Coffee is personal. The right way to brew coffee is how you like it best, which is why there isn’t one universal way to brew coffee. However, you can most certainly master a handful of fundamentals that will help you perfect your general brewing technique. Once you master these basic guidelines, we urge you to experiment with different roasts, origins, and brewing methods. Below we will discuss how to brew coffee.
Clean the Equipment You Use to Brew Your Coffee
First off, you want to make sure that your equipment is sparkling clean after each use. We’re talking about your bean grinder, the actual coffee maker, and the permanent filter if you use one.
You’ll want to use hot water to clean your equipment and an absorbent towel to wipe everything down once you’ve cleaned it. It’s critical to check that there are no stray grounds left to collect and that there’s no build-up of coffee oil. If you fail to do either of these important tasks, your future pots of coffee can taste just plain foul. This is especially true if you have a single-serve coffee maker.
The Beans You Use
A few of the key factors that influence the flavor of your coffee include:
Great coffee begins with amazing beans. Both the brewing process and the blend of beans you use determine the flavor profile and overall quality of your coffee. There can be a world of a difference from roast to roast, so make sure that you do your homework when you go to purchase your coffee beans.
- Country and region of origin
- Variety of the beans – arabica, robusta, or a blend
- Roast type
- The texture of your grind
There are a lot of choices out there, so remember that there’s no right or wrong blend of beans. For example, you can select a dark and rich espresso roast and have it ground to brew in an auto-drip maker. When all is said and done, go with the blend of beans that yields a brew that makes your tastebuds do backflips.
Fresh Beans Make All the Difference
You want to purchase your coffee as soon as you can after roasting. Freshly roasted coffee is critical to a quality cup of joe. This means you want to purchase your beans in small amounts – once every one to two weeks is a good time frame.
This should go without saying, but you should never reuse your coffee grounds to make another pot. Once brewed, the grounds have lost the flavors you want and only the bitter ones are left. Here are a few ways you can repurpose your used coffee grounds.
The Grind Influences How You Brew Your Coffee
If you purchase whole coffee beans, you’ll want to grind your beans as close to when you brew your coffee as humanly possible to ensure maximum freshness. A burr or mill grinder is best since they grind the coffee to a consistent size.
Blade grinders are less than ideal because they grind some more finely than the rest. If you normally grind your coffee at home with a blade grinder, you should try to have it ground at the store with a burr grinder. The difference in flavor will amaze you!
The size of the grind is also of great importance and impacts the taste of your coffee. If your coffee tastes bitter, it might be over-extracted, or the grind might be too fine. On the other hand, if your coffee tastes rather flat, it may be under-extracted, which means your grind is too coarse.
If you’re having your coffee ground to order, you’ll want to make sure to tell the professionals how you will be brewing it. French Press? Flat or cone drip filter? Gold mesh filter? They will grind it specifically for your brewing method.
The Water
The water you use is a major factor that will determine the quality of your coffee. You want to use filtered or bottled water if you have less than stellar tap water. If you do use tap water, make sure to let it run for a few seconds before filling your coffee pot. Lastly, you want to avoid distilled or softened water at all costs!
Coffee-to-Water Ratio
A general guideline, known as the “Golden Ratio,” is to brew one to two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. Naturally, you can increase the amount of coffee if you want a stronger brew.
You can check the cup lines or indicators on your brewer to see how they actually measure. Also, remember that some water is lost to evaporation in certain brewing methods.
Water Temperature
Anytime you’re working with heat and hot beverages, make sure to take all the necessary precautions for everyone involved with the coffee experience.
Your brewer should maintain a temperature between 195° and 205°F for ideal extraction. Colder water can result in flat, under-extracted coffee. On the other hand, water that is too hot will cause a loss of quality in the taste of the coffee. Please note that this does not apply to cold brew coffee!
If you brew your coffee manually, let the water come to a full boil, but don’t boil it too much. Turn off the heat source and allow the water to rest for a minute before pouring it over your coffee grounds.
Coffee typically cools at a fast pace once served. The cool-down time can vary with the container from which it is served. Many coffee drinkers may add milk or cream which also has a cooling effect. In the end, the temperature at which people prefer their coffee is a personal preference.
These are a few of the reasons why it is best to serve coffee right after you brew it when it is fresh and hot. Cupping quality standards suggest brewing at 200°F. When serving up hot beverages, especially in a retail setting where there is a risk of burning or scalding, lower temperatures are a wise option to consider. One study shows that many coffee drinkers prefer their coffee around 140°F or below.
Brew Time
The amount of time that the water is in contact with the coffee grounds is another important factor that influences the flavor profile.
In a drip system, the contact time should be around 5 minutes. If you’re making your coffee with a French Press, the contact time should be around 2-4 minutes. Espresso has a considerably shorter brew time – the coffee is in contact with the water for about 20-30 seconds. Lastly, cold brew should steep overnight, or for at least 12 hours.
If you’re not happy with the final flavor profile, you’re likely doing one of the following:
- Over-Extracting – brew time is too long
- Under-Extracting – brew time is too short
In order to find your ideal brew time, you’ll need to experiment and get the balance just right.
Enjoy Your Coffee
It’s vital that you remember that coffee starts to lose its ideal taste moments after brewing. That being said, you should only make as much coffee as you’re prepared to drink. If you’re not going to consume it right after your brew it, you can pour it into an insulated thermos. This will buy you about an hour or so of flavor preservation.
Lastly, make sure to enjoy your coffee with as much care as you put into brewing it. Take in the rich aroma, and notice the flavors in each individual sip.
