How To Win Friends & Caffeinate People

Today we're going to brew lots of delicious coffee for lots of lovely people, because sharing amazing coffee is a lot of fun!
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Related Videos:
My Espresso Technique: • How I Make Espresso: T...
My Ultimate French Press Method: • The Ultimate French Pr...
The Ultimate AeroPress Technique: • The Ultimate AeroPress...
Brewers and equipment used in the video:
Sage Bambino Plus
DF64 Grinder
A Cheap French Press
AeroPress XL
Etkin 8 Cup Dripper and Carafe
Orea Big Boy
Lots of nice cups, including some lovely custom Barkley cups from the delightful @internetshaquille
Links:
Patreon: / jameshoffmann
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My Books:
How to Make The Best Coffee At Home: geni.us/howtomakethebestcoffee
The World Atlas of Coffee: geni.us/atlasofcoffee
The World Atlas of Coffee Audiobook: bit.ly/worldatlasofcoffeeaudio
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Find me here:
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Things I use and like:
My video kit*: kit.co/jimseven/video-making-...
My current studio coffee kit*: kit.co/jimseven/studio-coffee...
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My glasses: bit.ly/boldlondon
My hair product of choice: geni.us/forthehair
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[@AnthonyTeasdale]

You know you are a weird coffee person, when you pull out a ready portioned amount of decaf coffee from your freezer.

[@andyswibes]

My partner loves a decaf and we absolutely have it in the freezer portioned out!

[@alexhenao7072]

@@andyswibes Same here. I drink coffee everyday; my partner only occasionally drinks de-caf cuz she loves the smell and taste so we keep it in the freezer but I didn't think to pre-dose it!!😅😄

[@faultier3782]

never looked into decaf, why do you guys keep it in the freezer?

[@LexiK1820]

😂. But that’s probably part of his likability among his friends.

[@matthewzammit]

I feel seen! I have coffee (decaf and not) in the freezer packed in 30g portions ready for a moka pot

[@Fluff-gl6yr]

Fair play to James for making an elaborate meal, and some nice coffee for everyone at the table. It’s rare to show such hospitality to one’s hostages

[@StrixyN]

The brilliant editing makes it impossible to spot the moment he adds the iocane powder to all of the espresso drinks.

[@fatboylouie]

​@@StrixyNbut only slightly less well known is this, never serve a sicilian milk based espresso beverages when death is on the line!

[@robertmcgorray5806]

...Checking to see if James has the normal amount of fingers....

[@blutcherama]

I don’t know about the elaborate meal part. His kitchen does not look cooked in. :)

[@blakksheep736]

​@@blutcherama well, its probably a studio set, not a proper kitchen.

[@andy_cooks]

James, i've been watching you for years and love how you deliver your knowledge and your production level just keeps getting better and better. Kudos to you and the team!

[@murtazapishori1390]

When your favourite chef comments on your favourite coffee person's video! 🥳

[@Campfire_Bandit]

+

[@seanmurphy126]

We need a collaboration gents!?

[@panajotov]

We need the two of you asap doing something fun! Please make it happen!!

[@khaledramadan862]

Couldn't agree more

[@sleazybukkake]

Tip for the French press: when the brew is ready, pour out the clear coffee to another large vessel in one smooth action, taking care at the end to take as little sediment as possible. Pouring multiple times stirs up the fine sediment, and inevitably the later pours will have more sediment than the early pours. The technique, known as decanting, is pretty common in wine or tea service. In addition to separating sediment, it also allows for a more uniform experience for your guests.

[@DNGR369]

Buy an ESPRO and never bother with sediment again

[@ms-jl6dl]

Or pour it through a coffee filter.

[@jnam00]

@@DNGR369 can you do 70g of coffee with an ESPRO?

[@erlenken]

That's how I do it! I put it through another (metal mesh) filter.

[@alibaba-yf8ur]

The fines clog the filter@@ms-jl6dl

[@brundelfly1]

James seemingly has the ability to clone himself, which no doubt comes in quite useful when your awkward friends order 5 different drink types.

[@johnyeah183]

aka Dr. ManHoffttan :)

[@Batzr]

Seemingly? We already know and love his fruity clone with the moustache.

[@-Jester]

Just be wary of his evil twin brother, Hames Joffmann.

[@phoenixz7011]

And also have his clones live in a sped-up timeline. this is OP

[@alanelassad]

With a simple regular pourover brewer and a properly sized carafe you can do one brew in the kitchen, boil water again, bring everything to the table and do your pour over show to the guests with the second brew (on top of the first). The temperature of the two combined batches will be also closer to perfect

[@ThePro455]

I'm continually amazed by the increasing production quality while not taking away from the information and story telling. Definitely does not go unnoticed, great content!

[@benjaminnanke]

That spotlight/push zoom at the beginning was CRISP.

[@porsche911c]

@@benjaminnanke That was so sick! It brought a huge smile to my face.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Yeah, I'm loving this era of James Hoffman.

