Watch Mountain Crafted: The Art of Good Coffee

Mountain Crafted: The Art of Good Coffee is a documentary television series on National Geographic Channel that explores the world of coffee production and the art of making a perfect cup of joe. The show takes viewers on a journey through the mountains of Central and South America, Africa, and Asia to meet passionate farmers, roasters, and baristas who dedicate their lives to crafting the perfect coffee beans.

The first episode of the series takes us to the highlands of Guatemala, where coffee is a way of life for the Maya people. The host, a coffee expert and enthusiast, meets with small farmers who still use traditional methods to grow and harvest coffee beans. We learn about the different varieties of coffee, the best altitude and soil conditions for growing them, and the importance of organic farming for the health of the soil and the plants.

In the next segment, we follow the journey of the coffee beans from the farm to the roastery. We meet with local roasters who use artisanal methods to roast the beans to perfection, bringing out their unique flavors and aromas. We learn about the science and art of roasting, the different roasting profiles for different beans, and the best brewing methods for each roast.

The final segment of the episode takes us to a trendy coffee shop in Los Angeles, where the host meets with a world-renowned barista who shows us the art of making a perfect latte. We get a behind-the-scenes look at the cafe's brewing process, from selecting the best beans to preparing the milk, and we see the delicate art of latte art, where the barista uses steamed milk to create intricate designs on the coffee's surface.

The second episode of the series takes us to Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, where we visit the forests where wild coffee still grows. We learn about the history and mythology of coffee in Ethiopia, and how the country's unique climate and soil conditions create some of the most flavorful beans in the world. We also meet with a modern coffee farmer who uses innovative techniques to grow and harvest the beans, while preserving the ecosystem and empowering the local community.

In the next segment, we visit an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a traditional ritual of hospitality and socialization. We see the elaborate preparations of roasting and grinding the beans, and the delicate pouring of the coffee from a jebena, a clay pot with a long-spouted narrow neck. We learn about the cultural significance of coffee in Ethiopia, and the importance of sharing it with friends and family.

The final segment of the episode takes us to a hipster coffee shop in Berlin, where the host meets with an award-winning barista who shows us the art of making a pour-over coffee. We learn about the different brewing methods for pour-over coffee, and the importance of precision and timing to extract the most flavor from the beans. We also see how the barista uses a ceramic dripper and a gooseneck kettle to control the water flow and temperature, and create a perfectly balanced cup of coffee.

Overall, Mountain Crafted: The Art of Good Coffee is a fascinating and educational series that combines stunning visuals, insightful interviews, and mouth-watering demonstrations to showcase the world of coffee production and consumption. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or a casual drinker, you'll appreciate the passion and expertise of the farmers, roasters, and baristas who dedicate their lives to this beloved beverage.