This post includes some basic essentials we recommend for all brewing methods. We recommend you read this post before checking out our specific brew guides.
Equipment
No matter your choice of brewing method there are a couple of key pieces of equipment that will help you reach the optimal flavor profile of your coffee and achieve it consistently.
1) Grinder
We highly recommend a burr grinder. It will help you achieve a consistent grind that is very hard to achieve with a blade grinder. A blade grinder will chop some of the beans more finely than others. A burr grinder also allows you to change the grind setting, to achieve the proper coarseness depending on your brew method.
2) Scale
While this may seem like you are geeking out too much for a simple cup of coffee, a relatively cheap simple scale will allow you to consistently measure your coffee. No more guessing how much to use.
Coffee
Freshness rules here. Old stale coffee loses its flavor over time. It is best to buy whole beans and use them within a few weeks. Additionally, it is ideal to grind your coffee immediately before preparing your cup. Coffee loses flavor quickly after it is ground due to oxidation. Grinding your coffee will cause it start losing its flavors faster through oxidation.
Water
Often overlooked, but very important. The water you use can affect the taste of your coffee. If your tap water has a bad taste or odor, consider using a filter or bottled water.
]]>Before you proceed with this guide, we recommend you take a quick look at The Basics blog post, which covers the essentials for all brewing methods.
Here are steps to brew one 12 ounce cup of coffee using the pour over method.
Step 1 - Weigh the coffee. We like to use a 1:16 ratio. 12 ounces of water is approximately 350 grams. Therefore, we will weigh 22 grams of whole bean coffee.
Step 2 - Grind the coffee. We recommend a medium to medium-fine grind for a cone-shaped pour over.
Step 3 - Using an electric kettle, heat the water to 200°.
Step 4 - Place the mug and dripper on the scale. Place the filter in the dripper and place the dripper over your mug. Wet the filter. Pour the ground beans into the filter and tare the scale.
Step 5 - Make your first pour. The first pour should just cover the beans. Wait around 30 second.
Step 6 - Using a slow circular motion, continue pouring water into the scale hits 350 grams. Wait around 1 minute so that the water can finish dripping into the mug.
Step 7 - Enjoy!
]]>Before you proceed with this guide, we recommend you take a quick look at The Basics blog post, which covers the essentials for all brewing methods.
AeroPress has a maximum volume of 250ml. Therefore, for this brew guide we will show you have to brew an 8 ounce cup of coffee.
Step 1 - Weigh the coffee. We like to use a 1:16 ratio. 8 ounces of water is approximately 240 grams (AeroPress has a maximum brew volume of 250ml). Therefore, we will weigh 15 grams of whole bean coffee.
Step 2 - Grind the coffee. We recommend a fine grind for the AeroPress.
Step 3 - Using an electric kettle, heat the water to 200°.
Step 4 - Place the AeroPress on the scale. Pour the ground beans into the AeroPress and press tare on the scale.
Step 5 - Make your first pour. AeroPress recommends filling up to the #2 on the side of the AeroPress. Then, give the beans a stir.
Step 6 - Continue pouring water into the AeroPress until the scale hits 240 grams. Remove the cup and AeroPress from the scale and plunge the AeroPress. Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee!
]]>Before you proceed with this guide, we recommend you take a quick look at The Basics blog post, which covers the essentials for all brewing methods.
Here are steps to brew one 12 ounce cup of coffee using automatic drip coffee maker.
Step 1 - Weigh the coffee. We like to use a 1:16 ratio. 12 ounces of water is approximately 350 grams. Therefore, we will weigh 22 grams of whole bean coffee.
Step 2 - Grind the coffee. We recommend a medium to medium-fine grind for a cone-shaped pour over.
Step 3 - Place the carafe on the scale, tare it and add 350g of water.
Step 4 - Pour the water in the auto-drip maker. Place the filter in the basket, wet the filter and pour the ground beans in the filter.
Step 5 - Turn on the machine. Once the brew is done, Enjoy!
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Before you proceed with this guide, we recommend you take a quick look at The Basics blog post, which covers the essentials for all brewing methods.
Here are steps to brew one 12 ounce cup of coffee using a French Press.
Step 1 - Weigh the coffee. We like to use a 1:16 ratio. 12 ounces of water is approximately 350 grams. Therefore, we will weigh 22 grams of whole bean coffee.
Step 2 - Grind the coffee. We recommend a coarse grind for French Press.
Step 3 - Using an electric kettle, heat the water to 200°.
Step 4 - Place the French Press on the scale. Pour the ground beans into the French Press and press tare on the scale.
Step 5 - Make your first pour. The first pour should just cover the beans. Wait around 30 second.
Step 6 - Continue pouring water into the French Press until the scale hits 350 grams. Using a spoon, give the beans a stir. Let the beans steep for 4 minutes.
Step 7 - Plunge the press, pour the coffee and enjoy!
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