[@angelabuenafeYT]

My thoughts exactly😊

[@angelabuenafeYT]

​@@benjaminnanke i had to replay it . very nice 😊

[@joshshirtcliffe]

I’d like to give recognition to the colour grading in that dining room and kitchen. Brilliant work! And also, I LOVE that you’ve created a video about this. It’s so relevant, and great!

[@howienordstrom1290]

Definitely some thoughtfulness in every way going on. I truly felt like a welcome guest.

[@MurCurieux]

turn up orange... done.

[@jlukeg]

Haha I definitely have the identity of the "Coffee Guy" in my friend groups. Fun Stuff! Chapters: 00:00:00 - Making Coffee for a Group 00:01:15 - Brewing Specialty Coffee After Midday 00:02:29 - Adjusting the Dose and Grind Size for Espresso 00:03:41 - Making Espresso-based Drinks 00:04:50 - Being Present with Others 00:05:58 - Explore Different Meditation Techniques 00:07:08 - Brewing the Perfect French Press Coffee 00:08:25 - Brewing Tips with the AeroPress 00:09:40 - Brewing a Double Strength Coffee with an AeroPress 00:10:58 - Introducing Large Format Pour-Over Brewers 00:12:17 - A New Large Format Pour-Over Brewer 00:13:33 - Considerations for Brewing Coffee for a Group 00:14:41 - Technique for Brewing with Different Brewers 00:15:52 - Brewing Tips for Better Tasting Coffee 00:17:13 - Brewing for Brunch 00:18:19 - Considerations when serving coffee with food 00:19:28 - Thank You for Watching

[@maheshprabhu]

This needs to be pinned at the top of the comments.

[@AndrewMclean]

Being the ‘coffee guy’ in group situations is equal parts embarrassing and also my time to geek out!

[@HighTide_808]

Need to change your name to Andrew McBean

[@AndrewMclean]

@@HighTide_808 😂😂😂😂

[@GOTHICforLIFE1]

Why embarrassing ? It's a great knowledge to have in such a central part of people's life. It's like being embarrassed for being a food enthusiast, or a being really into fitness etc. As long as you don't talk about it as every moment with people that aren't as interested of course, but that's less about your interests, and more about you 😂

[@TamarLitvot]

As a numbers person and a weaver and a political junky, I'm often the weird person in any group. Being the coffee person would make me seem almost normal.

[@kruks]

I have almost an identical name to you (my last name has the Americanized spelling). Is it a prerequisite that we're into coffee?

[@coleyoung912]

Watching you use the Bambino for the first example in this video brought lots of happiness over here! I’m grateful that, despite your access to so many ultra high end espresso machines, you chose to use an affordable espresso machine in this illustration to show the practicality of what you’re suggesting here. Thanks James, you’re a breath of fresh air!

[@jonathandavies9451]

100%

[@moosesoloose]

Same for me with the DF64 grinder which is what I use at home.

[@samjohns3227]

I love my bambino machine for my lattes so noticed it right off!!

[@coldblue42]

It's an excellent choice, especially considering that it shows you don't really need a dual boiler for the occasional dinner function

[@MattFrancis1]

For me this embodies everything James is about. Yes he is a committed coffee snob, willingly acknowledging that, but ALL he wants is for you to find the coffee you like and enjoy but doesn’t judge you in that.

[@michael_17213]

My first “espresso” machine was a $40 Amazon purchase that most certainly just makes concentrated coffee, but because it makes four portions, and most people want milk drinks, I find it’s a perfect tool for hosting. My friends aren’t the most coffee snob types, and I’ll happily dismount my high horse to have a good dinner party

[@axelbostrom3606]

Moka pot "americano" is what I plan to do when I go out sailing or camping with my friends. Easy to bring with you, easy to prepp, easy to clean up! At home I tend to make one or more batches of pour over unless someone specifically asks me for espresso. I find pour over with medium roasts to be the easiest coffee to please everyone's palette. 😊

[@Kinngh]

I have to double check if it's James Hoffman or Hames Joffman just to ensure I'm on the right state of mind 💀

[@RusselynConnor]

My husband is known as "The World's Slowest Barista". But, that's okay, because our kitchen/great room is also where everyone gathers in our house, so he makes coffee (Aeropress and/or french press) right there at the kitchen Island where they are gathered. Thanks for another fun and interesting video!

[@martinba9629]

Where we live, having a open kitchen integrated with the dining area is kinda the norm, at least for anything built in the last 20 yrs. So me, I'm not leaving the group when I make coffee, even if I just use my trusty old bean-to-cup machine anyway :-D

[@MrWiseinheart]

I was going to say that's how my kitchen is and I'm still part of the group while making them coffee ☕ .

