric are back in action to talk about LEGO coffeemakers, R2-D2 coffeemakers, Houndstooth coffee house in Austin, Texas, and more. Ask yourself the question: How often should everyone clean your coffee mug? The guys answer this and more on today’s episode.

Chemex coffeemakers

AeroPress coffeemaker

LEGO coffeemaker

Steampunk coffeemaker search on Pinterest

Butter beer from Harry Potter stories

Soylent

seanwes conference

Houndstooth Coffee

Why is carbonated water or club soda sometimes served with an espresso?

‘It's okay to never clean your coffee mug’ - NYMag

74: It’s Either Soylent or Lighter Fluid

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 19:44:56 +0000

Joe and Eric find the time to sit down over not one but two cups of coffee and a bottle of Soylent. Joe experimented on himself when Soylent was on sale. Thrasher coffee supplied several roasts for the guys to taste test, so they analyze two Ethiopians. Then, Joe and Eric highlight some of Alec Baldwin’s interview with Howard Schults, the CEO of Starbucks.

Soylent, a beverage we keep talking about that doesn’t contain coffee

Starbucks’ Howard Schultz Doesn't Sleep — But Don't Blame the Coffee

Video: Coffee Snobs — Funny or Die

73: Let it Sing

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:01:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss three things: Left Hand Brewing Company craft beer (our first “craft brew” tate test on the show), how genetics and caffeine influence our caffeine intake, and whether a taste test can prove that people prefer cheap coffee over gourmet coffee, like — ahem — Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. Listen, drink and enjoy!

Left Hand Brewing Co.

Milk Stout - Left Hand Brewing Co.

[Milk Stout Nitro - Left Hand Brewing Co.](Milk Stout - Left Hand Brewing Co. http://lefthandbrewing.com/beers/milk-stout-nitro/)

Study Suggests You Can Blame Your Coffee Habits On Your Parents

Coffee taste test finds 67% of people prefer the cheap stuff

72: The All-New Cold Brew Pouring iPhone

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:37:48 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss some naming conventions: why are we calling cold brew and iced coffee the same things? Speaking of which, iced coffee has taken a back seat to cold brew over 2016. And in other news, the world’s first cup of joe that’s 80 times stronger than the rest of them is available in Australia, and Coca Cola is getting into the bottled coffee business. Listen, drink and enjoy!

Iced coffee is taking a back seat to cold brew

World’s strongest coffee is here and it’s caffeine levels are scarily high

Previous discussion of pumpkin spice latte: episode #39: ‘There’s Chemicals in My Chemicals’

Coca-Cola is getting into the bottled coffee business

Thanks for listening!

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71: False Positive of Caffeine

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 14:29:00 +0000

Eric and Joe are back at their desks and this time sipping something from fresh coffee cups. They discuss Tim Hawkins’ complicated mug and the plain-jane white mug from Publix and why it’s special to Joe. Topics of the week: a green tea alternative to coffee that won’t leave you feeling the jitters, Soylent’s new Coffiest (?!) and a worthy mention of the book ‘The Supper of the Lamb’. Listen, drink and enjoy! Van Halen.

Tim Hawkins’ logo
Van Halen - Best band logos
Classic Thunderbird car logo
Tim Hawkins ‘complicated coffee’ mug
Article: If coffee makes you jittery, there’s a green alternative
Article: Coffiest, Soylent's New Coffee Shake, Is surprisingly almost good
Film: Soylent Green (1973)
Soylent: ‘Food, intelligently designed’
Coffiest: ‘A balanced breakfast and your morning cup of coffee’
Book: The Supper of the Lamb

Thanks for listening!
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70: Mosquitos with Skills

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 16:50:00 +0000

Eric and Joe answer a listener’s feedback about Stevia and artificial sweeteners, take apart new research that suggests used coffee grounds repel mosquitos, and discuss how much coffee they’re kids are allowed to drink.

Stevia: Maybe Not So Sweet (article)
About Stevia on Wikipedia
Why I Quit Stevia (article)
Wait a second. Can coffee grounds repel mosquitos? (article)
He burns coffee grounds in his backyard. The reason? Genius! (article & video)
When is it okay for kids to start drinking coffee? (article)
Why is it bad for children to drink coffee? (article)(take with a grain of salt)

Thanks for listening!
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69: Flavor Molecules

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 14:34:00 +0000

Joe realised that while he was warming up to cold brew that the rest of the world was as well. The guys discuss their growing appreciation for this beverage and how it’s popping up in grocery stores and coffee shops. There’s some unexpected benefits that cold brew has to offer, so you might want to make it at home.

Cold brew is not just for snobs anymore
Dunkin Donuts will started selling cold brew coffee next week

Thanks for listening!
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68: Power by Plants and Artificial Sweeteners

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 01:11:00 +0000

Cold brew is in season, and there’s a good chance that your local grocere is selling the products we discuss. Joe brewed his own with a French press. Together, the guys taste test Joe’s along with Stōk and Rebbl branded brews. Are you better off making your own? How hard is it to craft cold brew? Is it easier and affordable to buy it at the store? Answers to thease questions in today’s show.

Cold brew in review:
Stōk Cold-Brew
Rebbl’s Maca Cold-Brew
Starbucks’ shows off their cold brew
Chameleon Cold Brew: ‘Made for Makers’

Thanks for listening!
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67: Honey Doesn’t Roast Things

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 10:57:00 +0000

Joe and Eric explain why they missed an episode two weeks ago. On vacation at Saint Simons Island, Joe picked up some not-so good craft coffee. How do you know the good from the bad? Also, the guys chat about the Porlex JP-30 hand grinder, and the pros and cons of using this manual approach to your daily grind.

Saint Simons Island
Porlex JP-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder
That time we previously discussed hand grinders on the show, #46: ‘The Coffee Hand Grinder Workout’

Thanks for listening!
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66: Syringe for Elephants

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Fri, 27 May 2016 22:38:00 +0000

Joe and Eric discuss Joe’s visit at Counter Culture Coffee of Atlanta, and what a coffee tasting is like. Afterwards, they talk about the influence their coffee tastes have made on their peers; how friends and coworkers responded to craft coffee.

Coffee tasting related:
Counter Culture Coffee
CCC’s flavor wheel
New-and-improved SCAA flavor wheel
Watch: How to slurp coffee to taste it better
Watch more: Slurping at SCAA 2012

Related to the main discussion:

The ever dodgy Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker (we love)
Angels’ Cup: A Blind Coffee Tasting Club
Hario VDGN-02B V60 Glass Coffee Dripper
Lightsaber Reference: Think Geek
Article: A drinker versus an enthusiast

64: Part of a Balanced Breakfast

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Fri, 13 May 2016 10:46:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss JAB Holding Company taking ownership of Krispy Kreme, what a ‘balanced breakfast’ consists of, and review Joe’s new Baratza Encore conical burr grinder. How does it compare to the popular Bodum Bistro he used for the last two years? What does Eric think of the Baratza Virtuoso? Listen and find out.

Krispy Kreme is purchased by JAB

Highlight from the report: “JAB Holding Company subsidiary JAB Beech Inc. has announced the acquisition of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. for approximately $1.35 billion, an approximately 25 percent premium over the company’s closing share price on May 6. …Within the past four years, JAB or JAB Beech Inc. have acquired majority stakes in other major coffee brands including Peet’s Coffee & Tea (2012), Caribou Coffee (2012), Jacobs Douwe Egberts (2014) and Espresso House (2015). Under JAB’s ownership, Peet’s has since acquired the specialty coffee brands Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Intelligentsia Coffee.”

Dunkin’ Doughnuts’ glazed doughnut nutritional info

We find it interesting that, on the site, the menu puts hot beverages ahead of food, and bagels, cookies and danishes ahead of doughnuts.

Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed® Doughnut

Turns out, Krispy Kreme puts the doughnuts at the top of the site’s menu, and the glazed doughnuts is a registered product, with a picture and everything (Dunkin’ doesn’t have pictures of specific doughnuts on their menu).

Pepsi Throwback

This is a fun video review of the Pepsi Throwback product and a comparison with the regular beverage. (Like the JunkFoodTasterDotCom YouTube channel in general.)

Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder

Joe originally learned of the Bodum Bistro grinder from the great site Tools & Toys. This grinder is terrific for the starting coffee enthusiast’s kitchen, for for the advanced enthusiast that isn’t interested in experimenting with many coffee makers.

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder

This is the grinder that Joe just upgraded to. It’s larger than the Bodum Bistro, offers 40 degrees of coarse-to-fine grind settings, and a plastic reservoir.

Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Grinder

Eric is no stranger to this grinder. While it’s more elegant with the metal finishes, and the dial offers more precision in every grind, the end resulting grounds aren’t all that different from the Encore’s. However, if you want more sophistication and professional grade in your kitchen, go with the Virtuoso. It excels at elegance.

63: Ripe for the Hobbyists

Joseph Darnell — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 10:48:00 +0000

Steve Agocs turned coffee into a delicious hobby. At KCCoffeeGeek.com, he reviews many of the latest specialty coffees. Steve shares his brewing ritual, describes his tools, and sheds light on his approach to the world’s favorite beverage.

Steve Agocs on Twitter (@kccoffeegeek)
KC Coffee Geek’s site
KCCoffeeGeek on Instagram

Drinks, Makers & Mugs

Cuban coffee (CAFECITO)
Cuban espresso
Bialetti Moka Express Made in Italy 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker
Robusta coffee (bitter/sweet)
GINO Pour-Over Coffee Dripper
Aeropress coffee and ‘espresso’ maker
Gaggia Milano espresso makers
Kalita Wave coffee dripper
Rancilio HSD-ROC-SD Rocky Coffee Grinder
Steve’s LINO Coffee mug
Joe’s Star Wars ‘A New Hope’ mug
Random Star Wars storm trooper mug

Coffee in Kansas City

Novel Coffee Roasters
Oddly Correct Coffee Roasters
Broadway Roasting Company

Steve’s brewing methods
Stacy’s Coffee blog
SCAA training
Perc Coffee in Savannah, GA

62: Add Its Voice to the Symphony

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:46:00 +0000

This week on the show, Eric and I discuss ‘The South - Home of Many a Great Soft Drink Company’. We also talked about white vs. green tea and taste test Counter Culture Coffee’s specialty grade Justina Ramos Bolivian coffee. Also, we want to give a huge shout out to Condesa Coffee. Thanks for the great coffeehouse experience!

Soft drinks are largely a southern creation. Listener David Biddex sheds light on the roots of Pepsi, Cheerwine and other soft drinks.
Processing tea (or coffee) turns out a wide variety of rich flavors, which is why processing (tea leaves or coffee beans) is perhaps the most essential point of a beverage product’s creation.
Joe discovered and enjoyed the Candesa Coffee shop in downtown Atlanta. It’s a great specialty coffee house you should check out when you’re in the area. Bags of whole bean Counter Culture Coffee are available there.
Speaking of which, we reviewed a home-brewed cup of Justina Ramos from Counter Culture Coffee. **This is a ## Pepsi and Many Other Southern Soft Drinks

Listener David Biddex wrote in to make the following points in response to our comments regarding Pepsi in Episode 61:

Pepsi is now based in Purchase, New York, but it was invented in New Bern, North Carolina, by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in 1893. (Joe accidentally called him “Brahnam” on the show, sorry!)
Mountain Dew originated in Johnson City and Knoxville, Tennessee, and was originally invented as a mixer for whiskey (must must investigate).
Cheerwine and Sun Drop also call North Carolina home (Salisbury, NC)
The South is the origin of many other soft drinks over the years.

