From flat whites to V60s, and cold drips to espresso macchiatos, it can be overwhelming when entering a specialty coffee bar. But don’t worry! At EAST, we’re here to help you navigate through it all. We’ll make sure you find the perfect coffee to match your mood in no time. Discover the basics in this blog.

 

BACK TO BLACK COFFEE

Espresso

An espresso is ready for you within 30 seconds. It is a small coffee of about 23 ml. You can therefore imagine that the flavour is very strong. It is the perfect size coffee to taste the difference in coffee beans.

Do you find a single espresso a bit small, but do fancy that strong coffee flavour? Then go for the doppio: a double espresso of around 45 ml.

Americano

This coffee also consists of one espresso as a base. The name of this coffee originated during World War II when American soldiers lengthened their Italian espresso with hot water. The small espresso was a little too strong for them. Today, we still like to make the americano,  but with an upgrade: two espresso with hot water up to about 120 ml.

 

Cold brew

This name already tells a lot about how this coffee is made. We make it with cold water instead of hot water. This takes a bit more time, but the taste is worth it! At EAST, we serve the cold drip coffee with a specific ‘installation’ on the bar. At the top, we fill it with ice cubes that slowly melt over the ground coffee in the middle. Drop by drop, the water pulls all the flavour out of the ground coffee. What you’re left with is a super intense, licorice-like coffee which you haven’t tasted before.

Filter coffee: preparation methods

Filter coffee is a brewing method where hot water filters through ground coffee beans and a filter, extracting flavours and aromas. Unlike espresso, brewed under pressure, filter coffee offers a clearer taste profile, showcasing specialty coffee’s nuances. It often highlights the bean’s acidity, sweetness, and unique flavor notes, delivering a delightful and nuanced coffee experience.

At EAST, we employ four distinct brewing methods, each offering its own unique flavor profile. It’s our mission to determine the most suitable brewing method for each bean to bring out its best qualities.

1. Chemex

A very interesting brewing method. With an extra thick and triple-layered paper filter, this brewing method really brings out the underlying fresh and sweeter notes from your bean. The paper filters the oils and fats out of the coffee and ensures a very clear end result. Both in flavour and in looks.

2.V60

The classic. Many people have seen grandma serving coffee this way. Old-fashioned? No, this is still a great way to brew your coffee. Pooring hot water in a 60-degree angle and a rotating movement, you extract the best flavours from your coffee. This filter paper is slightly thinner than that of the Chemex and gives your coffee more body.

3. Aeropress

This is perhaps the most unusual brewing method for preparing filter coffee. You can experiment with the Aeropress so endlessly that they even organize Dutch championships. How it works! You have two plastic tubes that you can slide into each other. Than it’s time to let the coffee infuse, it will create a vacuum and you can push the coffee through.

4. Batch Brew

Batch brew involves brewing a batch of coffee by passing hot water through a predetermined amount of coffee grounds in a controlled manner. This process allows for consistency in flavor and quality across multiple servings, making it ideal for places like EAST.

 

EXPLORING THE MILK COFFEES

Is a black coffee just too strong for you? Then a coffee with hot milk is probably a better option. Below, we list all the variants with milk so that you know exactly which kind of coffee you want to order from our coffee bar.

 

Cappuccino

One of the most popular coffees with milk is the cappuccino. A drink that may vary from place to place, but the principle is simple: ⅓ espresso, ⅓ hot milk and ⅓ frothed milk. When we froth the milk for a cappuccino, we pour it in from a small height so that the milk mixes well with the espresso. Then we lower the jug, making your favourite latte art with the slightly thicker milk. A deliciously creamy, smooth coffee.

 

 

Latte

‘Latte’ is the Italian word for milk. The ingredient that predominates in this coffee and is therefore also called a latte. In Dutch, you will know it as a ‘koffie verkeerd’ – where the ratio of coffee and milk would be ‘verkeerd’ (wrong) or out of balance. A latte is somewhat similar to the cappuccino, but contains more milk and less foam. We use one shot of espresso and add 200 ml of hot milk. We froth it less than with a cappuccino, making it a creamy cup of coffee with a smooth taste.

 

Flat white

Fancy a nice creamy cup, but also with a more pronounced coffee flavour? Then choose the flat white. For once, the origin of this coffee is not in Italy, but rather around Australia or New Zealand – opinions differ. A flat white is made with a double espresso and topped with hot milk and a thinner layer of milk foam than the cappuccino. Again, let our latte art creations surprise you.

 

Cortado

A Spanish coffee in the list is the cortado, where the name is derived from ‘cortar’ meaning ‘cut’. Indeed, the shot of espresso is said to be ‘cut’ by a touch of milk. A cortado is made with one shot of espresso and topped with hot milk with a little bit of foam. It is only a small coffee of about 90 ml and therefore has the strong coffee flavour, but also the creaminess of the milk.

 

Latte macchiato

You probably know it: a tall glass filled with hot milk and rich foam on top, broken by a dash of dark coffee. We make this coffee by frothing a large amount of milk and pouring it into the glass. Waiting a moment before adding the espresso creates two layers in the milk: liquid and foam. Since coffee has a less heavy consistency than milk, the espresso stays ‘floating’ on top of the milk and you get this nice contrast.

 

Espresso macchiato

Not to be confused with the latte macchiato explained above. The word ‘macchiato’ means ‘spotted’ in Italian. This is exactly what the espresso macchiato is: a small cup with a single espresso to which we add about 2 teaspoons of frothed milk. So you get a cup of coffee with a speck of milk in the middle. Nice and strong but still a bit creamy!

Ice Coffee

You can transform almost any coffee into a chilly ice coffee. Fill a glass with ice and pour your americano, cappuccino or latte over it. You can also brew an espresso or americano, pour over the ice and then add cold milk straight from the carton. Drink it with a straw though – looks festive and it’s safer for your teeth.

 

What’s your cup of coffee?

Now that you’re familiar with our coffee offerings, you’ll know precisely which coffee to order when you visit our coffee bar in EAST. Still unsure? Our head barista Janine and the other baristas will be delighted to assist you! CASA TIP: Buy one of the sustainable Billie Cups to enjoy your coffee more eco-friendly.