[@CodyCleggMusic]

I found this so weirdly entertaining and helpful. I've definitely had several hangs at my apartment where people considered me the "Weird coffee enthusiast" and I've felt the pressure to deliver a delicious cup. I've always found it surprising how long you do end up being away from the group (I usually end up making espresso drinks since people see it as a bit of a "special treat"). There's a weird amount of stress that comes with timing things and considering how hot people's drinks are and who gets their drink first etc. Anyway, loved the video and felt seen 😅

[@specteramber]

Serving order at a dinner table is traditionally counterclockwise, starting with the person to the right of the host, so the host gets served last. So, if you're the host, you'd make your own drink last anyway, because there's no point in leaving it to cool down, while you're making others'

[@MrWiseinheart]

It's good to hear that I'm not the only one of these scenarios 😅

[@HarleyDavidson-ze6rs]

I absolutely love the editing of this video and the cuts! It's super fun the way it is shot and the coffee looks fantastic. This was super inspiring and makes me wanna throw a dinner party soon! Thanks James

[@coffeeboy971]

When making coffee for groups I always pick the smallest brewer. No better excuse to be by yourself for 40+ minutes then making amazing coffee! The group is happy, I'm happy, everybody's happy!

[@TamarLitvot]

That would have been the perfect solution for me when I used to be required to go to big events at my in-laws. I should have thought of it! (no longer necessary since the central people are gone and I can and do skip all the big events).

[@helgijonsson3537]

Idk man, I'd be pretty upset about waiting 40 minutes for a cup of coffee...

[@Frostbiker]

@@helgijonsson3537and cold coffee, at that!

[@Weeem]

@ 00:10 One day I will suddenly and randomly launch into a monologue towards the corner of the room during a dinner party to freak the guests out lol

[@IdentifiantE.S]

😶

[@blakesutton6371]

One thing I would add from my experience is that if I’m taking the role of coffee brewing at breakfast brunch, it’s almost critical that someone else handles the majority of the cooking. Love the bit about the eggs affecting perceived acidity. Did not know this.

[@jnlsgrc]

Came for the weird coffee person, stayed for the impressive writing, directing, and cinematography! WOW 🤩

[@AyAy008]

I've made the mistake of serving my guests some really nice single origin Ethiopian coffee in the past. They always asked for cream and sugar after the first sip. I served some of my guests latte/cappuccino made with the coffee from my moka pot. All they said was, "it's good, but it's very strong". So I stopped serving my precious coffee to non-coffee people. I just keep a jar of instant coffee for them.

[@tektrixter]

When I have a bag that gets a little stale I'll put it in the freezer for those types of people. It is still better than what they are used to, and a bit different, but not wasting fine coffee on course pallets.

[@Getpojke]

Punish them by getting a jar of Mellow Birds instant "coffee". I stopped accepting coffee at peoples houses until I knew what they drank after a cup of that. Thankfully not many people drink it anymore.

[@lisakaramba3251]

Some people prefer a higher water to coffee Ratio. For my friends I make an effort to serve them what they will probably like and so far it‘s been appreciated. No need to punish anyone just for a different taste..

[@mingenluo4042]

Specialty coffee is really not for everyone

[@Getpojke]

@@lisakaramba3251 Haha, sorry I was joking when I said punish them. They're my friends & I want them to have a nice time. So if they don't like my themed or good coffee I'll happily make them what they want. One of the reasons I like the Philips bean to cup machine I have is that I can just punch in the drink they like & allocate them a slot in the memory.That way they get what they like whenever they like it & it doesn't distract me from whatever more complicated method I'm playing with for others. Food & drink are best experienced & shared with friends.☕😃

[@unol]

My go to method for a large group is to use my bodum Santos syphon. The capacity is huge, you can brew at the table, and the theatrical element is fun. If you've got a rep as the weird coffee person, may as well go all out weird.

[@errgo2713]

You just maxed out the kudos points. Great idea.

[@Getpojke]

I was just commenting elsewhere that I like to dig out my late fathers refurbished Cona Syphon. People love to watch it brew at the table & it fills the room with a great coffee scent. The Bodum Santos looks a lovely piece of kit.

[@blareck]

KZbin should add love in addition to like button just for your videos. Someone once said to me that doing something special with a lot of ingredients is easy the interesting thing is do something special with a few ingredients… you are the best example of it. You and your passion for coffee not just give love for coffee but also love for life. Thanks a lot

[@5L1V3R]

It is great to see the amount of production value you are putting in your videos. It is like watching a short movie. Great job!

[@Dschaez]

I usually don’t like to serve coffee to guests because I feel like the biggest problem is that the more you are into coffee the less likely it is that your friends like the type of coffee you enjoy yourself. Therefor they will most probably not be too happy with the coffee you serve, especially when it comes to acidity.

[@UloPe]

That’s why I always keep a bag of „traditional“ espresso roast around (and even have one myself once in a while)

[@Dschaez]

@@UloPe So do i. But I don’t enjoy serving it too much. People expect sth. special from me because they know I’m into coffee but the moment I serve sth. special they don’t like it. That’s not too much fun.

[@illuminant777XtX]

Same just have something a little bit on the stronger roasted part at hand. Most people like that.@@UloPe

[@huckthatdish]

I have a more medium roast washed coffee around for exactly this reason.

