Sharpen your taste buds - even at home

The osmotic flow method of coffee brewing is a relatively new coffee brewing method that involves using a membrane to separate water from coffee grounds. This method is designed to produce a cleaner and less bitter cup of coffee. To use the osmotic flow method, a membrane is placed between the coffee grounds and the water. The membrane allows the water to pass through, but not the coffee particles. As the water moves through the membrane and comes into contact with the coffee, it dissolves the soluble compounds in the coffee, such as the oils and flavor compounds. However, the membrane prevents the extraction of insoluble compounds, such as the bitter-tasting compounds found in coffee. The result is a coffee that is less bitter and has a cleaner flavor profile compared to other brewing methods. However, this method can be more time-consuming than other brewing methods, and the equipment needed for this method can be more expensive.

Yes, the material, shape, and color of the cup can impact your perception of the flavor of the coffee. Several studies have shown that the sensory experience of drinking coffee can be influenced by factors such as the color, shape, and material of the cup. For example, the color of the cup can affect the perceived intensity and sweetness of the coffee, with white and transparent cups being associated with sweeter coffee compared to cups of other colors. The shape of the cup can also impact the aroma and taste of the coffee, with wider cups allowing for more aroma release and narrow cups directing the aroma towards the nose, enhancing the perception of the coffee's flavor. The material of the cup can also impact the temperature of the coffee and therefore affect the perception of its taste. For example, ceramic cups tend to retain heat better than glass or metal cups, which can affect the perception of the coffee's acidity.

Fashion, food, drinks and music: each of us has certain preferences. And that's a good thing: After all, we constantly have to separate the important from the unimportant. For example, our brain can distinguish more than 10,000 smells from each other. It's important to know what you like and don't like. Who tells us this? Our “good” taste. Shaping taste is hard work: because, as so often in life, the search is accompanied by mistakes and setbacks. But it's worth it: Because a trained sense of taste enriches our lives. So every meal – or every cup of coffee – becomes a taste experience. Literally.

"Gran Lungo" is a term used in coffee culture to describe a type of coffee shot that is larger than an espresso but smaller than a regular cup of coffee. It typically contains 3.5 ounces (100 ml) of coffee, which is about twice the amount of an espresso shot. The Gran Lungo is made by using the same brewing method as an espresso, but with a longer extraction time. This results in a coffee shot that is more intense and concentrated than a regular cup of coffee, but with a richer, more complex flavor profile than an espresso. The term "Gran Lungo" is often used by coffee manufacturers, such as Nespresso, to describe their specific coffee pods or capsules that are designed to be used with a compatible coffee machine. These capsules contain a precise amount of coffee, which is optimized for the Gran Lungo extraction process, resulting in a consistent and high-quality coffee shot every time.