It’s no myth: making the finest coffee, especially in the comforts of your own home, is totally possible, provided a keen understanding of the process. Of course, by process, we mean brewing; not settling for those instant coffee blends. Hereunder are some tips for getting the right feel-good caffeine fix.
A lot of people don’t know this, but most coffee beans come with recommended roast dates. The best dates lie within the past two weeks. When you are ready, take time to weigh your beans on a digital kitchen scale. The ideal ratio is 25 grams of whole beans per 350 grams of water.
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We’re often too focused on our end-product drink that we forget that the coffee beans won’t get into our cup without the grinder. Poorly ground beans will affect the taste of your coffee; it’s best to use a burr grinder over blade ones as it ensures even grinding and allows for more user control over the process. Uniform grinding leads to a more flavorful brew.
Before brewing, make sure that the water temperature is between 195° and 205°F. Boil the water in a kettle, unplug, and leave for 30 seconds. When done, set up your cup. It’s recommended to use a pouring cone on the scale. Then add a filter, which one should rinse first with hot water. Next, remove the water, set the scale to zero, and add the ground coffee beans. Pour them in slowly, in a circular motion.
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Finally, fill your cup. As soon as the grounds settle in the bottom, saturate them anew. Do this until you’re done pouring all the water into your cup. And there you’ll have it: your fine, home-made blend. Relax and take a sip.
Emile Haddadis a business consultant and coffee critic based in Seattle, Washington. For more on his writings and advice about coffee, visit this website.
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