09 November 2023 , 13:12
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Are you a Coffee Connoisseur, or a Novice Sipper? Take this quiz to find out how clued-up you are when it comes to the perfect “cup of joe”.
It comes as UK coffee drinkers typically enjoy three cups a day, knocking back a whopping 62,000 mug-fulls over their lifetime – with latte (21%) and cappuccino (20%) named as their favourite types of brew.
And the first sip of coffee is usually consumed as early as 7am – as 41% admit they struggle to function properly in the morning until they have had that first hit of caffeine.
The survey of 2,000 coffee lovers also found that a flat white (15%) or an americano (18%) are other popular choices when pouring themselves a cup.
But almost half (43%) are creatures of habit, having ordered the same type of coffee for more than 20 years, according to the study, commissioned by Breville.
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This may be because three-quarters (74%) of those polled admit they are clueless about which type of coffee bean goes into making their favourite cuppa, while half (51%) are stumped about what the difference is between an iced coffee and a cold brew.
To put your coffee knowledge to the test, Breville has created this quiz all about the beverage – asking questions such as what is the average life span of a coffee plant, and what is the optimum temperature at which to brew coffee.
The home appliances brand also launched a pop-up café, “Spill The Beans”, to inspire coffee fans to be more adventurous with the drink.
Breville spokesman, Iain Stuart-Crush, said: “As the study shows, UK consumers can't get enough of coffee. As anyone who loves a cup will tell you, it very quickly becomes an established part of our daily routines.
“But it’s interesting to see how many people aren’t sure whether they’re making the best out of their coffee at home. Perhaps this is why so many people prefer to leave it in the hands of the baristas, more often than not.
“We want to show consumers that they can make delicious, barista-quality coffee from their kitchen, with our latest espresso machine innovation.”
The study, carried out through OnePoll, found that, when it comes to knowledge of coffee beans, 80% have heard of the Arabica variety – but many don’t recognise the three other popular types. A third have heard of Robusta, but only 9% know of Liberica, and just 8% are familiar with Excelsa.
Surprisingly, 51% also don’t know the difference between a cold brew and an iced coffee – with the key difference being that cold brew is made from coffee grounds, steeped in cold water for 12 hours, whereas iced coffee is cooled regular coffee.
Using the new Breville Barista Signature Espresso Maker, founder of Artisan Coffee Co., Ashley Palmer-Watts, gave visitors to the café pop-up some coffee-making tips.
He said: “People often find themselves sticking to the same coffee they’ve been drinking for years, not fully exploring the rich world of coffee.
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“It was great to be at the Spill the Beans Café with Breville to help coffee-lovers master the art of homebrewing, and teaching people all about the depth of coffee.
“I want to help people understand their coffee choices, and give them the confidence to explore different ways of drinking coffee – including from the comfort of their own home.”
ASHLEY PALMER-WATTS' TOP TIPS FOR CREATING THE PERFECT COFFEE AT HOME:
- Start with a warm mug: Run it under hot water before making your coffee, to keep your coffee piping hot for longer.
- Use filtered water: Water makes up 98% of coffee, so better water = better coffee. Get water to the perfect temperature – water has to be between 90 to 96 degrees for the perfect cup of coffee.
- Learn to “tamp”: When using an espresso machine, tamping is essential to ensure the coffee bed is level. If it’s not level, the water won’t run through it evenly, resulting in an uneven extraction and unbalanced flavour.
- Freeze your coffee beans: This helps maintain the freshness of the beans, to make them last double the length of time. Once you’ve defrosted the beans, don’t re-freeze them, and make sure they’re sealed to keep them fresh.