Hello,
Lately, I’ve been questioning my own assumptions about brewing without even realising how strong they were.
For a long time, “clean” coffee meant “better” in my mind. Paper filtered brews gave me clarity, structure, and moments of precision. Like tasting fruit one at a time first strawberry, then, as the cup cooled, something sharp and green like kiwi. It was controlled. It was beautiful. It made sense.
But in cupping, I noticed something different. Instead of single notes stepping forward one by one, everything showed up at once layered, blended, rich. Like throwing a handful of different fruits into a blender and hitting start. The sweetness felt deeper, the body fuller, and yet the flavours still changed as the temperature dropped. That feeling the unexpected of complexity stayed with me.
Out of pure curiosity, I began experimenting with brewers that didn’t rely on paper. First the phin, then the moka pot. I wasn’t chasing nostalgia or aesthetics. I just wanted to understand what would happen if I removed the filter between me and the coffee.
What happened surprised me.
I found a balance I hadn’t experienced before my cup sweetness that felt rounder, complexity that lingered longer, and somehow even fewer fine particles than I’d expected. Cleaner than a French press, but far more expressive than I had imagined possible.
Quietly, I started serving it to a few people. No explanation. No labels. No expectations. they didn’t ask if it was V60 or moka. They just drank it. And they paused. And they smiled.
That’s when I realised something important. People don’t fall in love with a brewing method. They fall in love with a feeling in the cup.
Now I’m considering using these brewers as a standard not as a gimmick, but as a reminder, great coffee doesn’t come from rules, trends or prestige. It comes from curiosity, from questioning what we think we know, and from being willing to taste without assumptions.
For the first time in a while, I don’t feel like I’m mastering coffee.
I feel like I’m listening to it.
The season for the UK Brewers is coming up & I am considering using my curiosity to lead the way, so don't be surprised if you see me using phin brewer or moka pot for compulsory round. It's just that bloody good.
Thank you for joining my weekly catching up, let me know what you've been upto.
Cheers
Also if you wonder where I got my phin brewer from Nam Song came over to say hi during the Manchester coffee festival. You should go and check it out!