While we’re talking about soft drinks, Eric shares a little about his favorite, Moxie, and Joe describes the soda his grandfather invented, Trumanade. The combination of Mountain Dew and whiskey reminded Eric that, back in the day, he drank shots of tequila with Wink Soda (a primarily grapefruit beverage). Pour some tequila, add some Wink, slam the glass on the table and the drink would transform into a tasty foam.

Moxie’s flavor profile is unusual compared to many other caramel-colored soft drinks in the United States. A little about the beverage from Wikipedia:

Moxie’s flavor is unique, as it is not as sweet as most modern soft drinks and is described by some as bitter. Moxie is flavored with gentian root extract, an extremely bitter substance which was reputed to possess medicinal properties. It originated around 1876 as a patent medicine called “Moxie Nerve Food”.

Eric agrees that it’s on the bitter side, and it’s refreshing to find a tasteful soda that’s light on sugar. Like many other small soft drink companies of its ilk in the U.S., Moxie doesn’t fight to keep up with the times; it feels like a product of another era that survives today.

Joe’s grandparents on his mother’s side were from North Carolina. Each visit to Greensboro, Joe and his siblings would enjoy Cheerwine. Oddly, this beverage wasn’t sold outside of the Carolinas till recent years. Along with expanding the company, the original recipe was updated with high fructose corn syrup in the place of regular white sugar. Joe is very partial to the sugar-flavored type, which can still be found in glass bottles.

Trumanade is the now the all but forgotten concoction Joe’s grandfather made. Once upon a time, Truman Darnell came into possession of lots of sugar for some work he’d done (instead of cash, sugar was exchanged for his labor). Truman used the sugar to create Trumanade, a lemonade-inspired carbonated beverage. When the sugar was all gone the beverage was discontinued.

No one in the family saved a sample of the product, but family recalls that it was quite good. About 1,000-2,000 bottles were made and sold in Georgia.

Adventures in Tea

Thanks to connections in the meatspace, Eric and his wife took a tour of Connie’s Zen Tea facility. Much like the world of coffee, craft tea is a delight for enthusiasts to explore. There’s literally hundreds of flavors to brew from because just a few leaves are processed countless ways to yield different flavors.

Eric discovered that he enjoys white tea a little more than green tea. Between the two, white tea tastes less like grass.

In his home brewing routine, Eric makes space between cups of coffee to have a tea with his wife in the evening. Tea’s caffeine levels can be as significant as coffee’s, but another element of tea produces a calming effect that counter balances the energy boost.

eZenTea.com is the online home of Connie’s tea house that Eric toured. Check them out. If you order from their selection, please let them know that we sent you.

Another tea company Joe is familiar with is Teavana, a franchise of tea shops often found in shopping malls across America. They’re pricey, but if you want a tea beverage to go, they’re drinks are comparable to Starbucks’ specialty prices. Go in and ask a specialists to introduce you to their selections, and be sure to enjoy the free aroma. You’ll thank us later!

Another Great Coffee House in Downtown Atlanta

When in downtown near Georgia Tech, be sure to stop and enjoy the Condesa Coffee shop. Joe was in town for a conference at the Loudermilk Center a block away from the coffee house. It was well-worth the coffee run to get Joe and his friends freshly roasted/brewed pour-over, drip and hot chocolate beverages.

One of the best things that money can buy at a specialty coffee shop is a bag of freshly roasted beans. Condesa takes advantage of the local Counter Culture Coffee company (CCC), a wholesale business that roasts and ships from Atlanta. We’ve mentioned before that we’re super fans of CCC, so Joe was quick to buy whatever beans CCC stocks at Condesa. On April 13, he purchased a 12 oz. box of Justina Ramos, a Bolivian single-farmer lot. It was roasted April 11.

Taste Test of Counter Culture’s Bolivian Coffee

Eric and I agree that the Counter Culture Coffee Justina Ramos’ packaging stands out. The beans come inside a clear valve-breathing plastic bag inside of a simple cardboard box. The box gives the product a lot of its character. Eric noted that on the shelf it looks like a small box of cereal.

But it doesn’t have the tacky branding and marketing design of your average box of Kellogg’s. The Justina Ramos’ packaging is so good, in fact, that I (Joe) could imagine why some coffee enthusiasts would like to collect Counter Culture boxes for display. Justina Ramos’ is colorful. It sports a blue top, red and mediterranean blue label that wraps the front and right side, an elegant off-white background pattern covering four sides, the logo cleverly mirrored on the back, red on the interior… If you don’t have an air-sealed container for your beans, this package will at least look fabulous with the rest of your coffee gear.

Counter Culture’s cupping notes on the box for the Justina Ramos:

Justina Ramos continues to produce one of our best Bolivian coffees on her nearly 6-hectare farm growing primarily Typica variety plants. A member of the Cenaproc cooperative in the community of Nueva Liusta, Ramos meticulously manages production—from the picking of coffee cherries to the creation of this spectacular lot. We’re fortunate to share Justina’s coffee again and celebrate our continued partnership. Look for flavors of pear, green apple, and almond.
Variety: Typica & Catura
Elevation: 1,720 meters
Post-harvest process: Fermented for 18-22 hours and then washed
Drying: Dried on raised beds
Harvest time: June-October 2015

I noticed that Justina Ramos tastes a little better as a pour-over in a Kalita Wave than as an inverted AeroPress brew. Eric doesn’t pick up the pear flavor, but he did catch green apple and butterscotch-like sweetness throughout his cup.

We give Counter Culture’s Justina Ramos a hearty thumbs up.

61: Don’t Flush Out Your Lightbulbs

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 21:53:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss why coffee sometimes upsets your stomach and what you can do to prevent it. Afterward, we review all-American gas station coffee from the local RaceTrac (which might upset your stomach for altogether different reasons.

Many people concerned about their health are wary of coffee. They complain that they experience headaches, the jitters, muscle tension and upset stomach. We’ve previously discussed the side effects of caffeine and the impact coffee’s other ingredients make on your heart and blood, but we haven’t addressed the upset stomach issue.

All of these ailments can happen for different reasons and most have been well-researched. Monica Reinagel, known as the Nutrition Diva of the ‘Quick and Dirty Tips’, investigated the stomach ache concern, found why it’s happening in the first place (it’s not what you think) and offered some helpful ways that you can enjoy coffee without the side effects.

In today’s show, we look through the points that Monica makes in her article and add our colorful commentary. Enjoy!

Let’s stop listening to misinformation

Before we get to the scientific results found concerning the stomach problems, let’s clear the air of hearsay. A lot of people spread the word that X is not healthy without having scientific evidence to support their assumptions.

We’re talking about the acid in coffee today. ‘Everyone knows that coffee has a lot of acid that can harm you’. Do we, though?

The fact of the matter is, everyone says that coffee has a lot of acid and that it causes health problems. Even your taxi driver can offer advice like ‘Stay off of caffeine and coffee because it’ll eat a hole in your brain and your stomach’.

We strongly encourage you to not take hearsay advice. When everyone’s saying something, but no one knows the scientific evidence to support the claim, you would be better off to question what people are saying. ‘Coffee will upset your stomach because it has harmful acids’ is such a statement that gets around that no one has support for.

The fact of the matter is that coffee doesn’t directly cause a stomachache because of high amounts of coffee-related acids, and we know this from scientifically accurate research available today.

There are many other examples of such hearsay concerns, like…

Are we drinking too much water?

Nobody really knows, eh? I mean, there was that guy that once warned Joe that ‘You can drink too much water and flush out your lightbulbs’. That sounds really bad, doesn’t it?

The truth is that you should drink enough water to be hydrated and stop, right? Some doctors recommend more, some recommend less. No one recommends abstaining from water, and no one recommends that you abstain from water when you’re thirsty. Drink enough that you’re not feeling faint or disoriented. Drink enough that you aren’t taking too many trips to the restroom, but you’re at least making a few trips to the restroom each day.

Point is: Some people need more water and some need less. Our children don’t warrant drinking two liters of fluids a day, but we grown-ups do. It’s a matter of how much will it take to survive and improve the quality of my life? When you’ve reached the point that you’re not pale from dehydration, you’re probably all set.

And we really want to know: What are our lightbulbs and how can we prevent flushing them out???

Do we need to worry about molds and pesticides?

There’ been scares for what happens to coffee beans on the plants, what happens to them on the farm during processing, and so forth. We used to think that you had to be careful of pesticides, molds and other contaminants.

The truth is that during roasting most of the cruft that can be in or on the beans is baked off into a vapor. “They’re subjected to an insane amount of heat,” Eric explains. You needn't worry about molds surviving the cooking (roasting) process. Pesticides become inert or vaporize as well.

Are we saying it’s healthy to consume whatever else is left in the beans? No, but what we are saying is that toxins and germs and molds and the like (all harmul somehow) are in trace amounts in the air, water and other consumables that you’re exposed to every day. There’s not more of them in your coffee than in your eggs you had for breakfast, or in the water you drank yesterday at the office.

Contamenants in some amount are regularly making their way into your bloodstream no matter what you do. What are you going to do about it? We suggest that you keep drinking coffee in spite of pesticides or molds that might be present. And we also suggest you keep breathing the polluted air, because there isn’t any air that doesn’t have some trace amount of something bad for you to breath in it.

Do we need to worry about caffeine overdose?

Many people think that you can consume so much caffeine that it will cause permanent damage to their organs, but this is not really the case.

Again, this comes up because of hearsay. People hear that caffeine is bad for them from their parents when they’re young. Of course your parents told you not to drink coffee then because they wanted you to get some sleep at night before school the next day. They told you that too much caffeine was bad for you, and you figured that they had medical reasons for using caffeine in moderation.

Since then, you grew up thinking that this was scientifically supported, that it’s possible to consume enough caffeine that it can handicap or kill people.

Yet, Science has proven that it would take more caffeine than you’re physically capable of maintaining in your bloodstream to cause irreparable damage. You’ll pee most of it before your biologically screwed up.

Isn’t coffee acid irritating my stomach?

We recommend that you read Monica’s article for a detailed explanation. To sum up, coffee acids will not hurt you or upset your stomach anymore than other fruits and vegetables.

Coffee usually grows in a warm tropic environment. It has a similar pH level to carrots and bananas. The worst coffee beans have a pH level of 4.7, which is the same as most bananas. Are you worried about the acid in bananas hurting your stomach? Probably not.

For a quick high school chemistry review, Eric says that, if his memory serves him, 7.0 is about the median of pH levels. The lower the number the higher the acid. A level of 1.0 would be very high.

When coffee upsets your stomach, it’s not that there’s a high level of harmful acids in the beverage that cause stomachache.

Gastric Acid versus Chlorogenic Acid

Gastric acid is the stuff your stomach produces all on its own. It’s an essential part of digestion. When chlorogenic acids in your food and beverages are mixed with gastric acid, you experience a mild upset stomach which may lead to heartburn. The more the gastric acid is bonding to the chlorogenic acid from your beverages, the more upset you’ll feel.

