Practical brewing advice from Geert-Jan the Barista

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Measurable espresso starter recipe

Pick up only in Leidsche Rijn

Brandmeesters Aficionado coffee beans: origin, taste and preparation

Brandmeesters Aficionado is a medium-dark roasted espresso blend for coffee drinkers who love a powerful espresso with a full, syrupy body. The blend consists of coffee beans from Indonesia, including Sumatra, India, and Costa Rica. In the flavor profile, you'll primarily recognize dark chocolate, intensity, and a subtle sweetness in the aftertaste.

On this page, you'll find more than just the general product description. You'll learn which coffee drinks pair well with Aficionado, how to store the beans, and with what ratio you can start adjusting your espresso machine. Use the starting recipe as a first reference point and then adjust the grind size and yield based on what you taste.

The 350-gram package will not be shipped via De Barista Shop. You can order the coffee beans onlineand then pick them up by appointment in Leidsche Rijn.

Brandmeesters aficionado koffiebonen

What is a good starter recipe for Brandmeesters Aficionado?

Start with a 1:2 ratio. For example, use 16 grams of ground coffee for 32 grams of espresso, or 18 grams for 36 grams of espresso. Aim for about 25–30 seconds first, then taste to see if the espresso needs to be richer, sweeter, less bitter, or stronger.

For whom is Aficionado a logical choice?

For home baristas who love a strong, full-bodied espresso with chocolate notes. This blend is also suitable for those who frequently make cappuccinos, lattes, cortados, flat whites, or iced coffees and want the coffee flavour to remain prominent.

Key product details

Product type: whole Arabica coffee beans
Contents: 350 grams
Origin: Indonesia (Sumatra), India and Costa Rica
Roast: medium-dark
Taste: strong, full-bodied and syrupy, with notes of dark chocolate and a slightly sweet aftertaste
Suitable for: espresso, ristretto, americano, cappuccino, latte and iced coffee
Starting ratio: 1:2
Target time: approximately 25–30 seconds
Sales method: collection only in Leidsche Rijn

Why one clear starting recipe works better than guessing

The same coffee can taste very different on two espresso machines. The size of the filter basket, grind size, water temperature, water distribution, and freshness of the beans all influence the extraction. That's why there's no single setting that works perfectly on every machine right away.

A 1:2 ratio does give you a useful starting point. For example, with 18 grams of coffee, you'd stop the extraction around 36 grams of espresso. If it flows much faster than 25 seconds, grind a little finer. If it clearly takes longer than 30 seconds, try a coarser grind. Always change one setting at a time and taste after each adjustment.

Time is not the ultimate goal here. An espresso that tastes sour or bitter after 27 seconds still needs to be adjusted. Use numbers to work repeatably and taste to determine the final setting.

The ratio and lead time provide direction; what you taste determines the next adjustment.

Brandmeesters aficionado koffiebonen

This is how you set up Aficionado step-by-step

Start with a fixed dose (grams) and yield (milliliters). Only then adjust the grind size and always evaluate how the cup changes.

Order Aficionado and pick up in Leidsche Rijn

Step 1 β€” Determine if the flavor profile suits you

Aficionado is on the powerful and full-bodied side of the coffee spectrum. Don't expect a light espresso with pronounced citrus, floral, or sharp fruit notes. The blend is all about body, dark chocolate, and a subtly sweet finish. This makes it ideal for a classic espresso, ristretto, or americano, and for milk-based drinks where the coffee flavor needs to hold its own. Therefore, choose this coffee consciously based on your taste preference. If you're looking for a light and fruity filter coffee, a different roast or single origin is probably more suitable.

Step 2 β€” Start with a 1:2 ratio

Use the dose that fits your filter basket. With a smaller filter basket (e.g., Sage), you can start with 16 grams of coffee and stop at 32 grams of espresso. With an 18-gram filter basket (e.g., ECM or La Marzocco), start with 18 grams of coffee and stop around 36 grams of espresso. Measure the yield in the cup with a coffee scale. For a first test, aim for approximately 25–30 seconds. Aficionado often performs well around 28–30 seconds, but only use this as a starting point. Record your dose, yield, and time so you can adjust your next espresso precisely.

Step 3 β€” Adjust one setting at a time

What to do at step 3?

What you can do with this setting advice

  • Brandmeesters aficionado koffiebonen

    You start with measurable settings

    You’ll know how much coffee and espresso to use for a first test, rather than just relying on your cup’s fill height.

  • Brandmeesters aficionado koffiebonen

    You adjust the grind more precisely

    You use dose, yield, time and taste together to determine whether you need to grind finer or coarser.

  • Brandmeesters aficionado koffiebonen

    You know in advance what flavor profile you're buying

    You consciously choose a powerful, full-bodied espresso blend with chocolate notes that remain clearly present in cappuccino and latte.
Order Aficionado and pick up in Leidsche Rijn
Brandmeesters aficionado koffiebonen

Brandmeesters Aficionado 350 grams pick up in Leidsche Rijn

"Wat bieden wij?"

This pick-up offer is intended for home baristas in Utrecht, Leidsche Rijn and surrounding areas who are looking for a powerful espresso blend. You must have a coffee grinder or a machine that grinds whole coffee beans. This coffee is especially suitable if you make espresso, americano, cappuccino, latte, cortado or flat white. Choose a different coffee if you mainly drink light, fruity filter coffee or if you want to have your order delivered.

