Best Brews: Your Guide to Great Coffee

According to the U.S. National Coffee Association (NCA), Coffee consumption in 2022 has soared to a two-decade high. 66% of Americans now drink coffee each day, more than any other beverage, and up by nearly 14% since January 2021, the largest increase since NCA began tracking data.

Thrive magazine is spotlighting this increasingly popular beverage throughout this month, but if you want some specific celebrations, Dec. 3 is National Peppermint Latte Day, Dec. 15: National Gingerbread Latte Day, and Dec. 26 is Coffee Percolator Day.

Other interesting coffee facts:

• Cappuccinos and lattes are tied for America’s most popular coffee beverage, followed closely by plain espresso and cafe mocha.
• 41% of coffee drinkers use a drip coffee maker, followed by single-cup systems (27%), cold brewing (9%) and espresso machines (8%).
• The average U.S. coffee drinker consumes 2-3 cups of coffee a day.
• 40% of Americans add milk or creamers to their coffee, while only 4% use milk alternatives like dairy-free creamer
• A staggering 70% of all coffee consumed by millennials is in the form of gourmet, espresso-based beverages
• Colombia is the most popular origin of coffee among Americans and provided over $1 billion of coffee beans to the country in 2018
• Folgers, the leading coffee provider in America, sold over $1 billion worth of coffee in 2019 alone. (Of course, here in SWLA, everyone knows Community Coffee is the best!)

Sources: NCA and Statistica

Brew your finest Cup of Coffee by Avoiding these Five Coffee- Brewing Mistakes

by Diego Campos

Americans drink billions of gallons of coffee every year and the majority brew their coffee at home. While most people think that the perfect cup of coffee comes from a Starbucks drive-thru or Dunkin’, the truth is that professional-level coffee can be made at home no matter your Barista skills. But there are some common mistakes even the most seasoned coffee drinkers could be making while brewing their morning cup. Here are the top five coffee-brewing mistakes many coffee drinkers may be making and tips on how to make a better cup.  

1. Using unfiltered water. When you brew coffee, don’t just fill the coffee maker or boil water from the tap. Unfiltered water contains minerals and other additives that can taint and alter the flavors of the coffee. Use filtered or bottled water instead.
2. Not using a scale to measure your coffee. Portioning ingredients by weight rather than volume is much more precise. Your coffee brewing system or coffee itself might come with a scoop but using it could result in a brew made with too much or too little coffee depending on how much you compress the coffee in the scoop. This can make the strength of your coffee vary from pot to pot. Weigh your coffee!
3. Not weighing your water. Measuring your liquids by weight is always better than eyeballing what line of the coffee pot you’ve filled or using a measuring cup. Just like the coffee grounds, weighing your water results in a more consistent and precise brew flavor. The ideal ratio is 1 gram of coffee per 15 grams of water.
4. Using pre-ground coffee, over-grinding or under-grinding coffee beans. Grinding your beans right before you brew results in a much fresher taste. You also need to make sure you grind beans in the right setting for the type of coffee maker you use. Over-extracted coffee can taste bitter and lack flavor. This is caused by grinding beans too finely. Under extracted coffee can taste sour and acidic and this is the result of beans being ground too coarsely or too short of a brewing time. Espresso machines need a fine grind; the average coffee pot handles a medium grind well; for pour over a medium-course grind is ideal; and for a French press, opt for a course grind setting and longer steeping time. Most course settings should be reserved for cold brew coffee that brews for hours or overnight.
5. Storing coffee beans in a warm or sunny location or freezing them. Coffee beans should be kept in a cool, dark place. Don’t store coffee in clear containers. Store it in an opaque container that blocks the light to keep beans fresher. Glass containers may look nice on the kitchen counter, but they may actually be spoiling the flavor of your beans. 

Diego Campos is the 2021 World Barista Champion and an Amor Perfecto coffee farmer. If you want to take your barista skills a step further, Amor Perfecto offers 15-minute online barista classes as well as Colombian coffee that can be delivered to your doorstep within 6-8 weeks of harvest. For more info, go to amorperfecto.com.

