Coffee Pro Chuck Pfahler on ‘The Art of Grinding’ and the New Adesso Coffee

Chuck Pfahler. photos©GinaWeathersby

A University of Cincinnati continuing education program is catering to an increased thirst for coffee knowledge with a new, advanced coffee class for coffee consumers, taught by active coffee professional Chuck Pfahler.

The founder of both La Terza Artisan Coffee Roasterie and more recently Adesso Coffee, Pfahler has been teaching Coffee 101: A Cup of Excellence at the university since last summer. This winter Pfahler will be teaching an additional class called The Art of Grinding Coffee.

“In my brewing fundamentals course we talk about the importance of grind and I give grinding recommendations for their brewing method, but in this course we’re taking a much deeper dive,” Pfahler told Daily Coffee News, adding that he believes the grinder is the single most important device for achieving great espresso or filter coffee at home. “Many of the participants may know that burr grinders are superior to blade grinders, but of course not all burr grinders are created equal. My goal is to unpack the differences between these grinders in a simple, concise, easy-to-digest way.”

photos©GinaWeathersby

The noncredit course will delve into the weeds of grinding science and theory, including the effects of various burr sizes, geometries and rotation speeds on samples of coffee passed through different grinders. The educational grinder gamut will run from a “cheap, thrift-store-quality” blade grinder up through a Capresso Infinity, Baratza Virtuoso, Rancilio Rocky, Baratza Forte, Fioranzato F64 Evo, and of course, the almighty Malkonig EK43. Samples will be brewed by Technivorm Moccamaster and Hario V60, with espresso by La Marzocco Linea Mini.

Pfahler brings his roughly 15 years of specialty coffee experience to bear upon the subject. After selling the roasting wholesale and education-focused La Terza a few years ago, Pfahler has remained with the company as a lead barista trainer and the writer and teacher of weekly courses.

Adesso Coffee. photos©GinaWeathersby

Aside from teaching, Pfahler’s plan for the coming year includes transition to a full-time focus on his Adesso Coffee brand. The plan is to build the mobile coffee cart up to a full-service brick-and-mortar coffee and espresso bar, serving all La Terza coffees. The hunt for real estate is currently underway.

“The place where I’m happiest and the most fulfilled is behind the coffee bar working directly with customers,” Pfahler said. “I’ve had a dream of starting a coffee bar for years but have never been in a place in life to make that happen. After selling the business and reflecting on the things I’m most passionate about in coffee, I decided this was the best direction for me.”

Pfahler’s mission with Adesso is to incorporate as much local freshness and seasonality into every ingredient as possible, and to potentially offer coffee origin trip opportunities to motivated customers.

“With any culinary discipline it’s important to have a connection to the land and people that grow our food,” said Pfahler, who also partners with Chef Lindsey Cook for a culinary class at the university called Cooking with Coffee, which incorporates coffee into every recipe. “I want to bring my customers directly to the people that grow our coffee and see firsthand all that goes into the coffee we consume every day.”

photos©GinaWeathersby

The Art of Grinding Coffee is scheduled to take place for the first time next month on University of Cincinnati’s Victory Parkway Campus, and will have about 12 people per class. The class occurs Tuesday, February 27 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Admission is $35.00, and prior attendance of the Coffee 101 course is recommended but not required.