[@danjames7685]

Yeah, but that's all part of hosting. Its like choosing the right playlist for a party - you can't just put on a load of songs that you like, you have to play something the crowd are going to enjoy as well. Its the same with coffee in a group setting. Pick a crowd pleaser, a nice washed Brazilian or Colombian with some sweetness and body to it. You're more likely to win people over that way than by giving them a double thermal-shock, anaerobic, lactic, carbonic macerated cup of coffee.

[@SashaGrace94]

James - There’s 8 of us Me, sipping my espresso knowing I will never invite 8 people to my house because I don’t even have 8 friends - *starts sweating* Seriously though, the video is awesome and super handy if you ever do make coffee for a crowd!

[@GreyManFaustus]

I think I invited a total of 2 people within the last 5 years. I still bought all the coffee gear.

[@navienslavement]

Funny and relatable!

[@dhlehrenlos]

sipping my tea because I don’t even make coffee at home. The fact that I watch coffee videos is funny in itself, but watching a full video about how to make coffee for a group of 8 is kinda absurd 😂 I guess James videos are just that good haha

[@stirfryjedi]

Don't worry, Hames will set the record straight to remind us that it was all an illusion, I was home by myself the whole time and don't have any friends.

[@ek-nz]

@@stirfryjediand don’t even really like coffee…

[@cyrilio]

Drug: coffee Dose: variety Setting: with friends Great setup for how to properly take a substance. Loving it James.

[@gb1000sx]

This video totally nailed my experiences with guests and serving coffe at home! And I really liked the idea of brewing to different coffees for comparison or use two different brewing methods 👌🏻. Thanks James! 🙏🏻

[@TommyWalker1991]

I keep being blown away by the production value of your videos. It keeps on getting better and better. Props to everyone involved both in front of and behind the camera! 👏👏👏

[@wenchbyatt]

In my experience, I found that a very large mokka pot (10+ cups) works wonders. It's strong enough that people wanting an espresso will be satisfied as is, it can be made into an Americano or a milk drink very easily. Besides, the look of the brewer tends to have people reassured in some way that this is not a completely out there experience, and is going to be somewhat traditional

[@isthatrubble]

that's how my dad has always done it, get out the big boy moka pot for most guests, with instant as a backup

[@TamarLitvot]

But from this U.S. coffee-drinker's POV, the "very large" Bialetti type pot actually isn't large at all. Our 6-cup Bialetti makes a nice-sized cup of coffee. For people after dinner in my house, a 10-cup would maybe give us enough for 2 people.

[@Abdullah-cj2mh]

@@TamarLitvotBro… you’re not supposed to drink it like a mug of an Americano or something…

[@wenchbyatt]

@@TamarLitvot that's... A concerning amount of caffeine A 10 cup mokka pot holds about 35-40g of ground coffee, and a shot of espresso takes about 7g. So that's about 5-6 shots of espresso worth of caffeine in one of those.

[@ilovepudding7873]

@@wenchbyattthis, the only reason my european ass bought the 6 cup is because i sometimes have 5 coffee drinkers in my house and brewing once is way easier than brewing, cooling, cleaningand then brewing again. I usually just make americanos or espressos.

[@chucknovak]

Your production value is so freaking good. I mean you set the mood so perfectly. Why do you decide to do such a phenomenal job on it? Thank you!

[@gawayne1374]

I didn't realize when I first saw the title, but I appreciate the reference. In my school, reading that book actually lost you friends and won you bullies.

[@Riceguy01]

Two economical options with less hands-on time that weren’t mentioned: the drip machine (breville, etc) and Moka pot.

[@ek-nz]

When he says batch brewer he means drip machine EDIT: he means a fancy drip machine

[@masamunesword]

Rather surprised you didn't mention the OG in large format pour over style brewers: The Chemex! This has been my go to for brewing for groups for a long time since it has a large capacity, is relatively straightforward to brew and looks nice on the table to boot.

[@Howey926]

Yeah. Seems like a rare oversight.

[@nibrasso]

That’s also my choice for this kind of situations.

[@SheilalaHerz]

What's the capacity? Does it work for a group of 8?

[@Howey926]

@@SheilalaHerz I have a 1 liter, which is big enough, and it's cooler to look at. It does brew slower, which I think was James' complaint in past videos, but I've had chemex serviced with desert at restaurants and it's a great touch because it looks so classy.

[@RecklessFables]

​​@@SheilalaHerzRealtalk, when I have to serve that many people, I pull out my 25-year-old drip Mr. coffee. I've tested hand-pour vs drip for my friends and the key is freshly roasted beans, ground at that moment. And I have time to clear the table, prepare dessert, etc. Edit: Yes, I realize this is not the appropriate audience for that level of convenience 😂

[@michaelrabon1189]

The production of this video was so great! I love the change of pace/seeing you in a home setting. Makes it feel really approachable.