Here's why you should get this offer:

350 grams whole coffee beans

Medium-dark roasted espresso blend

Suitable for espresso and milk-based drinks

Collection by appointment in Leidsche Rijn
Geopende zak Aficionado koffiebonen op het aanrecht in warm zonlicht, waardoor zichtbaar wordt waarom lucht, licht en warmte slecht zijn voor het vers bewaren van koffiebonen.

Check current price and availability

The price and current stock are shown exclusively on the product page. View the product page to check if Aficionado is available for pickup in Leidsche Rijn. This information page intentionally does not include a fixed price or stock status.

Order Aficionado and pick up in Leidsche Rijn

You will be taken to the product page with the current price, stock status, and option to order for local pickup.

  • Brandmeesters aficionado koffiebonen
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De Barista Shop

Aficionado 350 g coffee beans – pick up in Leidsche Rijn

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Here you will find short answers about the branding, taste, espresso settings, storage method, and pick-up of Brandmeesters Aficionado coffee beans.

Frequently Asked Questions about Brandmeesters Aficionado

Which branding does Brandmeesters Aficionado have?

Brandmeesters describes Aficionado as medium-dark roasted. This gives the coffee a strong and full character, without the roast officially being designated exclusively as dark roast.

What's a good starting espresso recipe for the Aficionado?

Start with a 1:2 ratio. For example, use 16 grams of coffee for 32 grams of espresso, or 18 grams of coffee for 36 grams of espresso. Aim for approximately 25–30 seconds first, then adjust the grind size based on the extraction time and taste.

Is Aficionado suitable for cappuccino and latte?

We're here to make things easy for you! Your first step to getting the right size is checking out our size chart. It's got all the info you need to measure yourself and find your perfect fit. We also provide extra details on each product page, like the model's size and fit descriptions. If you're still not sure, our team is always happy to help. Just send us a message!

How do you store Aficionado coffee beans?

Store the beans in a cool, dry, dark and airtight place. Do not refrigerate. Carefully reseal the original packaging or use a suitable vacuum storage container for whole coffee beans. Only grind the amount you need immediately

Can I have Aficionado delivered?

Not through this local offer from De Barista Shop. The 350-gram package is exclusively available for pick-up in Leidsche Rijn. After your online order, you will receive information to arrange the pick-up time.

I have another question...

You can contact Geert-Jan the Barista here

Adjusting the Brandmeesters Aficionado for espresso and cappuccino

Brandmeesters Aficionado is particularly interesting for home baristas looking for an espresso with a lot of body, dark chocolate notes, and enough strength for milk-based drinks. When adjusting, don't just measure the extraction time. Also, measure how much ground coffee you use and how much espresso ultimately ends up in the cup. A ratio of 1:2 is a practical starting point, but not a mandatory final setting.

If your espresso tastes thin, sharp, or underdeveloped and extracts quickly, try a finer grind. If it tastes dry, heavy, or bitter and the extraction takes a long time, grind slightly coarser. Always adjust one setting at a time. This will help you better assess which change actually had an impact.

Aficionado has a recent roast date on the packaging. The properties of coffee beans change as they age, meaning your coffee grinder will need to be readjusted over time. Do you want to better understand what freshness does to crema, taste, and extraction? Then check out the online module on roast date and freshness.

After opening, you can better protect the coffee beans from air and moisture with a well-sealed storage jar. View the vacuum storage canistersfor whole coffee beans.

Would you like to order Aficionado? Then check the current price and availability via the Aficionado product page.

Order Aficionado and pick up in Leidsche RijnSee how pickup works

β˜• Brandmeesters Aficionado: product information and brewing advice

Aficionado is a powerful espresso blend of whole Arabica coffee beans from Indonesia (Sumatra), India, and Costa Rica. The dark roast produces an intense and complex coffee with a syrupy, full body, notes of dark chocolate, and a subtly sweet aftertaste. Suitable for espresso, ristretto, americano, cappuccino, latte, and iced coffee.

Product details

  • Product type: whole Arabica coffee beans
  • Content: 350 grams
  • Blend origin: Indonesia (Sumatra), India, and Costa Rica
  • Roast: dark roast
  • Flavor: intense, syrupy, and full-bodied, with chocolate notes and a subtly sweet aftertaste
  • Producer: Brandmeesters, IJweg 507-E, 2143 CL Boesingheliede, Netherlands
  • Roast date: see top of packaging
  • Shelf life: stated by Brandmeesters as at least six months after the roast date
  • Storage: cool, dry, dark, and well-sealed; not in the refrigerator (preferably in a vacuum storage container).

Practical starting recipe for espresso

Use the weight in your cup as the first reference point:

  • 16 grams of coffee: start with 32 grams of espresso at a 1:2 ratio
  • 18 grams of coffee: start with 36 grams of espresso at a 1:2 ratio
  • Target time: approximately 25–30 seconds

Aficionado often performs well around 28–30 seconds. If you reach the desired weight too quickly, grind finer. If it takes longer than about 30 seconds, grind coarser.

For a larger beverage base (1:3 ratio), you can experiment with extracting towards 48 grams from 16 grams of coffee or 54 grams from 18 grams of coffee. Always taste to ensure the espresso retains sufficient body and does not become too bitter.