Coffee Things

According to Robert M Richman, a retired chemistry professor who published his recipe in periodical Complex Systems back in 2001, there is apparently a mathematically stronger way of pouring a second cup of coffee.

The precise methodolgy, which is based upon recursive binary sequencing, shows filter coffee enthusiasts how to overcome variations in coffee strength from the top of the pot to the bottom, the coffee poured first being weaker than that at the bottom of pot as a result of having passed through the filter last.

“Swirling the pot does not homogenise the coffee, but using the proper pouring pattern does,” according to Richman. Here is his advice: prepare two cups’ worth of coffee in a cafetiere; take two mugs, A and B; then pour four equally-sized volumes in the sequence ABBA, with both cups of coffee being almost exactly the same in terms of taste.

In order to reduce any potential variation still further, Richman suggest pouring eight equal volumes into mugs A and B in the optimal sequence: ABBABAAB, which represents one sequence out of a possible 35 at this stage. Richman’s endeavours to achieve absolutely identical results across the first and second cup do not stop there, with the ideal sequence achieved when splitting the coffee distribution into 16 pours being ABBABAABBAABABBA – now one out of a potential 6,435 sequencing options.

Such blending problems occur in various other areas of modern life, according to Richman, such as ensuring the even distribution of pigments when mixing paint and indeed in selecting sides for two-team sports.

Filed under: News by Clive