NMP is an ingredient in coffee that can satiate the acids warring in your tummy. The more of it in the beans, the less irritated the digestion process will be. This is why some coffee will upset you more than others. The beans aren’t all the same, and many of them have enough NMP to keep your stomach comfortable.

Sadly, most coffee products don’t identify how much chlorogenic acid or NMP they have, so you’ll have to find alternative ways to dampen the problems your stomach juices are causing.

Darker roasts help

Medium roasted coffee has more of the chlorogenic acid than darker roasts. Roasting beans burns down all of the makeup of a coffee bean. This is a good thing because along the way the beans’ molecular order shifts around. This produces their rich roated flavors. Without roasting, coffee beans taste very bland.

Roasting accentuates all flavors, including citric kinds. The flavor of acidity has little to do with the actual acid in the beans, but what’s subduing the citric flavor in darker roasts is also reducing the chlorogenic acid. Less chlorogenic acid means less gastric acid irritation.

Lactose helps

When in the Navy, Eric found that he was getting upset stomach. He attributed it to his coffee intake. Rather than drink less coffee, he chose to add milk to see if it would help settle his stomach. It took several days of new coffee with milk, but eventually his stomach stabalized.

Proteins found in dairy products bind with chlorogenic acid. When this happens, it’s not possible for gastric acids to negatively react to coffee’s acid. Your stomach remains settled and the coffee won’t give you heartburn.

But in general, Eric was drinking too much coffee in the Navy. Like most officers do, with their arms frozen in The Coffee Mug By My Side position.

Cold brewing helps

Tis the season to drink coldbrew, and it will help your upset stomach. Coldbrew is a mild brew method. There isn’t as much extraction from the beans.

This makes the coffee smoother, less acidic and less apt to upset your tummy. Use darker roasts with a coldbrew method and you’ll be set. Or to make the coffee even less acidic, add some cream and there’ll be next-to-no acid left to agitate your stomach.

Rabbit trail: Pepsi isn’t a ‘Southern Tradition’

Eric recently saw a banner ad for Pepsi claiming to be a southern thing. Sorry, Pepsi Cola Co., but none of us here in Georgia believe you.

Maybe you’ve fooled people that moved to Atlanta from New York in the last 20 years, but native Southerners know that Coca-Cola is headquartered in Atlanta and has been the backbone of the South for more than 100 years. And the Carolinas are known for Cheerwine.

That said, Pepsi is proudly promoted on the side of Marietta’s landmark that KFC calls The Big Chicken. It always struck us as odd that ‘Pepsi’ was written on the chicken.

Another Rabbit trail: What’s a Wordle?

A wordle is a collection of words that together describe a topic, business, or cultural trend. They’re stacked in horizontal and vertical and diagonal ways, mixing up fonts and colors to make them look busier or more sophisticated, depending on the intent. Presenters often use wordles for word association.

And you can easily create your own at Wordle.com.

Gas Station Coffee

Thrasher Coffee is sponsoring our review of several coffees from around the world. So far, we’ve taste tested beverages from restaurants, online subscriptions, and this week, we’re adding local gas station’s to the lineup. Uh, thanks a lot, Thrasher, we guess.

RaceTrac’s Regular and Columbian (Bleh!)

We have with us a cup of regular and a cup of Columbian brewed coffee from the local RaceTrac. Both were fresh, as they like to point out all over their cups (the wordles say so). We left our coffees black for the purposes of our taste test.

Like any gas station coffee in the United States, these drinks aim to be the most convenient coffee around. They’ll never be great coffee beverages, but what they are is available any time at any place. The electric drip brew is easy to make for gas station attendance, cost them chump change to keep well-supplied, and they have a huge markup value.

When we picked up RaceTrac coffee, there were six roasts ‘freshly’ brewed for the choosing. This is considerably more roasts at the ready for customers than you will find at your local coffeehouse.

They supply all the accouterments that come standard at a gas station. You can grab artificial sweeteners, sugar, so-called cream, flavored cream, et cetera. Hey, Krispy Kreme donuts are in the cabinet next to the coffee. If that’s not convenient, what is?

Of course, the coffee there tastes poorly. Neither of us drank more than four swallows of our cups. They didn’t smell right either. Stale bread crumbs from a dirty countertop came to Joe’s mind as he took his first sip. Eric likened the aroma to dirty socks.

But gas station coffee serves its purpose in America. There are many of us that don’t have the time or budget for fussier coffee from Starbucks, let alone a Keurig or a craft coffee maker like a French press. Many people are getting up at 4 AM and have a long drive ahead of them to work, with a routine of stopping at the gas station along the way.

Their quick-and-dirty solution to coffee meets a real need for many people with an on-the-go lifestyle. If you care about convenience, then they have the caffeine kick to boot.

The Difference Between Fast and Craft Goods

Eric points out that this is a product that is made for a specific type of customer and coffee drinker. No one coffee product is the solution for them all.

Just as it is for the beer market, you have cheap and convenient drinks for the masses and you have fussy craft drinks for a few. The majority of people don’t appreciate finely-tuned high-quality goods, like craft beer.

To those people that do appreciate the good stuff, it’s really difficult for them to understand the people who don’t. Who wouldn’t want something that tastes great?

And for people who don’t like beverages that cost an arm and a leg, they look at those who do and shake their heads and despise the idea of handcrafted drinks. What they see is needless toil and extra care and added expense for something that they simply don’t understand or taste in the cup.

What they want is what they’ve grown up with, what their parents drink, and what’s familiar to them. Gas station beverages are the most readily available and affordable coffee around, like the bag of pre-ground Community Coffee at your local quick mart or super store. It’s as American as ballpark hotdogs. People highly value convenient coffee. “What was good enough for Grandpappy is good enough for me!”

But nostalgia will not be enough to keep people hooked on convenience forever. Joe remembers that in his childhood, he often had coffees from gas stations when he’d go out late to work with his dad. No amount of fond memories or familiarity with gas station beverages will keep Joe’s loyalty today.

Every year that goes by, more people take notice of the craft coffee movement. People can tell subtly that there’s something qualitatively unique and appealing. Quick and convenient coffee drinkers may not switch from RaceTrac to Blue Bottle, but they’ll probably start to appreciate the coffee that’s a little better.

Even K-cup coffee, over gas station coffee, is a huge leap of progress for some coffee drinkers in America today.

60: Hidden Meaning in Every Mug

Joseph Darnell — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 16:01:00 +0000

Joe is joined by our special guest, Aaron Dowd, known as ‘The Podcast Dude’ of the Seanwes Network. Aaron recently adopted the AeroPress, but it’s probably not what you're thinking. He uses a blender for mixing in butter and milk, 8 O'Clock coffee beans, and drinks 5+ cups a day. We debate low-cost beans, French press versus AeroPress, additives that can make you crash, the dangers of cold brew and much more.

Aaron Dowd on Twitter (@thepodcastdude)
The Podcast Dude site/page
Aaron works for Sean McCabe
The ever versatile AeroPress coffee maker
A handy SterlingPro French press
Marco Arment reference
Classic 6-cup Chemex
Starbucks Latte beverages
Angel’s Cup
Espresso machines (“I found it on eBay!”)
Shure SM7B Dynamic Vocal Microphone
Self Journal - Structure for Success
Self Journal (a Kickstarter campaign)
Circle Conference (Aaron’s mug reference)

***

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@jcsdarnell

59: Coffee and Computers

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:29:00 +0000

What's lost on a generation that grows up with Keurig coffee? How do Starbucks professionals perform cupping at headquarters? What's in a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee?

What's lost on a generation that grows up with Keurig coffee? How do Starbucks professionals perform cupping at headquarters? What's in a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee?

In this episode, we contrast home-ground coffee with k-cups and highlight the practical benefits of hand-ground beans. We analyze a Starbucks video where a journalist is given a taste of the cupping process. And for a little cupping of our own, we drink a home-prepared cup of Dunkin Donuts. You better appreciated this!

Show Notes:

A generation that never grinds?
Keurig Coffee Company
About Keurig Coffee Company
AppleAndCoffee on Instagram
Cupping at Starbuck
World of Coke in Atlanta
Cupping Dunkin Donuts (our taste test)

Top Brew, Episode 59: Coffee and Computers

58: What Happens in Oz

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 02:54:00 +0000

The guys go back to first things: their very own brewing rituals. Joe likes AeroPress, Eric likes Hario V60. And between the two, there’s a dozen other tools they use to perfect their handmade beverages each day. Learn all about their fussy — and sometimes not-so fussy — coffee setups.

Show Notes:

Book: Predictably Irrational
Cost Plus World Market Tea Storage Tins
A decent kitchen weight scale
Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder
Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Grinder
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
AeroPress coffee maker kit
Hario VDC-02W V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper
Kalita Wave Dripper 185
Kalita Wave Series 500 server
SterlingPro French Coffee Press —8 Cup/4 Mug
Fino Pour Over Coffee and Tea Kettle
Bonavita Variable Temperature Digital Electric Gooseneck Kettle

57: Pursue Your Coffee Passion

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 18:56:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss Eric’s huge career change, discovering your coffee passion later in life, Eric’s new 1,000 lb. coffee roaster, and where to setup a roasting facility.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted, small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Use TOPBREW to receive 25% off of your first coffee purchase to let them know that Eric and Joe sent you and support the podcast!

Show Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee, where Eric got started professionally
Coffee roasts at Thrasher that Eric created
Warby Parker (glasses)

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56: Invited to the Wedding

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 19:16:00 +0000

Joe welcomes our special guest, JT Manning from Moscow, Idaho, a former Starbucks’ barista. JT shares details about work life behind the counter, learning about craft coffee, the makeup of his home brewing ritual, and his general opinion of the Starbucks’ barista work experience.

Show Notes & Links

JT Manning on Twitter (@_JonTM)

Working at Starbucks

Starbucks’ reserve roastery site

Starbucks’ coffee tasting guide (PDF)

Chick-fil-A
Building a Future with Farmers: Committed to 100% Ethically Sourced

Classic Chai Tea Latte

How Does Starbucks Rate?

The Simplest of Tasty Cold Brew Coffee Recipes

Recommendable Bodum pour over coffee maker

Melitta ‘Ready Set Joe’ Single Cup Pour Over Maker

Aerobie AeroPress Coffee Maker with Tote Bag

SterlingPro French Coffee Press --8 Cup/4 Mug

Bonavita 1-Liter Variable Temperature Digital Electric Gooseneck Kettle

Landgrove Coffee Roaster (ID)

55: The World of a Cup of Joe Quiz

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 18:11:00 +0000

Eric and Joe give themselves an NPR coffee quiz to test their coffee culture knowledge base. Adn in review, the guys taste test Madcap’s Galeras coffee, freshly roasted for the show.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted, small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Use MADCAP to receive 25% off of your first coffee purchase to let them know that Eric and Joe sent you and support the podcast!

