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Big River Coffee
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The Art of Brewing

Brewing great coffee is both an art and a science. These guides will help you master various brewing methods to bring out the best flavors in your coffee beans.

Brewing Methods

Jump to a Brewing Method

Pour Over
French Press
AeroPress
Espresso
Cold Brew
Moka Pot
Pour Over Coffee

Pour Over (V60/Chemex)

Medium Difficulty3-4 min brew

Pour over brewing highlights the delicate flavors and aromas in your coffee. It's perfect for single-origin beans where you want to taste the distinct characteristics.

You'll Need:

  • V60 or Chemex brewer
  • Paper filter
  • Gooseneck kettle
  • Digital scale
  • Freshly roasted coffee beans
  • Burr grinder
  • Timer

Ingredients:

  • 22g coffee (medium-fine grind)
  • 360g water (205°F / 96°C)

Instructions:

  1. Place the filter in the dripper and rinse with hot water to remove paper taste and preheat the brewer
  2. Add ground coffee and level the bed
  3. Start timer and pour 50g of water for the bloom, making sure all grounds are saturated
  4. After 30 seconds, slowly pour water in circular motions until you reach 150g total
  5. Continue pouring in stages (adding 50-70g at a time) until you reach 360g total
  6. Allow all water to drain through (total brew time should be 3-4 minutes)

Pro Tips:

  • Pour in slow, steady spirals from the center outward
  • Adjust grind size to control flow rate - finer for slower, coarser for faster
  • For Chemex, use a slightly coarser grind than V60
French Press Coffee

French Press

Easy4 min brew

The French Press produces a full-bodied, rich cup with excellent mouthfeel. It's perfect for those who enjoy a robust, flavorful coffee with more oils and fine particles.

You'll Need:

  • French Press
  • Digital scale
  • Kettle
  • Freshly roasted coffee beans
  • Burr grinder
  • Timer
  • Wooden spoon or paddle

Ingredients:

  • 30g coffee (coarse grind)
  • 500g water (205°F / 96°C)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the French Press with hot water, then discard the water
  2. Add ground coffee to the French Press
  3. Start timer and add half the water (250g), making sure all grounds are saturated
  4. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to break the crust
  5. Add remaining water (250g) and place the lid on top with the plunger pulled up
  6. After 4 minutes, slowly press the plunger down
  7. Pour immediately to prevent over-extraction

Pro Tips:

  • Use a coarse grind to prevent sediment and bitterness
  • Pour immediately after pressing to prevent over-extraction
  • For a cleaner cup, try James Hoffmann's technique: break the crust at 4 minutes, scoop off the foam, wait 5-7 minutes, then press just enough to hold grounds down
AeroPress Coffee
Brewing Method

AeroPress

Easy1-2 min brew

The AeroPress is versatile, portable, and produces a clean, flavorful cup. It combines immersion and pressure brewing for a unique extraction that can be customized to your preferences.

You'll Need:

  • AeroPress and paper filter
  • Digital scale
  • Kettle
  • Freshly roasted coffee beans
  • Burr grinder
  • Timer
  • Stirrer (the one included or a spoon)

Ingredients:

  • 17g coffee (medium-fine grind)
  • 250g water (185-205°F / 85-96°C)

Instructions (Standard Method):

  1. Place a paper filter in the cap and rinse with hot water
  2. Attach the cap to the AeroPress chamber and place on your mug
  3. Add coffee to the chamber
  4. Start timer and add water (250g)
  5. Stir for 10 seconds
  6. Insert the plunger and press gently until you hear a hissing sound (should take about 30 seconds)

Pro Tips:

  • Try the inverted method for longer steeping time
  • Experiment with water temperature - lower for lighter roasts, higher for darker roasts
  • Use two paper filters for an even cleaner cup
  • Add a small amount of water after pressing for an Americano-style coffee
Espresso Coffee

Espresso

Advanced25-30 sec brew

Espresso is the foundation of many coffee drinks and requires precision. This concentrated coffee showcases intense flavors and creates the beloved crema on top.

