Blog

Brewed coffee poured from Chemex into black mug

How to Brew: Pour Over Coffee (Chemex)

Two quick step-by-step tutorials explaining how to use the pour over brew method.  METHOD #1: LEVEL GROUND METHOD Recipe: 5 tbsp (35g) medium grind coffee, 600mL hot water METHOD: • Place filter in Chemex with the 3 layered side towards the spout. • Preheat the Chemex and filter by pouring hot water through them. • Pour out water, replace filter & put ground coffee in filter. • Place chemex on scale and tare to zero. • Start timing, and pour about 80g (mL) of water over the coffee. Gently stir the grounds to make sure they are all saturated. • Wait...

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Steamed milk poured into latte mug on wooden counter

How to Steam Milk at Home

Making your own decadent steamed milk drink at home is a lot easier than you think and doesn't necessarily require any expensive or intimidating equipment. All you need is your favourite coffee, milk (dairy or not), and quick instructions on how to put it all together. We've got some top tips to help you become an expert and make delicious drinks at home. When you add milk to your coffee, it can enhance the flavour profile of your brew, adding a touch of creaminess. When you heat the milk, it takes it a step further, caramelizing the sugar in the...

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Male mango farmer smiles

Meet Colombian Mango Farmer Don Israel

Don Israel is the face of our dried mango. Don Israel (‘Don’ is the Spanish prefix to show respect) grows organic mango on his land in Vereda Guacana, Colombia. He owns approximately eight hectares of land which supports the work of two farming families and eight additional families during harvest time. Through converting to organic practices, Israel says he has gained a new sense of appreciation for sustainable practices and an increased environmental awareness. Most notably, he is motivated to continue to grow sustainably for the future! Don Israel sells his mangoes to Fruandes, receiving a fair price for his crops. Visiting Don...

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Espresso pouring from portafilter on espresso machine into mug

Can Coffee Go Bad? How to Keep Coffee Fresh Longer

So, you’ve just opened your new bag of Level Ground coffee and had your first delightful cup. You want that delicious taste to last, so how do you keep your coffee tasting its absolute best? Don’t worry — with our tips, you’ll be drinking the best coffee at home for longer. Can Coffee Even Go Bad? Level Ground follows the industry standard of putting a best before date of one year after roasting on our bags. However, we’ve mentioned before that you’ll get the optimal flavour from your beans within one to three months after roasting.

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Three spoons with ground coffee, coffee beans placed beside

Understanding the Basics of Coffee Grinds

The grind size you use ultimately impacts the coffees taste once it comes into contact with water. How fine or how coarse the beans are ground affects how fast the water will pass through them, determining the strength of your coffee.  The grind size you use ultimately impacts the coffees taste once it comes into contact with water. How fine or how coarse the beans are ground affects how fast the water will pass through them, determining the strength of your coffee.  If your beans are ground coarsely, the water will move quickly between the pieces, extracting only some of the flavour. To get a full balance of flavour, it’s best...

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Coffee farmers, staff, stand together, hold green coffee beans

Level Ground in Peru: Visiting Pangoan Producers

In September, we took a fantastic trip to Pangoa, Peru, an area where we’ve been buying coffee since 2005. We want to share the experiences our Director of Coffee, Joshua, and our Head Roaster, David, had in Peru. We believe in connection — ones made by sharing our coffee with you, as well as with the farmers and communities where we source our fair trade beans. To continue fuelling these bonds, one of our favourite things to do is visit these communities. We want to immerse and educate ourselves about the culture, connect with the farmers and producers face-to-face, and...

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Wooden crates filled with pineapples

Peace and Pineapples in Cauca, Colombia

Learn how pineapple cultivation in the Cauca region of Colombia has helped to bring peace to an area previously disrupted by drug production and unrest. Cesar (Nilsen Lucumi), Susanna, and Gustavo (Amaifi Bonilla) Balanta grow pineapple from their farm in Cauca. Even though they have formal education, and hold other jobs in Law and Human Resources, they never left agriculture. This family has deliberately chosen to stay in Cauca, through conflict and war. They advocate for pineapple production, a welcome alternative to coca, and are passionate members of the pineapple farmers' association - Asoagronorca (Agriculture Association of Northern Cauca). 

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