Show Notes & Links

Follow along in NPR’s coffee quiz:

1. Who drinks the most coffee?
A. Finland
B. Italy
C. Peru

2. Which of these is a macchiato?
A. One shot of espresso, a quarter of steamed milk, and milk foam on top
B. One shot of espresso, filled with hot water
C. One shot of espresso, one quarter of milk foam

3. Where did coffee originate?
A. Ethiopia
B. Brazil
C. Indonesia

4. Which of these is the coffee plant?
A. A branch of a tree is pictured with what looks like tear-shaped green leaves and plump tomato-shaped read berries on the stem
B. A branch of a tree is pictured with grape-shaped berries on the stem with some of them red and many other berries lime green in color
C. A branch of a tree is pictured with large, floppy green leaves and some suspicious-looking winter blue-colored berries hanging off of a group of stems

5. Which country comes SECOND to Brazil as the world's largest coffee producer?
A. Vietnam
B. India
C. Columbia

6. Who first told North America about coffee?
A. William Penn
B. John Smith
C. Christopher Columbus

7. Which will give you the biggest shot of caffeine?
A. Arabica beans
B. Robusta beans
C. Yerba mate tea

8. Which of these machines would you NOT use to make coffee?
A. An hourglass-shaped glass with a wood collar tied together with a leather strap
B. What looks like a boiling beaker held at the neck by a metal arm atop of the counter, the bottom of the glass is round and the top is cylindrical
C. A glass beaker with a long-necked glass tube with metal and rubber coils (looks rather ugly)

[You're just going to need to see the pics in the NPR site’s page!]

9. What's the origin of "Mocha" coffee?
A. Arabic word for chocolate
B. Yemeni Port City
C. Island Off South America

10. Who brought coffee to Java?
A. Dutch East India Company
B. Marco Polo
C. Muslim traders

In review:
Our coffee tasting of Madcap’s Galeras medium roast

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54: These Seeds Make Things Grow

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 02:17:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss the 1,000 plus chemicals that make up a coffee beverage, and review McDonald’s McCafé regular coffee.

Sponsored By

Show Notes & Links

Ars Technica:
The Science Behind a Good Cup of Coffee

McCafé coffee:
McDonald’s regular McCafé coffee
Starbucks vs. McCafé beverages

McD’s Alternatives:
‘Starbuck’s Blonde Roast isn’t actually a blonde roast’

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53: Where Are My Pants?

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:41:00 +0000

Eric and Joe tackle three important topics: the secret origins of Mama Darnell’s banana pudding, balancing Joe’s caffeine headaches with sleep deprivation, and review of Chick-fil-A’s regular cup of joe.

Eric and Joe tackle three important topics: the secret origin of Mama Darnell’s banana pudding, balancing Joe’s caffeine headaches with sleep deprivation, and review of Chick-fil-A’s regular cup of joe.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted, small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Use EATMORCHIKEN to receive 25% off of your first coffee purchase to let them know that Eric and Joe sent you and support the podcast!

Show Notes & Links

Banana pudding follow-up:
Original Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding
DON’T look at Pinterest for banana pudding stuff (for the love of everything that’s holy!)

Movie/TV references:
J.J. Abrams’ ‘Alias’ (love is the greatest or whatever)
‘LEGO Movie’, Where Are My Pants

Chick-fil-A coffee:
Description and nutritional details
Picture of the standard cup
Thrive Farmers
Coffee With a Story

Future sponsors (wink-wink, nudge-nudge):
Good Works, Nilla Wafers by Mondelēz Global LLC
Goodies Extra Strength Headache Powder

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52: The Coffee Kiosk in the Basement

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:58:00 +0000

Eric and Joe answer a listener message for how to roast coffee beans at home on the cheap with a popcorn popper, Joe describes the coffee situation at the county courthouse, and they share their general impressions of the reknown moka pot coffee maker (which is often mistakenly called an espresso maker).

Eric and Joe answer a listener message for how to roast coffee beans at home on the cheap with a popcorn popper, Joe describes the coffee situation at the county courthouse, and they share their general impressions of the renown moka pot coffee maker (which is often mistakenly called an espresso maker).

Sponsored By

Show Notes & Links

State Court of Cobb County (where Joe was on jury)

Sweet Maria’s Guide to Roasting: Popcorn Popper (how-to article)

Sweet Maria’s YouTube video

Sweet Maria’s stovetop ‘Whirley Pop’ coffee roasting

Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper

Joe’s popper: West Bend 82418R Air Crazy Hot Air Popcorn Popper

Wikipedia: Moka pot

Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Coffee Maker

Home Coffee Roasting, by Kenneth Davids

Bru Coffee Manually guide

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(Eric doesn’t make time for social networks, sorry!)

51: The Force That Awakens

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 17:44:00 +0000

Eric and Joe answer listeners messages, involving burr grinders, the Chemex coffee maker, and banana pudding. Then, in discussion, the guys share their first impressions of Starbucks’ all-new piping-hot Latte Macchiato. “It’s a latte made using ‘the inverted method’.”

Eric and Joe answer listeners’ messages involving burr grinders, the Chemex coffee maker and banana pudding. Then, in discussion, the guys share their first impressions of Starbucks’ all-new piping-hot Latte Macchiato. “It’s a latte made using ‘the inverted method’.”

Sponsored By

Show Notes & Links

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Top Brew article: First Step to a Delicious Cup

Chemex 6-Cup Classic Series Glass Coffee Maker

Hario’s Chemex alternative: The VDD-02B V60 Drip Decanter

Hario VDC-02W V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper

Hario’s Red V60 Coffee Server Set

Episode #7: The Modern Art Seal of Approval

Today.com: Meet Starbucks' newest drink, the hybrid latte macchiato

Starbucks Coffee Company: Latte Macchiato

50: The Face Buzzing Effect

Joseph Darnell — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 11:51:00 +0000

For episode #50, Joe is joined by special guest Myke Hurley of the Relay.FM podcast network. They discuss how Myke, a British chap that prefers craft coffee over hot tea, enjoys his fussy coffee brew ritual. They also talk about how they started drinking coffee thanks to sweet beverages at Starbucks, how caffeine affects them, and where they get their fresh coffee beans in the United States and back home in England.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Delicious small-batch roasts shipped to your doorstep. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Joe’s doodle for Myke as ‘thanks’ for making a guest appearance on the podcast

Show Notes & Links

@iMyke

Relay FM

The Pen Addict podcast

Myke’s choice: Starbucks’ Caramel Frappuccino

Joe’s choice: Starbucks’ White Chocolate Mocha

AeroPress coffee maker

AeroPress inverted brewing method

Myke’s craft roaster, Pact Coffee

Marco Arment’s coffee brewing ritual

Blue Bottle Coffee, America

Nude Coffee Roasters, England

Christopher Hitchens: ‘How To Make a Decent Cup of Tea’

Hario white ceramic v60 coffee dripper

Federico Viticci and the guys discuss Up app by Jawbone on Connected #2

Federico goes into detail about Up by Jawbone and other health related iOS topics

Top Brew article: ‘How to Take Control of Caffeine’

Myke Instagramed his coffee mug

49: Put That in Your Productivity Pipe

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 18:38:00 +0000

Joe and Eric discuss the worldwide coffee shortage, coffeeshop productivity, Bodum’s awesome commercial, and the first complete year of Top Brew.

Joe and Eric discuss the worldwide coffee shortage, coffeeshop productivity, Bodum’s awesome commercial, and the first complete year of Top Brew. As the green coffee bean capital of the world, Brazil is a little short. A productivity enthusiast challenges professionals to get their work done away from the coffee counter. Sandwich Video produced an awesome Bodum promo video. And the guy’s give you their candid evaluation of their own show.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Delicious small-batch roasts shipped to your doorstep. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

As reported by various sources, there’s going to be a coffee shortage

Does coffee kill your productivity?

Sandwich Video’s Bodum coffee lifestyle commercial

SCAA, Specialty Coffee Association of America

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48: Coffee in the Garden of Eden

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 21:34:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss French presses, what makes them special, why we use them, and why you may want to up your coffee brewing game with one. We consider the coarseness of the grind, water temperature and more in our subjective examination.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Charles Dicken’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

Washington Irving’s ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’

About the French Press

When Top Brew reviewed the French Press, #13: The Dark Elixir of the Gods

Thrasher Coffee’s French Press recipe

Bodum Chambord 8 cup French Press Coffee Maker

Bodum Brazil 3 cup French Press Coffee Maker

Bodum Insulated Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Coffee and Tea Mug

KRUPS GX5000 Professional Electric Coffee Burr Grinder

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47: GLaDOS Coffee is a Lie Too

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 20:39:00 +0000

Is there a tangible difference in craft coffee and what people typically call commodity coffee? Joe and Eric cypher the what’s noticeably different from the roaster’s and enthusiast’s perspectives, because you shouldn’t believe everything written on a bag of GlaDOS’ coffee. Commodity and craft coffee look the same in your cup, but came about completely differently. At the end of the show, the guys recommend some craft roasters that you should check out.

Is there a tangible difference in craft coffee and what people typically call commodity coffee? Joe and Eric cypher what’s noticeably different from the roaster’s and enthusiast’s perspectives, because you shouldn’t believe everything written on a bag of GLaDOS’ coffee. Commodity and craft coffee look the same in your cup, but came about completely differently. At the end of the show, the guys recommend some craft roasters that you should check out.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

With Amazon Prime, you can play ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ for free.

In a really good opinion piece, Nick Brown argues that ‘manual craftsmanship’ is key to craft coffee.

The craft coffee trend is pricey, but farmers and roasters aren't getting rich quick.

For a lot of people, when you say “commodity” they’re thinking of investments. Coffee is such a product, millions of cups consumed a year, that people invest in coffee. This is the origin of the bland coffee that we speak of.

The sort of description you typically see on a package of commodity coffee “Premium…Select…Finest” reminds Joe of GLaDOS’ lie that there is cake.

Craft coffee roasters online to check out:
   - Craft Coffee
   - MistoBox
   - MadCap Coffee
   - Railway Coffee
   - Ruby Coffee Roasters
   - Thrasher Coffee
   - PT’s Coffee
   - Blue Bottle Coffee
   - Grumpy Coffee Roasters

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46: The Coffee Hand Grinder Workout

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 19:33:00 +0000

Hand grinders are often preferred over powerful electric countertop grinders, but why? Joe and Eric uncover the usefulness of their portability, durability, and other reasons you might want to add a manual grinder to your kitchen. And Joe makes shopping recommendations for those in the market for such a coffee accessory.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW. Hurry now to try the Thrasher Christmas Blend over the holidays!

Show Notes & Links

The movie ‘Elf’ (2003) starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel

A typical Mr. Coffee blade grinder at Wal-Mart

TechTonic, Joe’s other podcast with Joshua Peiffer

Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill

Watch: Joshua grind with a Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill and power drill

Hario Coffee Mill Slim Grinder, Mini

Hario Mini Mill review by CoffeeBrewGuides.com

Kuissential’s EvenGrind coffee grinder (coming soon)

EvenGrind recommended by Coffee Brew Guides

Handground precision grinder (the elegant one)(coming soon)

Tools & Toys grinder recommendations

Our Pick: Porlex JP-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

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45: Why We Don’t Brew Appleseeds

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 21:55:00 +0000

Eric and Joe introduce the new coffee beverage, Cascara, which is brewed with the coffee fruit’s pulpy cherry, and they help perfectionistic coffee enthusiasts take control of their angsty coffee brewing ritual. Whether you’re making tea-like coffee, or seeking nirvana in every cup, the guys have thoughts for you.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Cascara 'Tea': A Tasty Infusion Made From Coffee Waste

’The Bucket List’, the movie

Kopi Luwak Coffee

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44: Thanksgiving’s Eve Spectacular

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 21:30:00 +0000

Fancy Gesha coffee beans sell for more than $70 a 12 oz. bag. Eric and Joe discuss how they feel about high-end coffees and what place they deserve on your shopping list. Also, Eric discusses the process he used to create Thrasher’s Christmas Blend, and Joe shares his first impressions of his new Kalita Wave dripper.

