How to Make the Best Coffee
Here are some key steps to making the best coffee using the pour over method. It's a fairly simple method and you really only need a few items to make outstanding coffee.
items you'll need:
1. A good burr coffee grinder. I use a Capresso Infinity which you can get for under $100 on the internet. A burr grinder is the best option because it ensures that the grounds are even in size, as opposed to a cheaper blade grinder which creates uneven grounds. Even grounds result in better coffee. A good coffee grinder might seem like a lot of money but it's worth the investment, especially if you drink coffee everyday.
2. A ceramic pour over dripper. You can get these for about $10 at Cost Plus, Target or online.
3. Paper filters. These are like $2 at Target and Trader Joe's.
4. An electric water kettle (optional). This last item isn't essential but they are very useful. Hamilton Beach makes a good one for about $25 and if you have the money a gooseneck one like what Bonavita makes is a great kettle.
coffee brewing:
1. Grind your favorite coffee in your burr grinder. On my Capresso the best grind setting is the lowest "medium" setting. You want a medium size grind. The grind size is extremely important, which I've learned the hard way. If it's too fine a grind the coffee spends too much time in contact with the water and it will taste flat and too strong. If it's too coarse I've heard it can be sour and I imagine too weak.
2. Boil filtered water on the stove or in an electric water kettle.
3. Put your paper filter in your dripper and place on a mug. Run some of the boiling water over the paper to preheat the dripper.
4. Measure out 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6oz. (3/4 cup) water you use. I double that and measure out 4 tablespoons of coffee beans and 12oz. water because I like more than 1 cup of coffee to drink. If you don't like your coffee that strong just add some hot water to the final product.
5. Make sure to clean your coffee grinder every week. This is really important because if you don't rancid coffee and oils get stuck in your grinder leading to shitty tasting coffee. A small paint brush and pipe cleaner work wonders for this task.
- Let the coffee steep initially for about 30 seconds with a small amount of boiling water before continuing the brewing process. This helps extract the flavor you want from the coffee grounds.
- Some people say that you must swirl the water either clockwise or counter-clockwise but that seems like bullshit to me.
- Never reheat coffee! It will be ruined if you try this. If it gets lukewarm just put it in the fridge for a couple hours and drink it cold. It will still be good!
- Find a brand and type of coffee you like. Don't listen to people who say you have to drink a certain type. I think Stumptown Coffee makes a very good product but that's just me. I hate earthy tasting coffee and I hate burnt tasting coffee.
- Lighter roasted coffee, which is what I prefer, contains more caffeine than dark roasted coffee.
items you'll need:
1. A good burr coffee grinder. I use a Capresso Infinity which you can get for under $100 on the internet. A burr grinder is the best option because it ensures that the grounds are even in size, as opposed to a cheaper blade grinder which creates uneven grounds. Even grounds result in better coffee. A good coffee grinder might seem like a lot of money but it's worth the investment, especially if you drink coffee everyday.
2. A ceramic pour over dripper. You can get these for about $10 at Cost Plus, Target or online.
3. Paper filters. These are like $2 at Target and Trader Joe's.
4. An electric water kettle (optional). This last item isn't essential but they are very useful. Hamilton Beach makes a good one for about $25 and if you have the money a gooseneck one like what Bonavita makes is a great kettle.
coffee brewing:
1. Grind your favorite coffee in your burr grinder. On my Capresso the best grind setting is the lowest "medium" setting. You want a medium size grind. The grind size is extremely important, which I've learned the hard way. If it's too fine a grind the coffee spends too much time in contact with the water and it will taste flat and too strong. If it's too coarse I've heard it can be sour and I imagine too weak.
2. Boil filtered water on the stove or in an electric water kettle.
3. Put your paper filter in your dripper and place on a mug. Run some of the boiling water over the paper to preheat the dripper.
4. Measure out 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6oz. (3/4 cup) water you use. I double that and measure out 4 tablespoons of coffee beans and 12oz. water because I like more than 1 cup of coffee to drink. If you don't like your coffee that strong just add some hot water to the final product.
5. Make sure to clean your coffee grinder every week. This is really important because if you don't rancid coffee and oils get stuck in your grinder leading to shitty tasting coffee. A small paint brush and pipe cleaner work wonders for this task.
- Let the coffee steep initially for about 30 seconds with a small amount of boiling water before continuing the brewing process. This helps extract the flavor you want from the coffee grounds.
- Some people say that you must swirl the water either clockwise or counter-clockwise but that seems like bullshit to me.
- Never reheat coffee! It will be ruined if you try this. If it gets lukewarm just put it in the fridge for a couple hours and drink it cold. It will still be good!
- Find a brand and type of coffee you like. Don't listen to people who say you have to drink a certain type. I think Stumptown Coffee makes a very good product but that's just me. I hate earthy tasting coffee and I hate burnt tasting coffee.
- Lighter roasted coffee, which is what I prefer, contains more caffeine than dark roasted coffee.
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