Japan isn’t necessarily the first country with which you would associate coffee. America maybe. Italy for sure. But the fact is, there is a thriving coffee culture in Japan. Japanese coffee is very creative and, as you would expect, expertly made. Join us as we take an explorative journey through the world of Japanese coffee, pausing for a look at Japanese coffee culture, and discovering the scientific Japanese coffee brewing methods for which the nation has become renowned.
What is Japanese coffee?
Japan as a country is well-known for its efficiency, discipline and grace. And Japanese coffee culture is a mirror of these virtues.
In a country where everything is fast moving and there’s a renowned hard working ethos, it is perhaps not surprising to learn that there are places to buy coffee at every turn. From canned coffee vending machines, to high end Japanese coffee shops selling hand crafted beverages blended with precision, there is something for everyone.
Japan is a country that’s known for its inventive and experimental nature, and when it comes to Japanese coffee those attributes certainly apply, with an inbred desire to brew the perfect cup, and a leaning towards a scientific approach in order to achieve it. Japan is also one of the world’s largest importers of coffee.
Japanese coffee brewing methods
The Japanese as a nation have been regularly consuming coffee since the early 1900s. During this time, Japanese coffee brewing methods have been honed into a fine art.
As with countless Japanese traditions, when it comes to their coffee, the Japanese have a preference for slower brewing techniques. The slower the brewing process, the richer and smoother the flavour, and the more intense the complex notes of the beans. Japanese coffee brewers adopt a distinctly different approach than their American counterparts, who tend to favour a fast-blend style.
Drip coffee brewing is one of those methods, allowing the complexity of flavours to come through. Wondering how to make Japanese coffee? There’s an art and a science to it for sure, and there are three key factors that need to be mastered in order to achieve the perfect taste and quality.
These factors are the freshness of the ground coffee beans, the ratio of hot water to coffee, and the temperature of the hot water.
The optimum temperature for the hot water should be between 85 and 90 degrees Celsius. Certainly short of boiling.
Using the drip coffee brewing method, it’s important to avoid pouring all the water in at once. This will result in it reacting with the tannins in the coffee, which can lead to a bitter taste. So, as the name would suggest, drip coffee calls for methodical dripping of the hot water over the ground coffee. Patience is essential.
As the coffee reacts to the heat, it will begin to rise and billow, and the liquid will gradually start to collect in the pot. Very soon, you’ll have the perfect cup of coffee, just the way the Japanese like it.
Looking for a Japanese coffee shop in London? Visit Rathbone Square!
Whether you’re starting your day with a caffeine kick, you need a lunchtime pick me up after a hectic morning, or you’re simply intrigued by the concept of Japanese coffee, if you’re in London and looking for a Japanese coffee shop, you’re in luck.
Coffee connoisseur Omotesando Koffee is renowned throughout the world for its Japanese coffee, brewed to order right in front of your eyes by expert baristas in white lab coats.
Nestled in the heart of Rathbone Square in West London, Omotesando Koffee is a truly exclusive, boutique-style café serving exceptional Japanese coffee in an unfussy, minimalistic setting with light wood detail, typical of Japanese interior design.
Relax and enjoy the simplicity of your surroundings, as the dedicated coffee scientists cultivate their magic.
The service at Omotesando Koffee is outstanding, as you would expect from a Japanese organisation. If you have a penchant for a certain type of coffee, you will find it here. And if you fancy a bite to eat to go with your perfectly brewed beverage, then you’ll be met with a wide variety of mouth-watering traditional Japanese pastries to indulge your taste buds. So much more than just a Japanese coffee shop, Omotesando is an experience, and one to savour and enjoy.
Rathbone Square is a hidden oasis of tranquillity just off Oxford Street in London’s West End. Why not pay a visit next time you’re in town, and try an exquisite Japanese coffee for yourself?
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