Local Coffee Shops offer a Caffeinated Respite

by Matt Dye

As the holiday season comes upon us and the weather turns brisk, it’s nice to take a moment to duck away and enjoy a nice, hot latte or cup of coffee. SWLA offers a number of local stops that will allow you to get away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world for a little peace, sanity, and most importantly, caffeine!

Stellar Beans is your downtown Lake Charles go-to location for a morning cup of joe. They have a large variety of flavors such as Snickerdoodle Latte, with brown sugar, cinnamon, macadamia nut, and white chocolate, or their Cookies & Cream Latte. They also serve tea, frappes, smoothies, and Italian sodas; and the spacious layout and comfortable furniture make it a great place to spend a morning.

Coffee:30 on W. College St. is still considered the somewhat ‘new’ to the game coffeehouse in Lake Charles, but they’ve already made a mark with their award-winning micro-roasted brews. In addition to your expected flavors of lattes and frappes, Coffee:30 boasts a White Chocolate Strawberry frappe that’ll have your tastebuds soaring. And no one will notice if you sneak in a few of their award-winning beignets.

The Bekery on E. Walnut St. in Lake Charles might be known more for its brunch menu and an assortment of pastries, but they’ve also got a sensational coffee bar with a variety of fresh-ground options. The French Press cup is a nice change from what you find at other places, and this holiday season, the Peppermint Mocha is the perfect answer for a sweet tooth.

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans on Nelson Rd. in Lake Charles offers a rotating variety of directly traded coffees. In addition, they have regular favorites such as the Vienna Crème and a Mocha Latte made with rich Ghirardelli chocolate. Especially for the holiday season are the Butter Rum Latte, made with white chocolate and a caramel drizzle, and the Cookie Dough Oat Milk Latte, with tastes of vanilla, spices, and espresso melding together for a unique holiday treat.

Coming up on its 10-year anniversary, Java Joltz is the place to grab a cup of coffee and a breather in Jennings, La. Located on E. Shankland Ave., their Java Joltz House Blend is a specially crafted brew from Reve Coffee Company in Lafayette. They also offer Bullet Coffee, with contains MCT oil and ghee, which will be helpful in maintaining your mental acuity this holiday season.

Flat Tire Coffee Company in DeRidder, La. just opened last year but is already making a big impact in the community. Located on W. Second St., Flat Tire’s whole mentality is on taking a load off and fixing that flat with a good cup of coffee before hitting the road again. In addition to hosting its own roasts, Flat Tire boasts a Toasted Coconut and a Chocolate Chunk Latte, as well as a variety of dalgonas, — a unique Korean whipped coffee experience. 

Also in DeRidder on S. Washington Street, Cat’s Coffee & Creamery is a family-owned labor of love serving both espresso-based drinks and ice cream. Ease into the cozy atmosphere while you enjoy a Salted Caramel or Toffee Nut Latte. Or try one of their newest creations, a Caramel and Butter Pecan Latte.

The newest coffeehouse in the area, Le Macaron café, serves Lavazza coffee from Italy – freshly made in every single cup, including Espresso, Americano, and traditional drip coffee, Latte, and Cappuccino. While you’re getting your caffeine fix, you can also enjoy a wide assortment of authentic French pastries, chocolates, and, of course, hand-crafted macarons. These are perfect for your holiday event and offer gift packaging for a sweet holiday gift. Le Macaron is located at 2020 Country Club Road in Lake Charles.

The Village Coffeehouse is a place for fellowship. Take time to slow down with friends and family while you sip on a latte or a frappe and enjoy a sweet treat from the bakery. With a rotational menu of seasonal offerings and special events throughout the year, The Village Coffeehouse brings the community together at 121 S. Huntington Street in Sulphur.

Whatever may happen in the whirlwind of the holiday season, there are a few blessed places of refuge ready to serve up some hot java while you take a moment to yourself.