Learn How To Brew Coffee With Our Complete Guide
Wakey, wakey – time to jumpstart your day with a delicious cup o' joe- if you know how to brew coffee, that is. But wait... what if you know how to brew coffee, but you're stuck in an everyday coffee-making rut?
Well, then, it's high time for some java exploration.
Join us on this caffeinated journey as we delve into the art of home brewing and uncover all kinds of secrets about how to make the perfect brew — no matter what method you choose! From classic drip machines and French presses, Chemexes, espresso makers, and cold brewers - come join our caffeinated brewing adventure!
Let's see if together we can bring out those hidden tasting notes from whatever type of beans tickle your fancy. So grab yourself a mug; let's start 'spilling the beans.'
We'll guide you through the basics of brewing so any novice will come out confident on how to brew a Good Cuppa Coffee! Plus, trying out a new brewing technique will elevate any morning grind and revamp your coffee-making rut.
So, here's to you, our java-driven friends, to brewing up something extra special every single day…
What Are The Golden Rules Of Brewing Coffee?
The golden rules of brewing coffee apply to the coffee-to-water ratio. Many ways of brewing coffee use the same ratio, but there are a few brewing techniques that use more coffee to water.
Old coffee means less flavor. Less flavor means average coffee, and no one wants to drink just an "average" cup of coffee…we want a Good Cuppa Coffee! Our golden rule includes always using freshly roasted coffee for all your brews.
With that being said, what's the golden rule, or coffee-to-water ratio, one should follow?
Coffee To Water Ratio
The National Coffee Association describes the "Golden Ratio," a coffee-to-water ratio that helps you craft the perfect cup of coffee, as 1:17 or 1:18. One gram of coffee to every 17 or 18 grams of water.
Now, for those of us who don't measure our coffee and water in grams and are more of a scoop-and-pour kind of person, here's your golden rule: 1 or 2 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee per 6 ounces of water.
This ratio is practical for brewing with the pour over method and with classic drip coffee makers. There are other ratios for different brewing types. Here are some examples:
Espresso: Use a 1:2 ratio for ideal results. That's one gram of your favorite ground beans to two grams of water!
Cold Brew: 1:8 is the best ratio for cold brew. This means you would use 1 oz of coffee (about 4 tablespoons) for every 8 oz of water.
French Press: While some have used the traditional 1:17/1:18 golden ratio, we recommend a 1:15 or 1:16 ratio of coffee to water for the french press. This ratio is often more desirable because of its ability to give a more flavorful cuppa.
Of course, you can tweak these ratios according to your taste buds and make your java as bold or mild as you please...the possibilities are endless! Whatever you do, avoid "eyeing" your measurements. This leaves lots of room for error and a result that is, at best mediocre, at worst, completely undrinkable.
However, we're here to help you find and brew your Good Cuppa Coffee. Instead of adjusting the coffee-to-water ratio right off the bat, try a darker roast if your cuppa tastes too weak for you. Similarly, try a light/medium roast if it's too strong or robust for you. You might find a change of roast is the answer you're looking for, rather than a change in your coffee-to-water ratio.
With this in mind, why don't we get brewing?
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How To Properly Brew Coffee
In order to properly brew coffee, you need to have the correct grind for the brew method of your choice, time your brew just right, use fresh coffee beans, and have an accurate measurement of coffee grounds to the amount of water you're using.
Since we already discussed the last aspect, let's dive deeper into the other three crucial steps of properly brewing coffee.
Bean's Grind Size: The three main grind sizes are: Coarse (for French press and cold brew), Medium (for drip and pour over), and Fine (for espresso). No matter which style of coffee maker you're using, there are perfectly sized grounds to match, just waiting to be brewed into a coffee cup of perfection.
Correct Brew Time: Perfecting your coffee game starts with mastering the timing. Whether you're an espresso aficionado or a cold brew enthusiast, there are specific time frames to get that caffeinated cup of goodness just right!
- For those who prefer drip brewing, 4-5 minutes does the trick.
- French press fans should aim for precisely 4 minutes - bonus points if you use a timer!
- Espresso shots only need 25-30 seconds.