Fancy Gesha coffee beans sell for more than $70 for a 12 oz. bag. Eric and Joe discuss how they feel about high-end coffees and what place they deserve on our shopping lists. Additionally, Eric talks through the process he used to create Thrasher’s Christmas Blend, and Joe shares his first impressions of his new Kalita Wave dripper.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code THANKSTHRASHER.

Show Notes & Links

Instagram: Joe’s Irish coffee, the mug, and Kalita Wave dripper

Darryl San Pedro’s question about Stumptown’s Gesha coffee pricing

Stumptown’s Guatemala Finca El Injerto Gesha — $75 for 12 oz. of whole bean coffee

Thrasher Coffee’s new Christmas Blend, roasted by Eric

Peet’s Coffee Buys Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Kalita Wave Dripper 185 “for 3-4 people”

Kalita Wave 185 Series Filters

Kalita Wave Series 500 carafe

Kalita Wave series Wave Dripper 155

The AeroPress coffee maker kit

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43: It's Got Nothing to Do with Leprechauns

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 01:41:00 +0000

Eric and Joe enjoy an Irish coffee together and discuss its origins, how to perfect the recipe, find the right ingredients, use traditional Irish coffee mugs, and give some other tips for adventurous coffee enthusiasts to try at home.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code THANKSTHRASHER.

Show Notes & Links

The Talk Show by John Gruber, Episode 30: Buy High, Sell Low ~ Marco Arment and John Gruber discuss technology topics and John’s favorite cocktail, the old fashioned. This is where Joe thinks he originally discovered the beverage in 2013.

The Manhattan cocktail recipe ~ To the best of our ability with a quick Google search, this looks like a reliable source for the “perfect” Manhattan recipe, but don’t count on it! “Perfection” is subject to taste, as we always say, and this isn’t necessarily the same as the recipe Eric’s dad sticks to.

Baileys ‘The Original Irish Cream’ ~ This is what’s commonly used combined with espresso or regular coffee to make an “instant” Irish coffee. We don’t recommend you use Baileys, but if you want the simplest recipe ever, go for it. You lose control over the ingredients but you’ll have a tasty drink.

One Irish coffee recipe ~ We are of the opinion that you should take some recipe for the beverage and experiment with it—adjust it to taste. You can try different Irish whiskeys, different sweeteners, whipped cream or heavy whipping cream… But you’ve got to start with some recipe, so check this one out.

The history of the Irish Coffee ~ In the early 1940s, chef Joe Sheridan crafted this cocktail for passengers that were unable to make their flight across the Atlantic Ocean. People loved it, he added it to the menu, and not long after, Americans brought the recipe to San Francisco.

The Buena Vista ~ The origin of Irish coffee in America. “The historic venture started on the night of November the 10th in 1952. Jack Koeppler, then-owner of the Buena Vista, challenged international travel writer Stanton Delaplane to help re-create a highly touted "Irish Coffee" served at Shannon Airport in Ireland.”

Another recipe from Chowhound ~ Joe referenced this recipe in today’s episode. It calls for 6 teaspoons of sugar, et cetera.

The Irishman Founder’s Reserve ~ It is a blend of two styles, Single Malt and Single Pot Still. This results in a much more flavoursome whiskey. A Gold Medal Winner at The International Spirits Challenge in London, one of the highest rated Irish Whiskey’s in Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible with 93 points, and most recently awarded Gold at “The Whiskey Masters” as overall winner in “The Irish Whiskey Category.”

Set of 4 8 oz. Irish Coffee Mugs ~ These look essentially like Irish coffee mugs. They are made of glass, have a handle, and a pedestal base for the goblet, of sorts. All together, these glasses make a great presentation for the drink.

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42: Combination French Press, Hair Dryer & Time Machine

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:44:00 +0000

Joe Darnell interviews returning guest, John Guiliano. Writer, photographer and coffee enthusiast, John is a year into his coffee journey at BrewingCoffeeManually.com. We discuss his writing practices, routine for content creation, his new “Choose Your Weapon” t-shirts, and excellent reasons to write a coffee journal.

John’s site: Brewing Coffee Manually

John on Twitter: @BruCoffeeManual

John on Instagram: BrewingCoffeeManually

John’s father-in-law’s photography

Controversy over Starbuck’s Christmas coffee cups

Bee House Ceramic Coffee Dripper

Brewing Coffee Manually stamp logo

Article: What 3 things did John learn while blogging about coffee for a year

“Choose Your Weapon” coffee brewing t-shirt

”The Cafetiere” French press

Article: Keeping a Manual Coffee Brewing Journal

Brewing Coffee Manually coffee journal

John’s products on Gumroad

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41: Cats and Coffee Makers Don't Mix

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 21:35:00 +0000

Joe has bad news about his Chemex, Eric is weirded out by Joe’s observational skills, and together they discuss ways a listener of the show could upgrade his coffee at home.

Joe has bad news about his Chemex, Eric is weirded out by Joe’s observational skills, and together they discuss ways a listener of the show, Josh Lambert, could upgrade his coffee at home.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code THANKSTHRASHER.

Show Notes & Links

Joe’s Chemex (6-Cup Classic Series)(broken now)

Kalita coffee makers

Hario coffee makers

The Kalita Wave Joe is considering

The Hario that Eric uses

Melitta 10-cup pour-over brewer

Joe on Instagram

Eric’’s SterlingPro Double Wall Stainless Steel French Coffee Press

Josh Lambert’s coffee gear (tweeted pic)

Josh’s coffee press (another tweeted pic)

Josh Lambert’s coffee gear:

Cuisinart Coffee Brew Central 12-cup Programmable Maker

8 O’clock Coffee

Mr. Coffee spice grinder

Josh’s Bodum Chambord 8 cup French Press Coffee Maker

Keep It Clean: The Coffee-maker is a Haven of Bacteria

Find us online:
TopBrew.fm

If you dig the show, leave us an iTunes review:
Top Brew podcast on iTunes

We’d love to correspond by way of old-fashioned email:
feedback@topbrew.fm

Get more acquainted with us:
@TopBrewFM
@_JoeDarnell

40: A Hallmark in a Cup

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 20:20:00 +0000

For the big Four Zero, Joe and Eric discuss changes in Joe’s household that led him to switch from an AeroPress to a Chemex. In review, the guys debate the merits of a coffee-to-water ratio chart, and Joe names the factors of ‘Eleven Things Only a Coffee Snob Would Understand’, so you can grade yourself on your true level of eccentric coffee snobbery.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

The AeroPress coffee maker kit

AeroPress championship recipes

Classic Series 6-cup Chemex

The perfect formula for brewing coffee, down to the gram

Alton Brown’s ‘Making a Perfect Cup of Coffee’

11 things only a coffee snob would understand (with video)

Dave Grohl’s Fresh Pots

Find us online:
TopBrew.fm

If you dig the show, leave us an iTunes review:
Top Brew podcast on iTunes

We’d love to correspond by way of old-fashioned email:
feedback@topbrew.fm

Get more acquainted with us:
@TopBrewFM
@_JoeDarnell

39: There’s Chemicals in My Chemicals

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 20:03:00 +0000

Eric and Joe wish you a happy ‘Back to the Future’ day, and introduce a segment of follow-up. They talk about human genes and how caffiene is metabolized, the plunging price of commodity coffee around the globe, the science behind flavoring a pumpkin spice latte, and how some coffee drinkers use salt to mask bitterness in their brew.

Eric and Joe wish you a happy ‘Back to the Future’ day, and introduce a segment of follow-up. They talk about human genes and how caffeine is metabolized, the plunging price of commodity coffee around the globe, the science behind flavoring a pumpkin spice latte, and how some coffee drinkers use salt to mask bitterness in their brew.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Topics

Welcome to ‘Back to the Future’ Day

Love coffee? Need coffee? Your genes may have something to do with it. The Dutch drink an average of 2.4 cups of coffee a day annually, thus being the number one consumer of coffee every year.

Coffee Prices Down 34% This Year

Flavor Science: What's Really in a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Thrasher Coffee on Instagram — Insta-follow!

To tame bitter coffee, skip the sugar and add some salt instead

Find us online:
TopBrew.fm

If you dig the show, leave us an iTunes review:
Top Brew podcast on iTunes

We’d love to correspond by way of old-fashioned email:
feedback@topbrew.fm

Get more acquainted with us:
@TopBrewFM
@_JoeDarnell

38: “K” is for Keurig

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 20:25:00 +0000

There are twelve Keurig coffee makers for sale at Joe’s local Target. People love these devices, so what do we make of them? Eight years ago, Joe’s java journey started with two of these machines. How did Keurigs lead him to artisinal coffee? Eric and Joe debate the pros and cons of K-cups and evaluate what coffee drinkers they serve best.

There are twelve Keurig coffee makers for sale at Joe’s local Target. People love these devices, so what do we make of them? Eight years ago, Joe’s java journey started with two of these machines. How did Keurigs lead him to artisanal coffee? Eric and Joe debate the pros and cons of K-cups and evaluate what coffee drinkers they serve best.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Keurig’s website

About Keurig on Wikipedia

A pretty standard Keurig coffee maker, the K45 Elite

Details about Apple’s new accessories, including the sound the new Magic Mouse 2 makes moving across your desk’s surface

Keurig K-cup reusable coffee filters

How to brew freshly roasted coffee with your Keurig

Episode 12: ‘A Cup of Coffee for Ants’, the second time we discussed Keurigs

Episode 5: ‘It Was a Keurig Hit and Run’, the first time we discussed Keurigs

Keep it Clean: ‘The Coffee-maker is a Haven of Bacteria’

Find us online:
TopBrew.fm

If you dig the show, leave us an iTunes review:
Top Brew podcast on iTunes

We’d love to correspond by way of old-fashioned email:
feedback@topbrew.fm

Get more acquainted with us:
@TopBrewFM
@_JoeDarnell

37: Bending Our Minds with Pumpkin Spice

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 21:14:00 +0000

Believe it or not, Eric has never had a Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte. So we sat down to have one of this year’s pumpkin-puree-infused recipe and give it our review while we cringe at the number of toxic artificial and “natural” ingredients Starbucks uses for their fancy beverages.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Top Brew Listener Mail Form

Vani Hari: ‘You’ll Never Guess What’s in Your Pumpkin Spice Latte’

Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte now has pumpkin in it

Starbucks’ 2015 menu price list

Bonus: Orange Sleeve Society - The knitted Pumpkin Spice Latte Club

36: Combination Coffee Grinder and Pencil Sharpener

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:56:00 +0000

Joe returns from vacation in Panama City thirsty for craft coffee in Atlanta, so he gives a report of his first visit to Octane Coffee in Midtown. Also, Eric and Joe review Stumptown Coffee Roaster’s ‘brew kits’ intended for beginning to enthusiast levels of coffee prep at home and travel.

