7 Tips to Make the Best Cup of Coffee at Home
In the morning, a decent cup of coffee may set the tone for the rest of the day. However, relying on a barista to pour your daily cup is not always applicable. You might want to try making your own cup of coffee. It may also save you money, depending on how much coffee you drink each day. And by following those methods and tips, you'll be able to create your own ideal cup of coffee at home every morning.
How To Make Coffee?
At home, there are three typical coffee-making methods. A conventional drip coffee machine has long been a favorite but pour-over coffee is becoming increasingly popular at home, and the French press is an easy favorite as well. Find out how to make coffee with all three methods with these easy steps.
Before You Get Started
You should be aware that weighing your ground coffee produces better results than measuring it with measuring cups, measuring spoons, or coffee scoops. A digital kitchen scale is quite useful. As a general rule, 15 grams (1 tablespoon) of ground coffee per 8-ounce cup of coffee is recommended. That's around 60 grams (4 tablespoons) of ground coffee for 4 cups of coffee.
Pour-over Coffee Maker Method
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First, grind your coffee beans.
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Calculate the amount of water and ground you'll need. 6 oz of water for every 2 tablespoons (10 grams) of ground coffee is a decent rule of thumb, although different grinds (e.g., medium-fine or medium) will yield varied ideal ratios. Make a list of what works best for you.
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Heat water. Every cup of coffee requires a different temperature. The ideal temperature range is 195°F to 205°F, but this isn't a rule.
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The wetting process. Wetting refers to the initial contact of coffee grounds with water. Because the dry coffee grounds absorb the first water they come into touch with and expand like rising bread, you may hear it referred to as "blooming."
What should the duration of this step be? It varies but starts with 30 seconds and you can adjust it from there. After the 30 seconds have passed, it’s time to finish your cup. -
Continue pouring to produce your cup. There are 2 main approaches with infinite variations in the middle:
• Approach 1: Slowly and continuously pour hot water to maintain only the thinnest layer of water on top of the grounds
• Approach 2: Rapidly pour hot water to the top of the coffee maker and let it drip through at its own rate, occasionally topping off
Accessories required
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Grinder
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Filters
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Gooseneck drip kettle
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Stand (optional)
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Beans
The French Press Method
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Fill a kettle halfway with water and bring to a boil.
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If using whole beans, crush them to a breadcrumb consistency (coarser than you'd want for pour-over). The grounds should have a consistent size and be free of fine particles. Fill the French press halfway with grounds.
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When the water has reached a temperature of 195°F to 205°F (approximately a minute after being removed from the fire), pour it into the French press and vigorously swirl it into the grounds. After 4 minutes of brewing, softly dip the press to separate the grounds from the coffee.
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Finally, serve and enjoy. Note: If you aren't going to drink the coffee right away, don't leave it in the French press because it will sit on the ground and become bitter. Instead, pour the coffee into a carafe to enjoy later.
Drip Coffee Maker Method
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Insert the coffee filter into the filter basket. A filter basket is found beneath the brew head on all auto-drip coffee makers (where the hot water comes out).
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For each cup (6 oz) of coffee you intend to prepare, pour one spoonful of coffee into a paper filter. Use a permanent filter for a fuller-bodied, richer cup of coffee.
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Fill the reservoir with cold, filtered water. For each cup of coffee you intend to prepare, use 6 ounces of water.
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To start the brew cycle, press the start button on the coffee machine. A basic "start" button or switch will be found on most auto-drip coffee makers.
7 Tips to Make The Perfect Cup Of Coffee
Step 1: Know your coffee bean
It's crucial to know where your coffee comes from. The acidity, strength, and flavor of coffee are all affected by the growing region.
Step 2: Buy whole bean coffee
You need decent coffee beans to make a good cup of coffee. If you don't have access to a local coffee roaster, you can still create high-quality coffee at home by purchasing whole bean coffee and grinding the beans yourself. What's the deal with whole bean coffee? Whole bean coffee is more delicious and fresher than ground coffee.
Step 3: Develop a scale of investment
To prepare the perfect cup, you must first determine how much coffee you will use. A scale will assist you in achieving the proper strength and balance for you.
Step 4: Grind only what you need
Don’t grind all of your coffee beans at once. Keep your at-home coffee as fresh as possible by only grinding the amount of coffee beans you plan to use.
Step 5: Store coffee in a ceramic canister
Coffee should be stored in a dark-colored ceramic or glass container to keep it fresh. It's also crucial to keep your coffee from freezing. When you freeze coffee, it has a potential of absorbing moisture, which can alter the flavor.
Step 6: Use water that has been filtered
When it comes to making coffee, it's all about the water. According to many reviews, keeping a pitcher of filtered water in the fridge and brewing coffee with filtered water heated to between 195°F and 250°F is a good idea.
Step 7: Clean your coffeemaker on a regular basis
Oil is found in coffee beans. If you don't clean your coffee pot, the oil will remain in it. You'll brew more coffee the next day, and the oil will have an impact on the flavor.
Conclusion
Making the perfect cup of coffee will require three main elements: the right water, the right roast, and lastly and more importantly, your attention. It is tempting to throw your grinds in an expensive coffee machine and walk away, but it likely won’t produce the results you’re looking for. Show your coffee some care in the brewing process, though, and it’ll give you heaping amounts – or at least a few tablespoons worth – of satisfaction in return.