[@Biomechan]

Recently I offered 8-10 flat-whites in the row with a single boiler espresso machine.. I must have been stuck in the kitchen for 1 hour!! Good thing though the open kitchen format, people's curiocity drove them close to me checking my weirdness (commentating it along the way) as I was preparing each drink! That was fun! WDT seemed to be the most peculiar of my coffee toys; the voodoo coffee wand!! In the end, for a one time thing it's nice, people perceived it like a show but I don't believe it will keep up their curiocity for a 2nd or 3rd time; neither will my enthusiasm keep its high when I will have to spend a 2nd or 3rd hour of my life brewing coffees with a domestic espresso machine. I think having two-three brewers as a tasting experience would actually be more interesting from now on!

[@PandaD2]

We regularly host for our small Italian family. The 6 cup moka pot and 2 cup pour over seems to please everyone. I absolutely think the moka pot is the way to go for large gatherings. Get two 12 cup moka pots going on 2 stovetop burners and you can still enjoy conversations with 23 others while waiting for the sound of the boil. :)

[@DNGR369]

If you want the worst possible coffee experience of all the ones listed and this, choose a Moka Pot. If you want to do something special, do any of these except a Moka pot. People use those in their daily life, it's not impressive or special whatsoever. Zero control of the brewing process you just wait and hope it hasn't been overdone.

[@PandaD2]

@@DNGR369 Like I said, it is my family from Italy and it is what they are used to. They are the ones who introduced me to that style and it is what we do for all occasions so we spend more time together and less time fiddling with a 2 cup machine. My American friends seem to enjoy it too. Also, the trick to keep it from burning is to heat the water separately first and then assemble the moka pot. Take it off the burner as soon as the coffee reaches the bottom of the spout and it will stop boiling right as it finishes. Hope that helps!

[@johnnym2503]

James actually has a really nice series on the Moka pot. It's been a go-to brewer for me and my family for years (we're Polish). Awesome for family gatherings, but I would say definately boil water before brewing, and don't hold it on the stove until it starts making sounds - take it off as soon as the sputtering starts. Requires you to watch the pot the whole time, but it lasts no more that a few minutes, and the results are much better imo. My parents never do it though, and the coffee is still fine most of the time. I'd say to me the taste of a well-brewed moka pot is preferable to most pour-overs usually, and I definitely wouldn't say there's zero control over the process - it doesn't offer as much control as say Aeropress, but it's a well designed brewer, so it can produce consistent results.@@PandaD2

[@ligerfive]

I use a 6-cup Chemex for the three coffee drinkers in my family nearly every morning, I'm sure the 8-cup version would work just as well. As Mr. Hoffman mentioned, the trickiest part is having enough hot water on hand. I bought a $20 kettle off of Amazon and use it to top off my Fellows gooseneck when water gets low. The Etkin looks interesting, thanks for the vid!

[@jimfeldman4035]

I was surprised he didn't mention the Chemex. A V60 would handle the two decaf drinkers

[@danielstorll4537]

I was surprised to see the lack of chemex mentioned in video

[@angelo_af]

​@@danielstorll4537as I.

[@Yannerson]

I got the large Chemex for Christmas for this reason. Works well, for me.

[@Viniter]

Yeah, I feel like Chemex isn't too liked in the modern specialty coffee circles, but these are the kinds of contexts it excels at in my opinion.

[@arom8438]

You nailed this subject. I’m telling its down right stressful being the “coffee guy” being “new” and having a big Hispanic family.. 😅.. thanks for your knowledge, your kind spirit and downright awesomeness you bring to everything you do.

[@stokesbradley]

Such a great video, so bloody relatable and Ive never seen this process spoken about in such detail.

[@jensbaumeister]

It can make sense to prepare a batch of cold brew, too, and offer that as an option. If some guests go for that, it means less time spent in the kitchen during the dinner/brunch itself.

[@Tibyon]

That's my thought. Easy and crowd pleasing. You could also have some cold sweet cream to pour on top to have that beautiful contrast, and it will taste so much better than Starbucks

[@LeninGlass]

Yeah I am not sure why this was not covered

[@moeleraky]

It's definitely an option to consider but cold brew, although can be enjoyable, it doesn't taste as crisp and bright as fresh brews and doesn't really represent the qualities of coffee beans you paid for. Not ideal when you're the "coffee guy" trying to impress your guests and showing them what the fuss is all about.

[@Scatterpattern]

Yeah and James hates cold brew

[@kruks]

@@moeleraky - Very much in agreement. I can't stand cold brew coffee and even though I'm all for people enjoying what they enjoy, if I'm going to show off my coffee, I'm going to show it off the way I enjoy it.

[@HerrMeier007]

I honestly never had 8 guests over I think 😂 For groups of 4 or less I usually make espresso based drinks. Anything other than that, I’ll use a large Moka Pot. It’s my personal favourite whenever I can’t have espresso, so I like sharing that with everyone, since most people don’t have a Moka Pot at home.

[@meatgeorge]

I have had 8 guests over, however coffee is never a consideration. The dinner is usually barbeque, pizza, something involving the outdoor kitchen, and the drinks are usually beer.

