Coffee connoisseur’s appreciate the beverage like no other.  Even if you’re not well versed in the fine arts of coffee, our Baristas Guide To True Coffee will put you on the path to a great deal of knowledge through a series of videos about the fine art of brewing, tasting and evaluating the quality of coffee.

Baristas Guide To True Coffee

How much do you really know about the beverage you consume everyday? Are you thinking about making it part of your daily routine? Welcome to the amazing world of Coffee! First, our thanks to Barista Jen van Leeuwen, owner of Social Grounds Coffee House in Sherwood Park, Alberta with the information for this guide. Jen gives us literally the inside scoop on popular drinks, as well as complete details from beans to brewing and consuming to socializing.  We hope you enjoy this comprehensive and ultimate guide to True Coffee!

Branded coffee outlets are fast and convenient, but when it comes to the Italian heritage of coffee, Barista Jen is at the top of the class with her boutique coffee house and has it dialed in, just like you’d expect when visiting an authentic coffee bar in Italy!

Jen knows what discerning customers want.  Here are some of the most popular coffee drinks many people love and you’ll want to try!

Latte consists of Espresso + Steamed Milk. Caramel Macchiato add Caramel sauce, vanilla syrup to a latte and can be topped with optional whip cream.  Cold Vanilla Latte includes ice, cold milk, flavouring and a shot of Espresso.  A video of the making of these drinks is shown below.

Mocha ingredients have real chocolate, Espresso + Steamed Milk, thin foam and topped with whipped cream and dusting of chocolate or optional nutmeg or vanilla! Espresso is finely ground coffee brewed rapidly with highly pressured water at 128C degrees! A video of the making of these drinks is shown below. But first, for those new to coffee, she has some starter suggestions or if you don’t drink regularly.

We spent a good two hours gathering the inside scoop on all the amazing details on your favourite drinks and then went even deeper into the world of coffee with Barista Jen.  So if you wish to learn more, keep scrolling as we present in the following video series some great tips and tricks. There are also some great how-to-videos we share further down, so don’t miss out on the inside scoop from the Baristas Guide to True Coffee.

Coffee Talk: Our Chat with Barista Jen

First, let’s find out some basics, like what’s the difference between a French Press and Pour Over?

Jen mentioned something about direct origin coffee beans.  Let’s explore that a little more in this next video.

The way the coffee plant is nourished and where it originates can also have a big impact on the quality and taste of the “berries.”

So, is there a difference between organically grown and non-organic coffee? Jen explains heated water can affect the chemical makeup of the coffee and its taste!

Selecting the coffee beans, grinding, preparation and processing of the coffee sounds like it might be complicated, but knowing the do’s and don’ts will have you well on your way to being an expert too!

We asked Barista Jen what her thoughts were for people who love coffee, but have dairy allergies and want to still enjoy the cup of Joe.  There are three great options to choose from that won’t spoil the finished taste. Jen says for added flavour, there are a variety of syrups that spice things up!

Coffee is well known for it’s perks and energy benefits. But what if you’re wanting a coffee that’s not caffeinated?  Jen talks about the Swiss Water process and how different roasts of beans can impact the amount of caffeine you drink.

There are so many different combinations of coffee that Social Grounds Coffee House know some clients and her staff have their own personal favourites.  In fact, the staff have the option to come up with their own creations and share those with the patrons.  Plus, you’ll love the tasty home-made treats that go along with that cup of coffee!

A great cup of coffee can be compared to a great glass of wine. Jen explains that coffee can be paired up with foods too depending on your personal tastes and preferences.

And of course, Jen says coffee is always best shared with friends, but is also wonderful to enjoy when you’re alone and just want to relax.

Meanwhile, before we share the full drink guide video’s below, feel free to check out our new Ford inventory at Sherwood Ford and schedule a time to drop by for a free coffee and then get behind the wheel!

The Ultimate Coffee Drink Guide Video’s

The experience of watching Jen prepare the beverages and then having the privilege of sampling them was wonderful! In the opinion of our social media manager, David van der Leek (his favourite was the Mocha), after doing so, going back to branded coffee is simply not an option! See how the following popular coffee drinks are made with tips and tricks to get them just right.

Americano

In Italian, the term “espresso” means “made on the spot”. This method was perfected as a way to reduce coffee preparation time in cafés and restaurants.

Cappuccino

Mocha

Cold Vanilla Latte

The International Coffee Organization says that globally consumption has grown by nearly 42% since the beginning of this century. So we’re drinking more of it than ever before, which explains the expansion of many coffee chains in the past few decades.  Coffee is a ritual enjoyed by artists, politicians, writers and everyone in-between.

Visit Sherwood Ford for a free cup of coffee! Before your come,  check out our new Ford inventory at Sherwood Ford and schedule a time to drop by and get behind the wheel for a test drive!