Joe returns from vacation in Panama City thirsty for craft coffee in Atlanta, so he gives a report of his first visit to Octane Coffee in Midtown. Also, Eric and Joe review Stumptown Coffee Roaster’s ‘brew kits’ intended for beginner to enthusiast levels of coffee prep at home and on the road.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off their first purchase with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Top Brew Listener Mail Form

Counter Culture Coffee Training Center, Atlanta

Octane Coffee at Westside, Atlanta

Stumptown Coffee Roasters’ Brew Kits

Stumptown’s Voyager brew kit

Stumptown’s Journeyman brew kit

Snow Peak Folding Coffee Drip

Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder

Stumptown’s Entertainer brew kit

35: Exploration of the Whole Coffee Game

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 18:18:00 +0000

Craft coffee is unique to different parts of the world, even on the East and West coasts of the United States. Our guest, Nick Jesch from outside Portland, Oregon, discusses with Joe his expertise in all aspects of the coffee process: from dirt to the cup. As a dealer, Nick is experienced with a wide range of equipment, roasting and brewing methods, and so much more. Nick has stories to share about coffee farmers and successfully transforming mediocre beans into exceptional roasts.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Top Brew listener mail form

Coming Soon: TazaBella.com

Peugeot grinders

Monsooned Malabar coffee

Chlorogenic acid

34: The Cost of Fine Coffee and Your Standards of Taste

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 19:17:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe talk about Thrasher Coffee’s new decaf and espresso roasts, coffee bag packaging, and debate how much coffee drinkers are willing to pay for their coffee. There are two kinds of coffee customers. Which one are you?

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee’s Settler Roast (decaffeinated)

Thrasher’s new Frontier Roast (espressso)

A Coffee Drinker Versus an Enthusiast

33: Flavors that Make Coffee Great and Terrible

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 19:55:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe talk about one of the most perplexing issues of coffee: the ever complex number of flavors we taste from any variety of coffee bean. From floral notes to delicate spices, coffee can somehow taste like… almost anything edible and sometimes unedible! We explores the top nine categories of flavor and pick our favorites and shed light on personal experience with their taste testing specialty coffees.

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe talk about one of the most perplexing issues of coffee: the ever complex number of flavors we taste from any variety of coffee bean. From floral notes to delicate spices, coffee can somehow taste like… almost anything edible and sometimes unedible! We explores the top nine categories of flavor and pick our favorites.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 10% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Counter Culture’s Flavor Wheel

Counter Culture’s Flavor Wheel with flavor “Faults”

32: Opposite Ends of the Taste Spectrum

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:09:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe reveal a little known scientific fact: Coffee does not dehydrate you! And another myth to bust: “Coffee is bitter”. The guys look at the differences that acidity and bitterness make to coffee flavor profiles, and weigh how much the bitterness comes from roasting coffees.

Sponsored By

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 10% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Top Brew Listener Mail Form

Top Bew (@topbrew), Twitter

Joe Darnell (@_joedarnell), Twitter

No, You Don’t have to Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day to Stay Healthy

More Consensus about Coffee’s Benefits than You Might Think

No Evidence of Dehydration from a Moderate Daily Coffee Intake

Caffeine Ingestion and Fluid Balance

Myth #3: Coffee is Bitter | Thrasher Blog

Robusta Beans | Wikipedia

31: How Aunt Methuselah Likes Her Coffee

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 17:51:00 +0000

Eric and Joe confront awkward social pressure at the coffeehouse counter. Do you have the guts to order what you want? Or are you afraid of what people will think of your fussy coffee beverage? Reuters report shows that most of us are so concerned that others are judging us that we order something we don’t actually want!

Sponsored Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee: Fresh small-batch coffee shipped to your door. Our listeners receive 10% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Defy Snobs: Order the Coffee that You Want

The Old-fashioned is Back

Movie reference: When Harry Met Sally

30: The All New Coffee Gift Game Exchange

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 18:50:00 +0000

Joe Darnell and Reed Hash, a senior at University of Southern California in L.A., discuss craft coffee on the West Coast and in international travel. As a student new to and in love with handcrafted coffee, and with some experience with all things counter culture in college, Reed has field tested espressos, Americanos, coffee roasters, coffee brewers and more.

Sponsored Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee: Listeners get 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW. Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep.

Show Notes & Links

University of Southern California in L.A.

Wikipedia: Caffè Americano

Starbuck’s Caffè Americano recipe ‘In true European style’

Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Glass 6-8 Cup Cold Drip Maker

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Kit

8-cup Glass-handled Chemex brewer

White Ceramic Hario V60

Bonavita electric kettle

The other Bonavita electric kettle

Baratza Vario Flat Ceramic Coffee Grinder

Four Barrel Coffee

Go Get Em Tiger Coffee

29: Why There Isn’t an Electric Drip Coffee Championship

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 13:57:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe discuss the difference between waiting on a good cup of coffee, and grabbing the easiest-most-readily-available coffee for the masses. What’s in your cup? We don’t always have the best and most convenient hot beverages imaginable readily available. So, what do you do if you have to pick between the two?

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe discuss the difference between waiting on a good cup of coffee and grabbing the easiest-most-readily-available coffee for the masses. We don’t always have the best and most convenient hot beverages readily available. So, what do you do if you have to pick between the two? What’s in your cup?

Sponsored Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Joe references ‘American Graffiti’

Eric’s references Crossfit

How espresso machines work

Video: an engineer explains how his espresso machine’s design works (sounds complicated)

Tony Shalhoub (from Galaxy Quest, and that other movie…)

Feedback

How did you enjoy this episode? We hope you loved it, but we’re curious to know what you thought. Rate us on iTunes »

28: Converting Coffee Beans into Diamonds

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 18:22:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe discuss aging coffee beans, follow-up on Celestial Seasonings’ herbal infusions, and their loves/hate relationship with decaffeinated coffees. What do we like about decaf? Where the industry is heading? The guys talk about the four types of decaf processing and their tastes.

Sponsored Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Details about aging coffee

Details about aging pipe tobacco

Episode 23, Joe and Eric discussed hot teas in general and Celestial Seasonings company

Celestial Seasonings site

Why Coffee Culture Continues to Evolve

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Decaf

‘Sir, did you realize you were drinking decaffeinated coffee?’

In Defense of Decaf

27: Quentin’s ‘Kill Bill’ Coffee Brewer

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 17:37:00 +0000

John Giuliano of Brewing Coffee Manually joins Joe to discuss his brewing ritual: how he stumbled upon craft coffee, roasts his own and enjoys online coffee subscriptions, collects brewing tools, and more.

John Giuliano of Brewing Coffee Manually joins Joe to discuss his brewing ritual, how he stumbled upon craft coffee, roasts his own, enjoys online coffee subscriptions, collects brewing tools, and more.

Sponsored Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes

ManualCoffeeBrewing.com

John on Twitter

John on Instagram

Basic Brewing Radio (podcasts)

Behmor Coffee Roaster

Baratza Virtuoso Grinder

Stovetop 4-cup Gooseneck Kettle

Bonavita 1-liter Digital Electric Gooseneck

AeroPress

8-cup French (Coffee) Press

Woodneck Hario Drip Pot (240ml)

6-cup Classic Chemex

Clever Coffee Dripper

Video: vintage Cory vacuum coffee pot

Hario Slim Mill Coffee Grinder

Brewing Journal: Challenging Yourself with Deliberate Practice

MistoBox Coffee subscription roasters

Angels Cup Coffee

Populace Coffee

Ruby Coffee Roasters

Sweet Maria's Home Coffee Roasting

Acaia Scale

AltoAir Wall-free Pour-over System

The Dragon Brewer

Does coffee dehydrate you or not?

‘Mugshots’ at Brewing Coffee Manually

Not Neutral coffee mugs

26: The Armless Man has Nothing to Worry About

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 20:59:00 +0000

This week on the show, Eric and Joe discuss Starbuck’s latest offering: cold brew coffee, and what people are saying about it. And for the main topic, the guys talk about the health risks and benefits of coffee, and what it means for your wellness, exercise, cognitive function, and more.

Sponsored Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

Top Brew on Twitter

Joe on Twitter

Email Eric if you want to reach him

Starbuck’s all-new cold brew coffee

‘The worst coffee we’ve tried in 2015’

The cold brew ‘gets roasted’ some more

Budweiser ‘American Ale’

Seven perks in every cup of coffee

Coffee plus exercise equals what?

Lower risk of diabetes and inflammation

It’s good for your legs but not for your arms

Coffee may not be good or bad for your health

‘Shut up and sip’

25: The AeroPress in My Happy Meal

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:58:00 +0000

This week on the show, Eric and Joe introduce “follow-up,” discuss coffee percolators, explain how they would approach brewing large amounts of coffee for special gatherings at home, and more.

Sponsored Notes & Links

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker Kit

Replacement Filter Cap

How “fair” is fair trade?

What is a coffee percolator?

How to make coffee in a percolator

Melitta 10 Cup Cone Filter Coffee Maker

Melitta 10 Cup Pour-Over Brewer with Stainless Thermal Carafe

Use this recipe to make your own “coffee concentrate”

Justin Archer’s appearance: ‘A Cold Shower in a Polish Winter’

Product Hunt’s “Coffee Hunt”

Handground Precision Coffee Grinder

Up Coffee app by Jawbone

Jawbone devices

34-ounce (8-Cup) Stainless Steel French Press

24: Hand-spun Spider Webs

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 18:04:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe talk about one of the more popular—yet lesser known—coffee makers that craft brewers love: the Hario V60. It’s the best ‘utilitarian’ coffee dripper, and has come to be Eric’s favorite brewing device.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

The pour-over (or ‘drip-brew’) coffee method

Ceramic Hario V60 coffee dripper (in color and material options)

The Hario V60 Server Set that Eric uses

Melitta Bentz, inventor of pour-over coffee devices

Hario v60 Drip Decanter

Our review of the Chemex coffee maker: Episode 7

Chemex coffee maker nylon cleaning brush

Review of the Chick-fil-A “Hand-spun” Peach Milkshake

Hario glassware company

Our review of the French press: Episode 13

Ozeri Touch kitchen counter weight scale

Eric’s ‘Cold-brewed Coffee for Summer’ article

23: Founding Fathers were the Original Hipsters

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 19:11:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss Colorado craft coffee roasters, units of ounce and gram measurements, American coffee history, hot tea, Celestial Seasonings, and more.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 25% off with coupon code TOPBREW.

Show Notes & Links

BoxcarCoffeeRoasters.com

The difference between grams and ounces

Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed…

The Boston Tea Party

George Washington’s historical interest in tea

More about George Washington’s tea

Thomas Jefferson’s interest in tea

American iced tea history

History of iced coffee

Good article on the differences of iced and cold brew coffee recipes

Celestial Seasonings, 100% Natural Teas

Sleepytime tea

Morning Thunder tea

22: An International Phenomenon

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 15:25:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss Italian, Spanish, and French roasts, pairing coffee with breakfast foods, roasting your own beans at home, saddening Starbucks’ gift cards, and much more!

