Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have any questions about coffee or the products at Posh Coffee & Stuff feel free to contact us and we will be only too happy to help.
Q. What is Coffee?
A. Coffea (coffee) is a genus of ten species of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. They are shrubs or small trees, native to subtropical Africa and southern Asia. Seeds of this plant are the source of a stimulating beverage called coffee. The seeds are called "beans" in the trade. Coffee beans are widely cultivated in tropical countries in plantations for both local consumption and export to temperate countries. Coffee ranks as one of the world's major commodity crops and is the major export product of some countries.
Q. How do I use a cafetiere?
A. Start with the correct grind of coffee. It should be quite coarse. This stops the coffee grains escaping back through the plunger and into your coffee drink. Put the coffee in the bottom of the cafetiere and add hot water (boiled but not quite boiling). Stir thoroughly. Rest the plunger lightly on top of the liquid and leave for a couple of minutes for the coffee to settle. If you like hot milk in your drink, now is the time to heat it - but don't let it boil. N.B. The longer you leave the coffee before pushing down the plunger, the stronger your coffee will be. Push the plunger down to the bottom of the cafetiere. Pour and enjoy!
Q. What is the difference between a cafetiere and a french press?
A. Nothing at all!
Q. How big a cafetiere should do I need?
A. Cafetieres are normally sold in 3, 6, 8 or 12 cup sizes. However, these cups are the small espresso cups which can be very confusing. The cup sizes equate roughly to the following, bearing in mind that mug sizes also vary!
3 cup = 1 mug and a bit of a top-up
6 cup = 2 mugs and a bit of a top-up
8 cup = 3/4 mugs
Q. How much coffee do I need to use in a cafetiere?
A. This of course depends on how strong you like your coffee, but you can use the gap between the bottom of the cafetiere and the plunger (when the cafetiere is empty) to give you a rough guide.
Q. How can I recycle my used coffee grounds?
A. Used coffee grounds are very good for the garden (or pot plants) as they are full of nutrients. Also, slugs don't like them!
Q. I don't like digging out the used grounds from the bottom of the cafetiere. Is there any other way to clean it?
A. Yes, the easiest way is to have a sieve handy. You can then rinse out the cafetiere and pour the water and grounds through the sieve. Once drained, the grounds can be just tipped out.
Q. How do I keep my coffee?
If you are using within a couple of weeks, just leave it tucked up tightly and in the dark. If you want to keep it for longer, put the packet in a plastic tub and keep in the freezer. It doesn't need to be thawed out and comes out of the freezer just as it goes in.
Q. Can you freeze coffee?
A. Yes, coffee keeps well in the freezer.