Balance Coffee

If you’re anything like us, the sweltering heat of summer calls for a change in your coffee drinking habits. Dive in as we help you to find the best iced coffee recipe this summer so you can discover your personal favourites to accompany those days where working from home is a struggle. We’re starting with our founder James’ absolute favourite – the Japanese iced filter coffee. We urge you to get experimental and remember to tag your best creations on Instagram @balancecoffee , and we’ll be sure to re-post. 1. Japanese Iced Filter Coffee Ice + Filter Coffee It sounds fancy, but what is Japanese iced filter coffee, and why is it so good? Think cold brew but 5x better (in our humble opinion). Unlike cold brew, which is all about removing acidity, the Japanese iced filter brew method is all about showcasing the more flavourful, bright and complex notes in your cup of coffee. The method is simple: brew hot filter coffee (ideally Hario V60 Recipe Style ) directly over ice to get all t...

It sounds fancy, but what is Japanese iced filter coffee, and why is it so damn good? Before we dive right in and show you how to make iced coffee, Japanese style – you’ll need to understand what makes it different from other iced methods. Unlike cold brew, which is all about removing acidity, the Japanese iced filter brew method is all about showcasing the more flavourful, bright and complex cup of coffee – making it 10x better. The method is simple: brew hot coffee ( Hario V60 Recipe Style ) directly over ice to get all the benefits from extracting coffee using hot water whilst getting the upsides of brewing immediately over ice. Ready for the science? When brewed coffee enters the atmosphere, the oxidation process begins which causes bitterness and stale qualities to appear in the drink. So brewing hot coffee direct over ice retains more sweetness and is a wonderful new experience which you have to try. Everything you ever wanted from a fresh, cool, refreshing summer drink which...

Here at Balance, we are huge fans of Sage coffee machines. Using a Sage Espresso Machine is an incredible way to create world-class coffee right in the comfort of your own home. When paired with a beautiful speciality coffee, you’re onto a winner! However, there are so many questions you need to ask when it comes to choosing and maintaining one of these fancy home coffee machines. In this post, we are going to be answering the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to Sage espresso machines. Choosing a Sage Coffee Machine Which coffee machine should you buy? There are lots of different Sage machines to choose from, so it’s difficult to know which machine would work perfectly in your kitchen and your life! We’re here to help you decide which Sage machine will be the best fit for your needs. Machine Size / Counter Space: First of all, you need to think about space. If you’re upgrading from a piece of filter brewing equipment like a Cafetiere or a Moka pot, then the range of ...

If you’re looking for the perfect after-dinner drink, you’ve come to the right place. We show you how to make the best espresso martini recipe in the UK. The combination of high-quality vodka and delicious speciality coffee makes for a delectably smooth and rich espresso martini cocktail that you can make anytime of the week. Master the recipe and you’ll be inviting your friends round to impress them with your new found espresso making skills. This recipe produces two espresso martini cocktails but you can just scale up the measurements as required. Video Guide: How to make the best Espresso Martini at home: What you’ll need: Ingredients List 100ml vodka (Absolute Vodka or Grey Goose) – preferably a vodka that’s very clean. 25ml of Baileys (Or similar Irish cream alternative) Double espressos x2 – we’ll share your options below. Coffee beans – to garnish (optional) 25ml simple syrup (if you like it sweeter) Ice Cubes Equipment List Cocktail Shaker x2 Martini Glasses S...

There’s nothing more luxurious than a silky latte. But have you ever tried to make one at home? We’ve written this piece so you can learn how to froth milk, without a machine, without spending any money on expensive equipment. While it might not produce the same results as you can achieve using a home espresso machine, it’ll make a damn good equivalent. The science behind a good milk froth Before we talk about the frothing methods, let’s give a quick science lesson about milk foam. Milk is made up of carbohydrates, proteins and fatty acids, which all play a part in creating the foam. When you froth milk (which is essentially just shaking it up), you add air which disrupts the protein. But the protein wants to stay together, so it forms a sort of shield around the air bubbles, which helps them hold their shape longer and protects them from bursting. This is the froth! Therefore, if you want super-foamy froth, look for milk with a higher protein content. Interestingly, different milks...

There are many questions floating around the Internet about coffee. Why is it better to buy whole coffee beans? Why does artisan, speciality coffee taste so much better than any bought at the supermarket? And why should you invest in coffee tools and accessories? In this post, we’re giving you the best 10 coffee tips straight from our Founder James, that will ensure that you make coffee at home like a pro. Whole Beans To really ‘up your coffee game’ you’ll want to buy whole coffee beans and grind them fresh at home. I know it may feel like a real hassle, but it’s one of the most game-changing tips we can share with you if you’re looking to re-create a cafe-style coffee experience at home. You can get a good cup from pre-ground coffee but James compares the ageing of coffee to bread. If you left bread out on the kitchen side, the oxygen would almost immediately start to effect its quality and texture. Pre ground coffee is no different, the flavours will deteriorate almost immediate...