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 10% off with coupon code FUSSYCOFFEE. And for a limited time, order a subscription and you’ll receive a free French press!

Show Notes & Links

The basics of coffee roasting

What is Italian roasted coffee?

French roast coffee explained

The basics of home roasting

Mr. Green Beans’ DIY roasting equipment

‘Pardon me for asking…’

21: A Cold Shower in a Polish Winter

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:39:00 +0000

Joe and our guest Justin Archer discuss caffeine addiction, abstaining from caffeine, and Justin’s brewing ritual. As the “optimized self” life coach of OptimizedSelf.ninja, Justin uses a variety of nutrients and suppliments — including coffee — to give himself a special edge.

Sponsored by

Show Notes & Links

Justin on Twitter

Optimized Self Ninja

Justin’s YouTube Channel

Justin on Instagram

Eric and Joe discuss Bulletproof Coffee® on episode 15

Eric and Joe discuss caffeine on episode 18

"No Caffeine for a Week Challenge” video playlist

Video: Wake Up Right And Pain Free With Bulletproof Coffee

Cyclic ketogenic dieting

Intermittent Fasting

Bonavita 1-liter Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle

Seven Benefits of Cold Shower Therapy

AeroPress Time app for iOS

Hario Coffee Mill Mini/Slim Grinder

Able Brewing Disk – Fine Coffee Filter for Aeropress

Kicking Horse Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee

Intelligentsia Coffee

Death Wish Coffee

Coconut oils

MCT oil

Ghee (Justin’s novel butter substitute)

Someone else’s experiment with bacon in their coffee

Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Grinder

6-cup Chemex – Classic Series

Chemex Ottomatic coffeemaker

ROK Presso Manual Espresso Maker

TwoGrand Mug of Awesomeness

Aperture Labs Portal mug

20: Roasting the Coffee Roasters

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:13:00 +0000

Crafting roast or industrial roasting: what’s the difference? Why can’t we produce 100 of pounds of roasted coffee in a single batch and get it to taste as well as a small batch? Do the big players like Starbucks hate us? Eric and Joe discuss this and more in this episode of Top Brew!

Sponsored by

Show Notes & Links

Starbucks Ethiopia Coffee

Seattle’s Best Coffee

Starbucks Targets Its Haters with Seattle’s Best Brand

Starbucks Targets Regular Joes

Starbucks & Seattle’s Best Plan to Blanket America

Example of the snug fit of an Apple Watch box (‘unboxing porn’)

19: The First Rule of Fussy Coffee and How to Override It

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 23:49:00 +0000

Fussy coffee doesn’t have to be hipster coffee. Truth is, you’re making coffee whatever way you like it — for you — when it’s done right, and that coffee doesn’t come with a label. Our guest, Tim Smith, discusses his brew ritual, how his coffee has changed with his wife around, and the large collection of coffee gear he uses along with his AeroPress.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 10% off with coupon code DOPAMINEKICK. And for a limited time, order a subscription and you’ll receive a free French press!

Show Notes & Links

Tim Smith on Twitter

The GoodStuff.fm podcast network

Tim’s site, ttimsmith.com

The MovieByte podcast, one of Joe’s other shows

The TechTonic podcast, which is Joe’s other other show

Starbucks critique scene in You’ve Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan

The Dribbble logo (the one with too many B’s)

An early podcast of Tim’s: Bubblenut

The East Wing podcast on the 5by5 network

Last remnants of Tonx Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee, which Tonx joined

Craft Coffee artisanal roasts

Madcap Coffee Coffee Co.

Cafe Grumpy Coffee

The AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill (grinder)

Hario V60 Coffee Dripper (kettle)

Planetary Airscape 64 oz. Chrome Canister

Making Fussy Coffee, article by Peter Binkowski

Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder

Currently available SNL coffee mugs and glasses

Recording and producing Top Brew is a labor of delicious love. If you enjoyed this episode, please show your support by rating and reviewing it on iTunes. People will hear about us, we’ll become famous, and then you can say you knew us when!

Rate our show on iTunes »

18: The Caffeine Gets Tired

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 27 May 2015 20:52:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe experimented on themselves with caffeine and lived to tell you about it. They discuss how caffeine works on your brain and blood flow. For one day, Joe drank more coffee than he had a legal right to.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 10% off with coupon code BETTERWITHAGE.

Show Notes & Links

10 things you didn’t know about caffeine

How caffeine is extracted to make decaffeinated coffee

‘Your Brain on Coffee’ video (good intro to caffeine)

The Art of Manliness podcast: ‘The Slumbering Masses’

Joe’s workout app, FitStar, for iOS and the desktop

17: Deep Within the Details of Homebrewing Coffee

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 21 May 2015 19:14:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss some fussy coffee details that make for superb home brewed coffee.

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe knock out a speed round of details that take fussy coffee up a notch. Why does the water temperature, weight scales, coffee storage, and the fineness of the coffee grind matter? All of this and more on today’s episode!

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 10% off with coupon code ELECTRICDRIPS.

Show Notes & Links

Death Wish Coffee (with an insane amount of caffeine)

In-depth research concerning caffeine in light and dark roasts

10 differences between Robusta and Arabica coffee beans

What is the boiling point of water in Fahrenheit and Celsius?

Be careful concerning HOT hot coffee burns

Our favorite hot water gooseneck kettle

A recommendable kitchen counter weight scale

Joe’s Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder (mixed it up with a Bonavita)

A coffee farmer explains where coffee flavors come from

Keeping coffee storage in the freezer

16: The One Boring Coffeemaker to Rule Them All

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 14 May 2015 21:14:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe discuss their life of drip coffeemakers and why they stay away from them now. Electric drip machines have fueled civilization for more than 50 years, but no matter how you innovate on these devices, they will not deliver great coffee.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 10% off with coupon code ERICLIKESBUTTER.

Show Notes & Links

Seattle’s Best Coffee today

‘Brewprint’ coffee recipe series:

Our podcast review of the Chemex

Melitta Bentz, inventor of the ‘modern’ coffeemaker

Brewing with the Melitta Pour-over system

James Bond and ‘Friends’ used the Chemex

Joe’s favorite: the AeroPress (his written review)

15: Bulletproof Coffee is Better than Choco-Frosty’s

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 02:01:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss differing opinions of Bulletproof® Coffee, a hyped-up beverage that gets far more press than it deserves. But there’s still a place for Bullet-y coffee…

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe share thoughts about Bulletproof® Coffee, an especially popular mainstream coffee slurry concoction that’s convinced everyone that butter+coffee+oils redefines health, wellness, and energy.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 10% off with coupon code FORSCIENCE.

Show Notes & Links

Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee (and agriculture)

A little more info about natural process coffee

Railway Coffee company

Dave Asprey of Bulletproof®

Dave’s Bulletproof® Coffee Recipe

Upgraded Coffee by Bulletproof®

Bulletproof Coffee Shop coming to Santa Monica

Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter - grass-fed & unsalted - for sale on Amazon

Waiting music: “Hungaria” by Latché Swing

Viva Labs’ MCT Oil for sale on Amazon

Paleolithic diet, one popular diet among Bulletproof® coffee drinkers

4 Reasons that Butter is Good for Coffee, by Joe

I Tried It: Bulletproof Style Coffee

3 Reasons Bulletproof Coffee is a bad idea

The Bulletproof Coffee Craze Explained

Debunking the Hot Butter Hype

14: Down to a Science, with Mike Davis

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 17:36:00 +0000

Craft roaster, Mike Davis of Railway Coffee, discusses his specialty coffee business with Joe Darnell. From humble beginnings, Mike has created a fine establishment seeking new ways to offer freshly roasted coffees to his town.

This week on the podcast, our honorable guest Mike Davis discusses specialty coffee roasting with Joe. Mike is the founder of Railway Coffee in Ruston, Louisiana. They talk about seasonal cold brew coffee, industrial espresso machines, and much more.

Railway Coffee Roaster in Ruston, Louisiana

Railway Coffee’s online shop

Railway on Twitter

Railway on Facebook

Railway on Instagram

Parish Press Coffeehouse

Mike’s coffee roaster was made by Mill City Roasters

About cold brew coffee

How to make homemade cold brew coffee

Chemex 6-Cup Classic Series Glass Coffeemaker

Bodum 12-cup French Press

Kitchen counter weight scale

Hario V60 Buono Coffee Drip Kettle, 1.2 L

Baratza Encore conical burr grinder

Great Harvest Bread Company

13: The Dark Elixir of the Gods

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 19:20:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss the richness of the French press coffee maker. This classic instrument pleases many a coffee drinker, like the Rauch family.

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe talk about French press coffee makers in all of their glory. Why is French press coffee so addicting? Did our grandparents use one? What’s Eric’s brewing recipe? All of this and more for episode #13!

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Show Notes & Links

All of the Starbucks cup sizes, including the ‘short’

Secret menu food at fast-food restaurants

Secret menu of Starbucks coffeehouses

Thrasher Coffee’s French press recipe

Blue Bottle French press brewing guide

Bodum 8-cup French press coffee maker on Amazon

Bodum Brazil 3-cup French press coffee maker on Amazon

More facts available on the French press Wikipedia page

Mad Men TV show

#MadMen Coffeemania Pinterest page

Chemex coffee maker, as seen on Mad Men

6-cup Chemex coffee maker for sale on Amazon

The lowdown on distilled water for brewing coffee

CamelBak Relay (water) filtration pitcher

12: A Cup of Coffee for Ants

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:13:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss people’s ability to taste the difference between good and mediocre coffee, and review the state of Keurig coffee makers.

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe talk about coffee tasting. Why is it that some people can taste the difference between good and bad coffee, while other people can’t tell the difference or appreciate it? The guys also discuss their opinion of Keurigs, and how the market is responding to the intense convenience they provide.

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Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffees shipped to your doorstep. Listeners get 10% off with coupon code MADCAP.

Show Notes & Links

“Winter is coming” and other mottos of ‘Game of Thrones’

Coffee Myth #4: It all tastes the same

Video: Basecamp tries some coffee

Links of Note article with the Basecamp story on Top Brew

The Pepsi Challenge (taste testing marketing scheme) is returning

In 1997, Coca-Cola was ‘challenged’ by Pepsi Challenge campaigns

Coca-Cola Museum of Atlanta, GA

Online Pepsi history timeline

Stanford research on the regeneration of human cells

Keurig K45 Elite Brewing System - black

What Alton Brown would call ‘a unitasker’

Reusable K-cup filters

Keurig hot beverages starter kit - 30-count K-cups variety pack

“Throwing K-cups in Glass Houses” by Marco Arment

Keurig’s mistakes that are driving some customers away

Fooling the Keurig machine

11: When Stars Collide, with Alex Carpenter

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 15:14:00 +0000

Joe Darnell interviews Alex Carpenter of the I Brew My Own Coffee podcast to discuss his brew ritual. Alex, the experienced coffee enthusiast, has surrounded himself with some of the most interesting people and tools of coffee “counter culture” in 2015.

This week on the podcast, Joe is joined by Alex Carpenter to discuss his brew ritual. Alex, the producer of the I Brew My Own Coffee podcast, is an experienced coffee enthusiast married to an exceptional barista. Together, they have experimented with coffee for years, turning everyday cups of joe into rich coffee experiences.

