musings of a ragamuffin

Here’s something I get asked all the time, “What coffee apps do you use?” Well, I use a few of them, and have bought several others. So, I thought I’d give you a rundown. Some are dedicated coffee apps, some ones I use in the process. Enjoy, and let me know if you have others you’d add. 

Apps for keeping time:

1. Lab Timer. This has been my go-to timer for a year or so now. This app gives me the ability to program up to 16 different timers, four on each page. I use this for brewing my Clevers, both in Coffee Ambush and Brewers Cup settings, as well as in the Batdorf Brewing Lab. The app is easy to use, it’s easy to program, and works very well. FREE. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/labtimer/id292202454?mt=8

2. 30/30. This a new app, and in it’s infancy, is a really nice app. The feel of it reminds me of Clear, a to-do list app I use regularly for it’s simplicity and nice design. 30/30 allows you to program many tasks back to back, with different settings on each one, and while not specifically for coffee, works well for manual brewing. You can only set up one timer at a time, but it does that well. Also, currently, you can only program in one minute increments, but according to the developers, smaller increment programming is on the way. This is a very nice app, both for coffee and work life. I recommend. FREE. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/30-30/id505863977?mt=8

Apps to help with manual brewing:

1. Bloom. I like Bloom. I like that it gives you options for Beehouse, Chemex, Clever, French Press, Siphon and V60. I like that it’s easy to program. This app works great, and comes with good, standard settings to help you get started. $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloom-coffee-timer/id470343097?mt=8

2. Pour Over. Pour Over looks great, gives you options for Beehouse, Clever, and V60. What it does not do, is give you the option of editing the settings for time, etc. For that reason, and the reason that a lot of people further along have their own settings, I can’t recommend it unless you’re a beginner. $ .99                  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pour-over/id436350648?mt=8

3. Brew Control. Brew Control is a very simple to use app that has options for Aeropress, Auto-Drip, Chemex, Espresso, Pourover, Press Pot and Vacuum. This app separates the ratios and timer settings into different parts of the app, as well as a helpful “guidelines” section for each method. This app is very simple, very easy to use, no frills. $1.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brew-control/id400164567?mt=8

4. Intelligentsia. Intelligentsia has put together a very nice app, which no one would expect any less from this great roaster. In addition to their coffee roster, which is updated when needed, they have great options for Cafe Solo, Pourover, Chemex, Cupping, Siphon and French Press. Directions are simple to understand, and very well described. There’s a Brew Timer as well. At a cost of FREE, this is a great app to have. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/intelligentsia-coffee/id404497566?mt=8

Other Apps:

1. MoJoToGo. Vince Fidele’s Extract MoJo, and it’s mobile app “MoJoToGo” have become a great tool for all coffee professionals, both for coffee and espresso. I use the app all the time to measure my brew’s extractions. It’s easy to use, and while it does require a refractometer like the one that comes with the Extract MoJo kit, it’s well worth the cost. You simply enter in the coffee dose, and the water weight used, along with the refractive index data from the refractometer, and it will tell exactly how much coffee you were able to extract from your brew. I highly recommend this app. FREE. (Although the Coffee and Espresso modes are $29 each http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mojotogo/id351660247?mt=8

2. CoffeeTools. This is a great app for espresso-heads. It allows you to create and calculate, rate and compare espresso extractions, making notes for each coffee, from different roasters. You can then share those parameters via social media or email. This is a great app for baristas wanting to get a handle on their espresso, as well as multi-roaster shops who use several different coffees at a time. $3.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coffeetools/id448043893?mt=8

3. Art Of Coffee. This app is for those on the quest to become the next Nicely Alameda. It’s an app to help you learn latte art, from the basic designs, to the more complicated designs like swans. It’s filled with pics and videos on how to pour, and is very good for helping you see how it happens. $2.99                       http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/art-of-coffee/id490406886?mt=8

4. La Marzocco. This is an app from La Marzocco which features their machines, specs, picture galleries, and other cool things. It has tabs for Distributors, Events, News and their blog. A great app for anyone with a LM machine, or wanting one. FREE http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/la-marzocco/id367667597?mt=8

5. Smart Coffee. Paul Katzeff, of Thanksgiving Coffee, has created a really cool app to help consumers figure out what kind of coffee they’re looking for by asking them simple questions based on their preferences. He told me about it at length in Portland, and gave me his vision behind it, which I totally support. It has some cool features, like the ability to pick a coffee based on a few options of what you’re looking for, and a roast level guide with a camera so you can match up the coffee you get with what you want. I will admit the graphics look about 10 years old, and it doesn’t work perfectly every time, has been a little buggy for me in checking it out, but I imagine they’ll work out some of those kinks. Paul has a great idea, and has created a cool app that will help guide normal consumers to coffees they’re probably sure to enjoy. It’s a great start, for sure. $2.99 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smart-coffee/id514478505?mt=8

6. Sensaay. Alex Katona-Carroll, formerly of SCAA fame, has created a really cool app that aims to connect consumers better with roasters, beer brewers and tea makers. It’s just in it’s infancy, and you’ll wanna watch this app as it comes of age. Already lots of roasters inputting the info for their coffees and shops. Their mission is “Our mission is to foster consumer engagement and increase exposure to those working diligently to improve their craft and spread the word.” FREE    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sensaay/id460437802?mt=8