[@ReelBigBigFish]

folks always like when I bust out the 18 'cup' moka pot, even if they've seen one they've rarely seen the big boy

[@ysabelcornelivre3392]

I have two large Bialettis just for guests. It's pretty fast, makes great coffee and doesn't take up too much space to store.

[@sammu]

I absolutely loved the idea behind this video. It was incredibly practical and useful. I have been in this situation countless number of times and learned a lot. Thanks as always James!

[@leinternethipster]

The non-coffee people I've served have always said my ratios have been a big strong, and the coffee enthusiasts in my life say it's perfect. I generally have never served more than myself and two others at a time, just because I don't have a large circle of coffee enthusiast friends. With that said, I'm really excited to use this video as I try to move into the realm of serving larger groups and continuing to learn about coffee and palette's!

[@todorkatsarski7487]

I don't remember when was the last time when I'd have 8 guests and they would ask for a coffee at the same time (if ever). That said if this happens it would take me more than an hour to make the coffee for all of them.

[@michaeldimmitt2188]

@@todorkatsarski7487LOLOL! Me too! I excitedly grabbed my 10 cup Chemex thinking it would cover an 8-9 guest brunch coffee delivery, but my humble hand grinder produced so many fines that it took over 10 minutes to finish the draw down! And that with stirring and lifting the filter! I REALLY need a good grinder!

[@marklyons4366]

Palates

[@heatherlynnrigaud7385]

The timing on this is remarkable. I just came back from 2 weeks camping (luxury camping) with a dozen people and as the coffee weirdo in the group, I was in charge of the daily offering. About a third of our group were committed tea people, so that got us around the 8 guests in your example. Like you, I went with the French Press for the masses. I used some Costa Rica medium roasts ground medium. I measured out 55 grams for a 1-liter pot. (Probably could have gone higher) I did catch some comments on my scale, but where I go, so goes my scale. We made three pots a morning and it worked fairly well. I did bring a 9-cup Moka for a more 'espresso-like' experience, but truthfully, I only used it once. I also did do mid-afternoon Vietnamese coffee pick-ups, using 5 phins, which were very easy to do over ice with canned sweetened condensed milk.

[@ryanevius]

Anyone with 5 phins is a "weird coffee person" in my book. High five!

[@ozanesici]

I know it might not be everyone’s cup of coffee but preparing a litter of cold brew 12 hours prior is just the quickest cup you can possibly prepare if you really don’t want to stay away from the table. Also James’ japanese Ice coffee also works pretty well since you’re using less water so you can prepare about 4 cups in a v60.

[@Harmonikdiskorde]

This is what we do for shape note singing conventions in Seattle -- 3-4 tins of preground Costco beans turned into cold brew concentrate diluted with hot water day of.

[@DNGR369]

Too much caffeine in cold brew

[@mdt13]

Yes making cold brew before the time as a concentrate and then diluted with warm water, is such a beautiful coffee.

[@CobaltArcher]

Thank you so much for addressing this aspect of enjoying coffee. I have faced every single one of these challenges, and it's wonderful to see such a thorough consideration of this unique but important situation. Thank you again! Well done.

[@Angellond]

I often host people for D&D groups, but have never thought of serving small cups of coffee. Thanks for the idea. I’ll be trying it at my next group.

[@rdpsysium7340]

I really like that, even though sponsored, you brought up how you can just have some quiet breathing moments while making coffee. Coffee is literally part of my mental healthcare. If my therapist asks how I'm going to take care of myself after a particularly taxing session, it's usually making coffee for myself. Sitting outside with it for a few moments with the plants and trees. It's not much, but it helps.

[@jlofs123]

Always wanted James to do a deep dive on food pairings with coffee, only got a tease today

[@AdamJRichardson]

I've heard mint goes well with coffee

[@EtkinDesign]

Thank you, James! We’re so honored to be included in this video!

[@tonyperotti9212]

I’ve been struggling with this exact thing for years. Thanks for this video!!!

[@yorusign]

My preferred method of making coffee for a crowd after dinner is using a large siphon coffee maker with a wick (Cona) and letting it brew on the table. Watching it brew is quite relaxing and a great conversation piece, and as a bonus your time away from your friends is kept to a minimum.

[@sh8736]

A friend had one of these in the 90s it was great, sadly his exploded once at the table it was a tad messy…

[@laranjo5999]

I just have a huge french press and a huge Bialetti Aluminum Moka pot for these situations. Moka's concentrated flavour just means everyone gets a strong Americano, meaning less brewing needed, as you'll dilute a little bit and the coffee will serve more people.

[@HeyPedroBro]

exactly...

[@miguelamaral3389]

I had a really great time watching this video. Almost 20 minutes and I was enjoying the whole time! Well done James.

[@jhsoup4393]

Love the content, always something new and always improving in production quality. I even stayed for the ad read!!

[@Drazer012]

James i ADORE the editing and style you put into this video, very well done.

[@valenzano]

Production on your videos has always been great, and somehow, you and your team find a way to raise the bar every time. Fantastic content as always, James. Thank you!

[@jonoleslie]

This really is top quality content, James’ knowledge and passion delivered in an engaging and useful way. Bravo!