You'll Need:

  • Espresso machine
  • Espresso grinder
  • Tamper
  • Scale
  • Freshly roasted coffee beans (espresso roast recommended)
  • Timer

Ingredients:

  • 18-20g coffee (fine grind)
  • 36-40g water output (1:2 ratio)
  • Water at 200°F / 93°C

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your machine, portafilter, and cup
  2. Grind coffee into the portafilter basket
  3. Distribute the grounds evenly
  4. Tamp with about 30 pounds of pressure, keeping the tamper level
  5. Lock the portafilter into the group head
  6. Start the shot and timer simultaneously
  7. Aim for a 25-30 second extraction time for a 1:2 ratio (18g in, 36g out)
  8. Stop the shot when you reach your target weight

Pro Tips:

  • Adjust grind size to control flow - finer for slower, coarser for faster
  • Look for a honey-like flow that starts after 5-7 seconds
  • The shot should have a caramel-colored crema on top
  • If the shot runs too fast (under 20 seconds), grind finer
  • If the shot runs too slow (over 35 seconds), grind coarser
Cold Brew Coffee

Cold Brew

Easy12-24 hour brew

Cold brew produces a smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate that can be enjoyed cold or hot. The slow extraction brings out sweet, chocolatey notes while minimizing bitterness.

You'll Need:

  • Large jar or cold brew maker
  • Filter (cloth, paper, or metal)
  • Freshly roasted coffee beans
  • Burr grinder
  • Filtered water
  • Scale

Ingredients:

  • 100g coffee (coarse grind)
  • 800g cold filtered water (1:8 ratio)

Instructions:

  1. Grind coffee to a coarse consistency (similar to sea salt)
  2. Add coffee to your container
  3. Pour cold filtered water over the grounds
  4. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are saturated
  5. Cover and let steep at room temperature for 12-24 hours
  6. Strain through a filter into a clean container
  7. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
  8. Dilute with water or milk to taste (typically 1:1 ratio)

Pro Tips:

  • Use medium to dark roasts for more pronounced chocolate and caramel notes
  • Double-filter for a cleaner cup
  • Try a hot bloom (small amount of hot water) before adding cold water for more flavor
  • Experiment with steeping time - longer for stronger brew, shorter for milder flavor
  • Make coffee ice cubes to avoid diluting your cold brew
Moka Pot Coffee

Moka Pot

Medium Difficulty4-5 min brew

The Moka Pot produces a rich, concentrated coffee similar to espresso. This stovetop brewer uses pressure to force water through coffee grounds, creating a bold, full-flavored cup.

You'll Need:

  • Moka Pot
  • Freshly roasted coffee beans
  • Burr grinder
  • Hot water
  • Heat source (stove)
  • Towel or oven mitt

Ingredients:

  • 15-18g coffee (medium-fine grind)
  • Water filled to the valve (about 200ml for a 3-cup pot)

Instructions:

  1. Fill the bottom chamber with hot water up to the valve
  2. Insert the funnel filter and fill with coffee (don't tamp)
  3. Brush away any coffee grounds from the rim
  4. Screw on the top chamber tightly
  5. Place on medium-low heat
  6. Keep the lid open to observe the brewing process
  7. When coffee begins to flow, reduce heat to low
  8. Remove from heat when you hear a gurgling sound or when the stream turns blonde
  9. Wrap the bottom with a cold, damp towel to stop extraction (optional)
  10. Pour and enjoy immediately

Pro Tips:

  • Start with hot water to minimize the grounds being exposed to heat for too long
  • Use medium heat to avoid burning the coffee
  • Remove from heat before the extraction is complete to avoid bitter notes
  • Clean your Moka Pot after each use, but avoid using soap (it can affect flavor)
  • Let the pot cool before disassembling
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