QC Department review - Intelligentsia Coffee

TECHNIVORM R&D Summary
Chris Kornman, QC Hotshot / Green Coffee Buyer
The Moccamaster by Technivorm is at the top of its class when it comes to auto-drip
home coffee brewers. Elegant, thoughtful design and abundant technical attention to detail put
the machine well ahead of the majority of its competition. The fact that each brewer is
handmade in Holland – not factory-assembled – adds to the appeal of an unequivocally
exceptional and remarkably simple home coffee experience.
When we recently evaluated coffee brewers we wanted to offer for sale, an interdisciplinary
team representing Intelligentsia staff from Sales, Retail, Marketing, and Quality Control took a
look at a number of different options based on a couple of important criteria, including ease of
use, quality of beverage produced, durability of construction, and aesthetic appeal. We
measured water volumes and temperatures, timed the brew cycles, monitored the spray heads,
extrapolated extraction percentages, and tasted samples blindly to an informed decision about
the best possible option.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS WE REALLY LOVED THE TECHNIVORM DESIGN:
- The super-efficient copper coil heating system brings water to a near-boil and
begins brewing very quickly, and the length of the brew cycle is precisely
timed to optimally extract a full pot in less than 6 minutes.
- There is 1 button: on/off. There’s no need for overly complicated programing to get
a great brew, and the auto-off function conveniently shuts the machine down for
you immediately after brewing.
- The basket is nicely designed to get the most out of even an imprecise grind:
remarkably at a number of distinct grind settings we reached nearly identical
extraction percentages. This means it’s versatile enough to make a great cup of
coffee even if the grind isn’t exactly correct.
- The stainless steel thermal carafe is amongst the most attractive options on the
market, and retains heat efficiently without imparting a bitter flavor
(as can happen in a glass carafe left on a burner).
- In blind tastings against many other auto-drip brewers at various grind settings,
the Technivorm’s performance was near or at the top every time. It consistently
made great coffee our panel described as “the most balanced,” “clean,” and
“smooth.”
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS MACHINE:
- Brew a full cycle with clean water, but no coffee for the first use out of the box.
- Use about 60 grams of coffee at a medium or slightly coarse grind for a 1-liter
brew. Using cold, filtered water will give you the best results.
- Leave the adjustable drip-stop on the brew basket fully open unless you’re brewing
4 cups or less, in which case the halfway option is best. Close it to prevent dripping
when you discard your spent grounds.
- A gentle stir of the grounds in the brew basket about halfway through the brew
cycle will improve your extraction, but it’s not necessary.
- If you’re impatient, water will stop heating and dispensing from the spray head
when you pull away the carafe from the brew basket, however this will reduce the
quality of your coffee.
- Preheating your carafe will keep your coffee hotter for longer.
Never put it in the dishwasher.

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