How to Brew Coffee at Home Like a Pro

Coffee is one of the beverages that you can enjoy all day long. It keeps you warm in the morning, energizes you when the afternoon slump strikes, and refreshes you at night as you read a good book or gaze at the beautiful view from your veranda. There is never a bad time for a cup of coffee. It always brings a good experience whether you are alone, with family, or with friends.

Many people feel incapable of brewing their own coffee at home as it tastes different from the ones in coffee shops and cafés. Many are wondering if there is a secret ingredient or perhaps a special equipment to achieve a perfect cup of coffee. The truth is it doesn’t take much to brew coffee that tastes as great as in cafés. However, there are important considerations you need to take to achieve the maximum flavor of this aromatic drink.

The Bean

The most important ingredient to have a great tasting coffee is the bean. If you have poor-quality beans, then you can’t expect good coffee no matter how you do it. Start your brew with fresh coffee beans. You can choose any variety that you prefer as long as it is guaranteed fresh to ensure that the flavors are still intact. Coffee beans go stale after a month or as early as 2 weeks if not stored properly.

Therefore, buying coffee beans in supermarkets is not a good option as their beans are most likely in the shelves for months. The best choice is to find a local roaster as they offer freshly roasted beans. Remember to buy in small amounts which you can consume within 2 weeks to a month and place it on an airtight container at room temperature to contain freshness.

The rest of the mysteries in brewing a perfect cup of coffee hide in the grind, temperature, ratio and quality of water.

The Grind

Again, freshness is a key factor in achieving the best taste of this drink and that is why it is important to buy whole coffee beans instead of ground beans. Coffee quickly lose its delicious flavors 30 minutes after grinding so it is better to grind them just before you brew. A burr or mill grinder is the best to use to grind the beans finely and in a consistent size which allows more flavor to be extracted. Other grinders produce: too finely, too coarse, or inconsistent size grounds which may result to under-extraction, over-extraction, or unbalanced extraction which affect the taste of the beverage.

The Water Temperature

Using the right temperature when brewing is crucial as it determines the extraction of your coffee. Water that is below the required temperature will result to under-extraction causing the drink to taste flat or will take longer extraction time resulting to astringent or bitter flavor. Higher temperature on the other hand will result to over-extraction making the beverage taste burnt and bitter. Using between 195 to 205-degree Fahrenheit is the required temperature for brewing coffee. There are electric kettles with variable temperature control that can help you get the precise water temperature for your beverage.

The Ratio

Water to coffee ratio determine the strength and flavor of your coffee. A general rule is to put 2 tablespoons for every five to six ounces of water. However, this is a matter of personal taste. Some like their coffee light and some likes it strong. You may adjust the suggested ratio until you achieve the best strength for you.

The Quality of Water

Ninety percent of your cup of coffee is water therefore its quality can greatly affect the end taste of the beverage. If the water has a particular taste or smell, such as chlorine in tap water, which is likely to mix with the drink itself. Using purified or filtered water is ideal in brewing coffee to make sure that you get the pure taste of the drink.

All of these are important in achieving your dream cup of homemade coffee. But remember, this drink is a matter of preference. Tweak the water-coffee ratio and try different varieties of coffee to find the best taste that suits you.