[@agwasp]

I have my barista express and realistically a half decent brew on that is enough for me most of the time. I can make a great French press too (thanks James!). But I still watch all these videos - that’s a testament to the quality of James’ content!

[@TheOddKris]

Gotta love that title reference, and I love you for it ❤️

[@Shornetastic]

I thought you had a new coffee assistant working in the background and realized far too late that it was you haha. Great video and love the fact that you mentioned mise en place and people sharing the experience at the same time - something that seems to be overlooked even in some restaurants/cafes!

[@deluxgaming6742]

I work in a café and I also have a nice set up for brewing coffee at home and whenever I get the chance I make coffee for friends and family. I gotta say there is some special energy to sharing your passion for coffee with the people you love.

[@louiseredman4207]

This video is superbly edited. Really enjoyed watching this, thanks James.

[@khcstewie]

This is such a great subject to cover, especially since most coffee content centers around brewing for one. Thanks, James!

[@shabkumar2879]

James health episode and now this are probably some of the best edited and shot videos. The whole script, cuts, lighting. He has defined his own directing style. Even Wes Anderson would be proud.

[@WhooNiki]

This video absolutely blew my mind. Not only content wise but also the production and editing!!! So too good! 😀

[@scout8112]

These videos are sooo well done, informative and entertaining. Everything is prepared with the utmost calm and shown step by step. I appreciate that very much.

[@cuttersidwell]

Absolutely amazing content. My love for coffee started as a kid at my first cup. But i had no idea the world of coffee could be so fun and interesting. This channel opens my mind. These videos are my meditation! ❤

[@whosgonnadotcom]

The entire pour over process is a Zen activity, right? I spend most of my day multitasking, and love the 4 minutes where I do only one thing: make coffee.

[@chemistrykrang8065]

Yep. 4 minutes of "make a V60, feed the cats" in the morning is my little self care thing... and the best thing is no mess with a V60!

[@WisePenguin007]

I rarely have visitors, so the experience of brewing for some many people is something I haven't experienced yet. But I had the chance to make coffee to a couple of neighbors not long ago that had their preconceptions of coffee shattered after I presented them with a couple of flat whites from my espresso machine. Thank you very much, James, for helping me discover the wonderful world of being a weird coffee person :)

[@borzica]

The editing and story boarding of this video is amazing.

[@KTOWNK1D]

This is me every single time I have a gathering at my home. My family and friends know that I am a former barista, so the expectations are high. What I tend to do is that I will have them write down what coffee drinks they want ahead of time. Now the way my home is set up is an open floor plan, so I am able to place my coffee bar right next to my dining table. It can be a bit rude in that my back will be turned to my guests majority of the time, however, I try to keep things casual by still participating in the conversations while making drinks. Before dinner (or whenever my party is to begin), I look at what they've written and start prepping things. Then, once the party begins, I'll try to finish eating about 10 to 15 minutes before hand in order to start making drinks. Thankfully, being a former barista is helpful with speeding things up, but just like James it can still take about 20 minutes -- at any one given time, most times longer since I've had anywhere between 10 to 18 drinks ordered at one time -- yes I tend to have a lot of guests over. In that time, I tend to recruit a helper to start serving drinks while I'm still making them. It's fun to share one's skills, but it can be VERY exhausting. It all lies in preparation.

[@darktompol]

I've become the coffee guy on scouting camp and I must say that making really good coffee is manageable for larger groups. I just find or make whatever that holds a paper filter, chuck it on an old water bottle and pour with a ladle or something (with the help of my trusty hario scale of course). Making coffee like that with other people is really fun and a great way to have a nice calm chat in the morning while doing something you love :)

[@noxnext]

Unfortunately I discovered this channel and this genius of a man only a few weeks ago! I‘m binge watching every video James made ever since! 😅 Keep on with these videos, showing your knowledge and your wonderful British sense of humour! Greetings from Munich, Germany! 🇩🇪 ❤👍

[@Yorknewbie]

Great quality video!! Love this cinematic style. I’ve been a fan for years and the videos just keep getting better !!

[@yangc3242]

Love all the philosophical side of making coffee for friends! Thanks for the great video!

[@notbenh]

I'd love to see a large format pour-over battle off and how it all compares with the chemex.

[@Omnomnomabom]

I love the warm palette this video has, definitely feels like a cozy wrap up to a nice night with friends.

[@thehoov6672]

This was exceptional production quality. Very well done. Real time and sped up vids combined. 👌👌

[@AGeeksTouch]

The perfect video to watch while I'm making espresso!

