Do you like making coffee at home, but sometimes feel like it’s not quite as good as what you get at your favorite cafe? Or maybe you’re just starting out and want to make sure you’re doing it right from the beginning.
We’ve got the tips and tricks from a professional barista to help you make the best coffee possible, no matter what method you use.
So read on and start making cafe-quality beverage right in your own kitchen!
Fresh Coffee
The first step to making this great beverage is, of course, starting with good quality beans. Make sure you’re using fresh beans that have been roasted within the last few weeks and grind them right before brewing. If you can’t get your hands on fresh beans, look for a roaster, like Press, who sells their coffee in bags that are marked with the roast date.
Next, it’s time to choose your brewing method. There are lots of different ways to make this beverage, from pour over and Aeropress to French press and cold brew. The best way to figure out which one you like best is to experiment! But no matter what method you use, there are a few key tips that will help you make better coffee every time.
Brewing Methods
Pour Over:
– Use a pour over cone and filter that fit snugly together to avoid leaks.
– Place the cone on top of your mug and wet the filter with hot water to rinse it out and preheat the cone.
– Put your ground coffee in the filter and give it a shake to level it out.
– Start pouring hot water slowly in a spiral pattern, starting from the outside and working your way in. Avoid pouring directly on the grounds in the center, which can make your beverage bitter.
– Continue pour until you reach your desired amount, then remove the cone and enjoy!
French Press:
– Add hot water to your French press pot, and preheat it for about 30 seconds.
– Meanwhile, grind your coffee beans.
– Add the grounds to the pot, and give it a good stir.
– Put the lid on, but don’t press down just yet!
– After four minutes, slowly push down on the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the pot.
– Pour and enjoy!
Aeropress:
– Wet your filter and place it in the cap, then screw it onto the chamber. Place this on top of your mug.
– Add your ground coffee to the chamber.
– Boil water and let it cool for about 30 seconds before pouring into chamber, filling it to the number four mark.
– Stir the coffee and water mixture, then place the plunger on top of the chamber and screw on the cap.
– After one minute, slowly press down on the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the chamber.
– Pour and enjoy!
Cold Brew:
– Combine ground coffee and cold water in a French press pot or pitcher, using a ratio of about one ounce of coffee per two cups of water.
– Stir well to make sure all the grounds are fully saturated, then cover and let steep for 12 to 24 hours.
– When you’re ready to brew, press down on the plunger (if using a French press) or pour through a filter (if using a pitcher).
– Pour over ice and enjoy!
No matter what method you use, these tips will help you make a great cup of coffee! So get brewing, and enjoy your delicious cup of joe.
Use a decent coffee grinder
If you’re using pre-ground coffee, it’s probably not fresh enough to make a great cup of coffee. It might be fine for some methods, like cold brew, but in general you want to use freshly ground beans. That means you need a good coffee grinder. A lot of people don’t realize how important the grind is, but it can make a big difference in the taste of your coffee.
Beans that are too finely ground will produce a weak and watery cup of coffee. If your beans are too coarsely ground, your coffee will be bitter and over-extracted. Finding the perfect grind can take some trial and error, but it’s worth it for better coffee.
Use clean, filtered water
This might seem like a no-brainer, but using clean water is important for making great coffee. If your water tastes bad, your coffee will taste bad. That’s why it’s important to use filtered water, or water that has been through a filtration system.
If you don’t have filtered water, you can also use bottled spring water. Just make sure to avoid using tap water, which can give your coffee an off-flavor.
Bloom your coffee
If you’re using a pour over method, blooming your coffee is an important step. Blooming is when you wet the grounds with hot water, and let them sit for 30 seconds to a minute before starting to pour. This helps to evenly saturate the grounds, and results in a better tasting cup of coffee.
To bloom your beverage, simply put your ground coffee in your filter, and wet it with hot water. Let it sit for 30 seconds to a minute, then start pouring.
Don’t forget the stir!
After you add your grounds and water, give the mixture a good stir. This helps to evenly distribute the grounds, and allows all the beans to come into contact with water. This results in a more uniform extraction, and a tastier cup of hot beverage.
Let it steep long enough
Depending on the method you’re using, your coffee will need to steep for different amounts of time. In general, you want to let it steep for at least four minutes. If you let it steep for too long, your coffee will be overextracted and taste bitter. But if you don’t let it steep long enough, your beverage will be weak and watery.
Experiment with different brewing methods and find the one that works best for you. And don’t forget to have fun with it! There are endless ways to make great this great beverage, so get creative and enjoy the process.
