I have been spending more time exploring different coffee brewing methods, and that has reminded me how much difference the right grinder can make. For a long time, my dependable Hario hand grinder was all I needed. It remains one of the best-value pieces of coffee kit I have ever bought, especially for filter coffee and everyday brewing. Recently, though, I decided to add something more capable to the kitchen and bought a Eureka Mignon, a grinder that can produce the fine, consistent grind needed for proper espresso.
That upgrade has changed the way I make coffee at home. A consistent grind gives you more control, especially when using an espresso machine, and it has opened up a completely new side of coffee brewing for me. My old Gaggia machine, which has been waiting patiently for a better grinder, is finally able to perform as it should. The results are richer, more balanced and far more satisfying than anything I was getting before.
Once you start paying closer attention to grind size, extraction and brewing technique, the quality of the beans becomes even more important. I have been trying coffee from different roasters, tasting different origins and blends, and enjoying the huge range of speciality coffee now available in the UK. There are some genuinely excellent roasts out there, and it is easier than ever to find beans suited to espresso, pour over, cafetière or whichever brewing method you prefer.
One of my current favourites is very local to me and comes from a company with a long history of roasting speciality coffee in West Yorkshire.
Founded in 2003 in an old clog factory in Dewsbury, Cloggs Coffee Company has been hand roasting coffee beans ever since. The company began at a time when it was much harder to find good-quality beans, so Cloggs started importing and roasting its own. That practical decision helped shape a roastery focused on flavour, freshness and carefully handled coffee.
Over the years, Cloggs has built a strong range of coffees, bringing in beans from different parts of the world and roasting them in West Yorkshire. Their selection includes single-origin coffees as well as blends, giving home brewers a good choice whether they prefer something bright and lively or deep, dark and intense. For anyone interested in speciality coffee, it is always encouraging to find a local roaster producing beans with character and care.
There are a couple of real highlights in the Cloggs range. The Peruvian Triple Certified coffee works beautifully as a pour over. It is bright, tangy and fresh, with clear citrus notes that come through nicely in a clean filter brew. It is the kind of coffee that rewards a slower, more careful brewing method, especially if you enjoy lighter, more expressive flavours in the cup.
The House Blend is very different, but just as enjoyable. This is a big, bold coffee with a darker roast profile and plenty of chocolate character. It has the strength and body you want from an espresso, and it stands up well as a rich, satisfying brew. If you like coffee with depth, warmth and a more traditional espresso feel, this blend is a very good choice.
Trying different beans from a roaster like Cloggs is a reminder that coffee does not have to be complicated to be rewarding. Good beans, freshly roasted and properly ground, can make a huge difference. Whether you are using a hand grinder and a simple pour over setup or a more involved espresso machine, the starting point is always the coffee itself.
Your chance to win
Here is an excellent opportunity to try some of Cloggs Coffee Company’s coffee for yourself. The prize is a hamper that includes a selection of beans and a couple of extra treats:
- a bag of Cloggs’ superb House Blend beans;
- a bag of Kenyan Peaberry beans;
- a bag of Indian Monsoon Malabar beans;
- a bottle of Jack Daniels’ Tennessee Whiskey Fudge;
- a bottle of prosecco.
a Rafflecopter giveaway