[@IdentifiantE.S]

Its THE moment

[@BreatheHydrogen]

The best suggestion I can give about serving coffee to groups is to listen to what the group speaks about their coffee, hear it, and then do not diminish it even if they are wrong about what they think good coffee is or their methods. Some folks just like a tasty cup and don't mind whatever brand or method, and that's totally okay. :)

[@My123Tutorials]

This is one of the topics I was struggling in the beginning of my coffee journey. ^^ I've learned a lot from James since then, so thanks man! :D

[@ziyanide]

Followed your frenchpress brew method to brew six in parallel for a wedding. Worked out perfectly. Minimal effort with excellent results 👌

[@lordsirio5517]

I have not been into seriously making coffee for very long, but having tried most methods of making coffee, my go to coffee maker is the French press. Having two of them allows for a huge lot of different things , and hosting people all the time, I've already converted quite a few friends to specialty coffee. Excellent video James, keep these coming.

[@endymion2300]

indeed. walking out of the kitchen dual-wielding two french presses is almost biblical. like, where's my slo-mo roll and theme music?

[@Fiendir]

​@@endymion2300I can perfectly imagine everyone at the table turning in slow motion with joyful expressions, Ave Maria playing gently as the host walks in while dual-wielding two French presses like a pro. Hell yeah.

[@sulimanayad]

Having recently held a coffee tasting over brunch, it’s so nice to have it confirmed that it is EXHAUSTING. Partially my fault for trying to do a comparison of 4 different coffees. Great video with great tips! Looking forward to trying some of these ideas at my next tasting!

[@leon.r.4849]

That video was, perhaps, the best that I ever saw from you and your team. In terms of photography, editing, content and timing. Amazing, kudos to everyone involved and I will see you, next week.

[@apeacebone6499]

When my family gathers for the holidays (all 3 of us--sometimes 4 if someone brings a friend), we mostly use a large french press. Last year I introduced them onto your ultimate french press method and it was a big hit.

[@jrodori]

French press is the way to go when brewing specialty for gatherings for the first time. From there I would go with a group cupping session like mentioned in this vid. It’s more interactive, more social, while at the same time introducing an element of introspection as guests learn more about what they like or dislike, and why.

[@thomascee]

You have no idea how practical this is! Yes, we always get asked to make coffee, which we love. But how to serve that much coffee is always a bit of a trick. I have also found the French Press works wonderfully. The Chemex usually ends up tasting a bit harsh, and I have occasionally brought out larger 10 cup old school coffee makers. They get the job done, but I always wonder if there are better options. THANK YOU! And yes, we have groups over ALL the time. Coffee is always a part of the evening or afternoon parties.

[@itsmebeter3538]

this is one of the most well edited videos i've seen on this whole site. your stuff is always so good and cool :)

[@DeLucaEspressoRepair]

I played the role of a barista in Italy for our family and guests, a group of 15 eager for espresso shots. Armed with just a La Pavoni Professional and a manual flair grinder, each shot became a labor of love. Grinding and extracting manually, rinsing, cleaning, and cooling down the basket after each shot. Despite the effort and a sore arm the next day, it was a resounding success. I'd do it again without hesitation, relishing the joy of sharing the lever machine experience. The unanimous appreciation for the process and the pure taste of the coffee, untouched by sugar, made it an unforgettable experience.

[@bernie.ted.costales]

Thanks for the video! This is something that I do with tea preparation, is to have it be a part of the social experience. The amount of thermal loss and off-gassing from the grinds you get by preparing your brew tableside (with a tray or some such to capture any spills) makes for an excellent performative experience, plus everybody at the table can enjoy the sensory experience of coffee being prepared tableside. This works for anything except for an espresso machine and with a timer you should be able to stay 'on target' for your brew. Plus one call out for the Chemex, which does quite well in the dinner environment and at the same scale as the newer things.

[@thisamericanwifepod]

I loved all these suggestions! My personal go to is my Sage Precision brewer. Yes, it's not quite as enjoyable as other processes, but it makes nearly 2L with minimal fuss, less time away from guests, and the thermal carafe is excellent so I can set it running a little earlier than it needs to be served and serve up at a near ideal temperature. I then use the french press for my milk, and voila!

[@keitminton]

Thanks James I’ve taken my aeropress to a couple of house parties and have been stressed making a few cups of coffee especially in a combined kitchen/eating area. I love the idea of a large French press. Sounds perfect. Thanks again. I appreciate your videos.

[@roberttikens4983]

Hi James! I think that another great option for a bunch of people would be to use the moka pot. It can make a strong cup of coffee (one that the espresso lovers would be more satisfied with) and at the same time you can dilute it for people that want americanos, or just put some steamed milk for lattes and it will still look fancy and taste delicious. Another advantage is that they exist in really big sizes and you can brew coffee much faster than with other methods.

[@Mickziz502]

What a great video! ❤ I often have to brew coffee for a group. I usually end up making several 500 mL v60 back to back. That takes a lot of time. I will definitely try the french press or one of the big pour overs.

[@_Gecko]

Babe wake up, a new Hames Joffman video is in the works

[@nbrosens]

One thing I’d say regarding large pour overs: the size 03 hario has been around for a while and can brew up to 1L, maybe 1.2 at a push. Certainly not a new thing, but I’m still very much looking forward to that Orea Big Boy.

[@alexmlogan]

One of the best videos I’ve seen. Inspired me to have a group round for coffee, and those espresso prep order tips are just splendid 😊