Tips for Entertaining with Coffee from Parisi Artisan Coffee

Coffee is often an overlooked part of entertaining, yet can be as interesting and varied as wine. Kate Blackman, manager of Kansas City’s Parisi Artisan Coffee store in Union Station, shares how to host a coffee tasting party at home using a selection of artisan coffees served with delicious pastries or chocolates.

Start with coffee beans, a home grinder and hot water

  • It’s best to grind right before brewing.
  • Choose a cone grind or a slightly fine grind.
  • Have a variety of coffees available (three is good), ready to grind. You can purchase interesting flavors online at www.parisicoffee.com.

Heat water to about 200 degrees

  • Heat water in a kettle on your stove to about 200 degrees.
  • The water from an instant hot water tap would likely have to be adjusted to meet this temperature.

Use a simple single-cup, pour-over brewer

  • A manual single-cup brewer uses a conical filter, allowing you to brew one small batch at a time so you can have several blends ready for your guests to sample.
  • Pre-heat the brewer and wet the filter by pouring some hot water into the filter before adding the coffee.
  • Allow that water to drip into the glass pot below the filter.
  • For a clean, crisp taste, discard that water before adding the coffee to the filter.

Measure your coffee

  • For best results, use the scoop that comes with the brewer (pre-measured to 12 grams).
  • Use two rounded tablespoons per cup (equivalent of about 2 grams per ounce of water).
  • Make a "dimple" in the coffee before pouring in the water.

Add hot water

  • Add just enough hot water to wet the filter.
  • Start a timer; allow the coffee to "bloom" for about 30 seconds before adding additional hot water. Be sure to enjoy the wonderful aroma during the blooming process!
  • After 30 seconds, gently and evenly pour the water into the cup; start in the middle (the "dimple") and work your way outward, "showering" the grinds but making sure the water does not quite reach the edge of the filter.
  • Let that water drain through; at 1 ½ minutes, add the remaining hot water.
  • Repeat the process of slowly pouring the water from the middle outward, but be careful not to reach the outer edge, which would break the seal between the filter and the cup.

You're ready to serve

  • Consider using cordial or other interesting cocktail glasses for your tasting.
  • One 12-ounce cup can provide a tasting for 3 – 4 people.

Enjoy!

  • Serve with pastries or a luscious dessert. You’ll impress your friends!