- Chemex devotees have about four glorious minutes ahead of them too.
- As for Cold Brew connoisseurs? Letting it steep at room temperature can take around 12-16 hours, whereas steeping in the refrigerator extends it from 16 to 20 hours. Cold Brewed coffee shouldn't be left to steep longer than 24 hours.
Fresh Coffee Beans: If you're looking for a flavorful cup of joe, it's essential to use beans that have been freshly roasted. Coffee beans can lose their flavor just ten days after they are roasted!
At Good Cuppa Coffee, we understand this is the key to crafting delicious coffee - which is why our beans are always roasted-to-order! Get ready to enjoy one heckuva tasty brew with us!
4 Best Coffee Brewing Methods
The four best coffee brewing methods fall into these categories: gravitational brewing, steeping, pressurized brewing, and boiling.
These methods provide the best tasting coffee. Espresso uses pressurized brewing, cold brew and french press use the steeping method, and gravitational brewing includes drip coffee and pour over. Boiling coffee includes Turkish style coffee and physically boiling water with coffee grinds in the water.
How To Brew Coffee Without A Coffee Maker
Tired of the same ol' cup' o joe? Switch it up by trying one of several alternate methods for crafting café perfection. Cold brew, French Press, and the Chemex are different ways to make coffee without a traditional drip machine - each with its own unique brewing process!
If you're feeling a little extra and want to spice up your coffee game a bit more and are willing to add a new coffee machine to your arsenal, we'll teach you how to make top notch espresso shots.
Let's Brew!
How To Brew Coffee Using A French Press
Brewing the perfect cup of coffee is no problem with a French press!
- Start by boiling water and letting it sit for approximately 30-60 seconds to cool slightly. Then grind your beans on a coarse setting. Grinding them too fine can make pressing down on the plunger difficult and may result in an overly muddy sip.
- Add two tablespoons of grounds per six ounces (we want more of a 1:15 ratio, so don't use less than two tablespoons) to finish prepping before pouring in some hot H2O at our desired temperature (around 180 degrees). We recommend pouring a small amount of water, around double the amount of grinds, and pausing for 30 seconds to let the coffee bloom. After this, pour in the rest of the water.
- Let steep for four minutes. Don't rush this step! Ever tried to drink tea after only steeping for 30 seconds to a minute? Yeah, it doesn't taste like tea…it still tastes like water! The same problem can occur here if you don't let the grinds steep in the water long enough.
- Once your timer (yes, we recommend using one) beeps, slowly press the plunger down, allowing it to capture all the grinds and lock them in at the bottom for the cleanest cuppa.
You're ready to pour now and enjoy that good cuppa coffee!
How To Make Cold Brew Coffee
Cold Brew coffee is an immersion, or steeping, method of brewing but is unique in its steeping time frame and the temperature of the water it steeps in. Here's how to brew:
- First, gather a large container, or a French press will do for a smaller batch, and add in 4 tablespoons (for every 8 ounces of water) of fresh, coarsely ground beans.
- Pour the correct amount of cold, not icy, water over the grounds.
- Give it a gentle stir to ensure everything is nice and saturated before letting it sit for 12-16 hours at room temperature - the longer you let your coffee grinds steep, the stronger that final cup will be. If you brew the liquid in the fridge, add an extra 3-5 hours of steeping to achieve the same flavor.
- Finally, use your French Press plunger or a cheesecloth/coffee filter to strain the grounds from their smooth, sweet coffee liquid.
This creates a coffee concentrate, which you can add water to and customize away, adding sugars, syrups, or creamers until your coffee perfection is achieved!
How To Brew Coffee In A Chemex
If you have a Chemex at home collecting dust, it's time to break it out and head on a java journey with it! You might be surprised to find it's not as complicated as you may think to brew your coffee with one. Here are the steps:
- Start by bringing some water to a boil - then wait a minute or so to make sure it's cooled down a bit from its super-hot boiling state. The perfect temperature lies between 195 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Put a coffee filter inside the top portion of the Chemex and wet it sparingly with some of the hot water. Pour out the water that accumulates in the bottom, so the bottom of your Chemex is empty. By wetting the filter prior to the start of your brew, you will help to remove any paper taste coming from the filter, and you also ensure it sticks to the sides of the Chemex.