Cork and Bean: Bryson’s city’s best restaurant

Alex Carpenter’s website

I Brew My Own Coffee website

I Brew My Own Coffee on Instagram

I Brew My Own Coffee Twitter profile

I Brew My Own Coffee fan page on Facebook

I Brew My Own Coffee Podcast on iTunes

Where Alex works at a web design studio

I Brew My Own Coffee’s Coffee Gear Guide

French press

6-cup Chemex coffeemaker

Aeropress

Kalita Wave 185

Hario "Technica" 5-Cup Coffee Syphon

Linea Mini espresso machine

Madcap Coffee ni Grand Rapids

Populace Coffee

Alex’s written brew ritual interview

Acme Coffee cups

10: Much More than a Piece of Ceramic

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 19:35:00 +0000

Eric and Joe discuss the difference that a good coffee mug can make, what they prefer about their own, and why it matters in the first place.

"Back in the world of Coffeeland," Eric and Joe take a thoughtful look at keeping coffee mugs clean at home and the office. We don’t want to cause an epidemic! Also, why do coffee lovers grow attached to their mugs? What are some of the trends in coffee mug design over the last few decades? We explore all of this and more.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffee beans shipped to your doorstep. Top Brew listeners get 10% off with coupon code PRESSERER at checkout on their entire order.

Show Notes & Links

Why you should care about your office coffee mug

Howard Hughes in 'The Aviator'

How to keep your drip coffeemaker clean

Does the colour of the mug influence the taste of the coffee

The common coffee mug. "Meh"

Tour of the Sam Adam's Boston brewery

The Sam Adam’s Boston Lager pint glass

Double-walled insulated glass coffee mugs

Double-walled insulated glass espresso mugs

Waffle House style diner coffee mugs

Joe was wrong. They are concave mugs — not convex mugs.

Vintage Coca-Cola bottles and what you can do with them

Where Joe bought his vintage diner coffee mug

Video: Marvel's Thor smashes his diner coffee mug

An Eeyore mug like the one Eric had

Joe's 'Star Wars: A New Hope' coffee mug

Laura Fissel's cool coffee mugs (her brew ritual)

20 weird and funny coffee mugs

Which is worse: K-cup or disposable coffee cup?

KFC's edible coffee cup smells like grass and sunscreen

9: Can We Call It the Press Instead of the Plunger

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 21:01:00 +0000

At long last, we are discussing our favorite coffeemaker. Eric and Joe endorse the AeroPress and offer their inverted brewing recipe. If you’re new to the show, this is an excellent episode to start with.

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe introduce the AeroPress as Top Brew’s favorite coffeemaker. Joe has used it daily for awhile. Since Christmas, Eric has come to rely on it as well. For beginners and experienced artisanal coffee enthusiasts, this press — not a plunger — is an essential brewing device.

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Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffee beans shipped to your door. Top Brew listeners get 10% off with coupon code DIYBLEND at checkout.

Show Notes & Links

Top Brew Article: Our Favorite Coffeemaker

Buy an AeroPress coffee maker on Amazon for $29.95

AeroPress is also available at Bed Bath & Beyond

Hario V60 pour-over on Amazon for $13.90

The Hario V60 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Shawn Blanc’s ‘What’s so Special About the AeroPress’

Shawn links to ‘The Invention of the AeroPress’

Our review of the Chemex coffeemaker

The 8-cup Chemex Coffeemaker at Amazon

Eric’s brew ritual (how he likes his coffee and uses his gear)

AeroPress Championship 2015

AeroPress Timer app for iOS

The Invention of the Perfect Cup of Coffee (article about Alan Adler)

8: On the Scale of Merriment and Wonder

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 20:19:00 +0000

This week on the podcast, Eric and Joe discuss how to DIY coffee blends at home and taste test 4 new roasts that Eric prepared specially for the show.

Mixing your own coffee blends at home is tricky, so Eric and Joe answer listener Jon Leach’s question for tips on how to approach it. For the main discussion, Eric brought to the microphones 4 new coffee roasts of his own that the guys taste test on the air. Joe was especially excited about the Haitian Blue, a derivative of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffee beans shipped to your door. Top Brew listeners get 10% off with coupon code TOPBREW at checkout.

Show Notes & Links

Thanks for Listening!

If you enjoy the Top Brew podcast, share it with your friends and see what they think. Top Brew is a side hustle — a passion project for Eric and Joe. If it weren’t for our handsome listeners, we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves, and our coffee discussions.

7: The Modern Art Seal of Approval

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:25:00 +0000

This week, Eric and Joe discuss the Chemex coffeemaker. The device has been with us since 1941, yet there’s still much to experience and enjoy about this artisinal coffee tool.

Why would you use a hands-on craft coffeemaker? Because they’re awesome! The Chemex is a classic: a great starting point for drip coffeemaker fans to take it up a notch. It takes ‘drip’ and makes it ‘craft’ with just a little effort. Eric and Joe introduce and share tips for using this hour-glass-like pristine coffee flask.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: Freshly roasted small-batch coffee beans shipped to your door. Top Brew listeners get 10% off with coupon code TOPBREW at checkout.

Show Notes & Links

Leave Your Feedback on iTunes

If you’re enjoying our show, please visit the show on iTunes and leave us your honest star rating, written comments, or both. It helps people discover our show and grow an audience. Your feedback is always welcome!

6: Coffee in Queens, with Joe Caiati

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 22:55:00 +0000

Joe Caiati is an audio and video technician in Queens. As a long-time coffee drinker that’s late to the coffee enthusiast game, he relishes craft roast experiences from his local roasters. But he’s coffee curious — looking for new ways to doctor the flavors and caffeine jolts.

In this interview of the Top Brew podcast, Joe Caiati and Joe Darnell discuss what makes coffee so special, versus some other beverage. What are the habits we form with our brew, and why? Also, we hear what it’s like for Mr. Caiati in Queens, NY, to dabble with his fussy coffee options: where he gets his beans from local coffeehouses, and brews them in his 32 oz. French press at home.

5: ‘It Was a Keurig Hit and Run’

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 23:47:00 +0000

Eric Rauch went to Coffee Fest Atlanta and lived to tell the tale. Joe and Eric discuss ‘Keurig snobbery,’ the future of coffee roasting, and Eric’s experience with coffee over the years.

Eric and Joe discuss Eric’s trip to Coffee Fest in Atlanta last weekend. Along the way, a wide array of other coffee enthusiast subjects are raised, like decaf versus regular, Sanka, Seattle’s Best, and coffee roaster culture. The guys end on a ‘finishing note’ discussing Keurig coffee-makers, Green Mountain Coffee, and the present problems K-cups face in the market.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: The best small-batch coffee beans shipped to your door. Top Brew listeners get 10% off with coupon code TOPBREW at checkout.

Show Notes & Links

Sponsor the podcast

If you enjoy the show, keep our burr grinder running behind-the-scenes. Become a sponsor, so that people will hear about your brand, products, and services in an ad read on the podcast. E-mail Joe »

4: The Practical Enthusiast, with Ben Kayser

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:14:00 +0000

This week Joe is joined by Ben Kayser. They talk about life with coffee growing up, espresso machines at home, adulthood at the local coffeeshops, and pairing coffee with food.

3: The Strawberry Blonde Blend

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:10:00 +0000

Is it true that the coffee beans are reminiscent of wheatgrass and tofu, or honeysuckle and Hershey bar? Joe and Eric discuss cupping vocabulary, and the differences between light, medium, and dark roasts.

Is it true that your coffee will taste like apple crisp with a hint of Zinfandel? Eric and Joe pick apart cupping notes terminology, then explore the light, medium, and dark roast spectrum from the vantage point of the coffee customer. What you get in the bag isn’t always what the roaster claimed.

Sponsored by

Thrasher Coffee: The best small-batch coffee beans shipped to your door, with 10% off for Top Brew listeners that use coupon code TOPBREW at checkout.

Show Notes

Sponsor the Podcast and Site

E-mail Joe because sponsorship is the world’s best way to reach the coffee-fanatical audience. Learn more about the benefits on this page, because there are many!

2: Barbecue, Lemonade, and Coffee

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:29:00 +0000

Hand-crafted goods are growing in popularity in all of the food groups. Eric and Joe discuss the influence of artisanal foods on "home brewed" coffee, and introduce their personal brew rituals.

1: We Are Not Snobby Coffee Drinkers

Joseph Darnell and Eric Rauch — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 23:39:00 +0000

Eric Rauch and Joe Darnell asked friends what the first thing is that comes to mind about coffee, which lead to the great discussion we have in this first episode about the world’s love affair with this tasty drink.

Welcome to episode number one! Eric Rauch and Joe Darnell discuss the first things that come to mind when we think about coffee. The product we drink is the world’s favorite, represents diversity, and reflects the tastes of people at large. Before we get to the nitty-gritty, let’s think about the world’s love affair with the coffee bean.

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Show Notes

Subscribe to the Podcast

Use this RSS URL: http://www.topbrew.fm/podcast?format=rss

Top Brew

76: Thanksgiving Coffee’s a Thing?

75: It's a Happy New Year Trick

74: It’s Either Soylent or Lighter Fluid

73: Let it Sing

72: The All-New Cold Brew Pouring iPhone

Thanks for listening!

71: False Positive of Caffeine

70: Mosquitos with Skills

69: Flavor Molecules

68: Power by Plants and Artificial Sweeteners

67: Honey Doesn’t Roast Things

66: Syringe for Elephants

64: Part of a Balanced Breakfast

Krispy Kreme is purchased by JAB

Dunkin’ Doughnuts’ glazed doughnut nutritional info

Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed® Doughnut

Pepsi Throwback

Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder

Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Grinder

63: Ripe for the Hobbyists

Drinks, Makers & Mugs

Coffee in Kansas City

Related

62: Add Its Voice to the Symphony

Adventures in Tea

Another Great Coffee House in Downtown Atlanta

Taste Test of Counter Culture’s Bolivian Coffee

61: Don’t Flush Out Your Lightbulbs

Let’s stop listening to misinformation

Are we drinking too much water?

Do we need to worry about molds and pesticides?

Do we need to worry about caffeine overdose?

Isn’t coffee acid irritating my stomach?

Gastric Acid versus Chlorogenic Acid

Darker roasts help

Lactose helps

Cold brewing helps

Rabbit trail: Pepsi isn’t a ‘Southern Tradition’

Another Rabbit trail: What’s a Wordle?

Gas Station Coffee

RaceTrac’s Regular and Columbian (Bleh!)

The Difference Between Fast and Craft Goods

60: Hidden Meaning in Every Mug

59: Coffee and Computers

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Show Notes:

58: What Happens in Oz

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Show Notes:

57: Pursue Your Coffee Passion

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Show Notes & Links

56: Invited to the Wedding

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Show Notes & Links

55: The World of a Cup of Joe Quiz

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54: These Seeds Make Things Grow

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53: Where Are My Pants?

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52: The Coffee Kiosk in the Basement

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51: The Force That Awakens

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50: The Face Buzzing Effect

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49: Put That in Your Productivity Pipe

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48: Coffee in the Garden of Eden

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