A good cup of coffee in the morning can set the mood for your whole day. While you may be tempted to rely on a barista to serve your daily cup, that can get pricy. With these nine simple rules, you’ll be able to make your own perfect cup of coffee every morning, right in your own home. It’s easier than you think-simple things like storing your beans correctly, and using the best filters will prevent unwanted bitterness or off-flavors from your cup. Whether your morning coffee is an estate-grown brew or just the best supermarket blend you can afford, follow these basic rules for a delicious, satisfying cup of coffee every single time.
The Pour Over
Arguably the best method for a delicious, aromatic and complex cup of coffee, the pour-over method won’t disappoint.
- First, bring water to a boil in a kettle.
- If using whole beans, grind the beans to a uniform consistency similar to granulated table salt.
- Meanwhile, put a filter in the brewer and rinse with hot water. This removes the papery residue on the filter and warms up the brewer, keeping your coffee hot for longer. Discard the water used for rinsing.
- Before you grind the beans, make sure you get a grinder that’s good for pour over coffee. Then add the grounds to the filter, making sure the surface is level. When the water is between 195°F and 205°F (about a minute after removal from heat), slowly and steadily pour just enough water over the grounds to saturate them completely, starting from the middle and working your way outward. Stop pouring before the coffee begins to drip through. This is called the “bloom” pour, which allows the coffee to de-gas.
- Slowly pour in the remaining water, keeping the water in the dripper between half and three-quarters full. This should take 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully remove the filter, then serve and enjoy.
French Press
The French press, also known as the cafetière, is another iconic and well-known piece of brewing equipment. It’s the best way to make several cups of coffee quickly, perfect for five or six people. It’s also great if you want to make a batch of coffee for cold brew, and can be used to infuse loose leaf tea as well. The biggest mistake people can make with cafetières is using the wrong grind, and therefore not getting the proper extraction. Make sure you use a coarse grind, similar in size to pan bread crumbs.
- Fill your French press with 6 tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee (the exact amount will depend on the size of your press – use the water-to-coffee ratio 10:1 as a guide).
- Add 900ml hot (but not boiling) water and give it all a stir.
- Leave your coffee to brew for around 4 minutes, keeping the lid off.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the grounds that have floated to the top, then place the lid on.
- Slowly push down the plunger, then serve.
Drip
On a hectic morning, nothing beats the simplicity of a drip coffee machine. Depending on your machine, you could make up to 12 cups at a time!
- If using whole beans, grind the beans to a uniform consistency similar to granulated table salt. Transfer the grounds into a filter, then place in the drip machine. Swivel water spout over the center of the grounds.
- Pour clean water into the back of the machine (not over the grounds) and press the on button.
- Turn off the machine as soon as the coffee is done brewing (it will stop bubbling) to avoid a burnt taste. Be sure to clean your machine once a month by filtering through a mixture of water and vinegar, which removes any built-up residue.
Now that you know what you need to know, it’s time to enjoy a cup!