- Grind your whole beans to a medium grind. You want about one tablespoon of coffee for every 5 ounces of water.
- Now that your grinds are in the filter, start a timer and slowly pour hot water (around double the amount of your coffee grinds) over them in a circular motion. Reminder: POUR SLOWLY! You don't want to overflow the Chemex. At this point, you will see the coffee begin to look like it is blooming. Pause pouring the water and let the coffee bloom for 30-45 seconds (now you know why you set the timer).
- After about 45 seconds, continue to pour the hot water slowly over the grounds in a circular motion from the inside of the grounds towards the outside, then circling back inside a few times over until your timer hits around 2 minutes and all the water has been poured over the coffee.
- Keep an eye on the timer. Let your coffee brew until you see the roughly 4 minute mark and all your liquid gold is on the bottom of your Chemex. Toss the grinds and filter, pour and enjoy!
How To Brew Espresso
Brewing espresso is an art, but you don't have to be an artist or expert to create a delicious creamy espresso! We'll teach even a novice how to get their feet in the sand with espresso making.
Follow these steps!
- First things first, grind your espresso or dark roast into very fine grounds. We're talking slightly finer than table salt. This is essential to allow enough water through the coffee.
- For beginner espresso makers, weighing your coffee will be your best bet to ensure enough grounds. 13-18 grams of coffee does best, but this will also depend on your particular machine. You don't want to fill the grinds so much that your portafilter won't fit into the machine. You also don't want too little where there is barely any coffee in it after you tamp down.
- Use your clean fingers to even out the coffee in your portafilter, and then place your portafilter on the edge of a sturdy surface like a table, countertop, etc. Tamp your coffee down with even pressure by pressing and even gently spinning.
- Lock your portafilter in place in the espresso machine. Place your favorite mug under it, and turn it on. (If you really want to go pro, run the machine a few seconds before you attach your portafilter. This guarantees you have a clean run.)
- Since water is not pre-measured for brewing like other methods, time your brew for 25-30 seconds; This timing will get you around the 1:2 coffee-to-water ratio you are looking for.
- Turn the machine off and look at your freshly brewed double shot of espresso with that tantalizing crema on top! Enjoy on its own, with sugar, whipped cream, or the most classic pairing- steamed/frothed milk.
How To Brew Coffee In Coffee Maker
Coffee brewing doesn't have to be a daunting task. Using a coffee maker is an easy, convenient way to make the perfect cup of java every time!
- To start off on the right foot, always use cold filtered water—tap water with even just a hint of chlorine can ruin your entire pot. Fill the pot with the amount of water according to how many cups of coffee you want.
- Next, grab your Good Cuppa Coffee whole coffee beans and grind them to a medium grind. Stick to the 1:17/1:18 ratio for drip coffee (for every one gram of bean grounds, you add 17-18 grams of H20). This is equivalent to 1 or 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6oz of water.
- Place a filter in the pot, add the coffee grinds to the filter. Lock your carafe in place on the warmer, and press the brew button! Now it's time for that delicious aroma - happy sipping, everyone!
Brewing Note: Keep coffee at its best by turning off the warmer right after your brew is complete. Prolonged heating can cause a bitter taste as acids in the java begin to transform. So, enjoy that fresh cup of joe right away before those flavors get away from ya!
Takeaways
From French presses to pour-overs, coffee lovers have plenty of brewing methods from which to choose!
Everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to the perfect cup of joe - that's why our guide on how to brew is here for you. It'll give you a standard way into deliciousness with your coffee each time, but don't be afraid to mess around with the variables until YOU find what works best for YOU!
That is what we are all about here at Good Cuppa Coffee. We want your mornings to start with the most delicious beverage that you could want, and our guide on how to brew coffee will help you along with that.
However, knowing how to brew with bad beans won't ever live up to what you're looking for. No matter which method or bean variety ends up being your favorite... always make sure it's top notch freshly roasted goodness in every single sip…ahem, a Good Cuppa Coffee roast ;)
Happy Grinding, Brewing, and Sipping!
