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.
Pour Over (V60/Chemex)
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:
- Place the filter in the dripper and rinse with hot water to remove paper taste and preheat the brewer
- Add ground coffee and level the bed
- Start timer and pour 50g of water for the bloom, making sure all grounds are saturated
- After 30 seconds, slowly pour water in circular motions until you reach 150g total
- Continue pouring in stages until you reach 360g total water
- Total brew time should be 3-4 minutes
- Enjoy your perfectly extracted pour over coffee!
French Press
French press brewing creates a full-bodied, rich cup of coffee. The metal filter allows oils and fine particles through, resulting in a robust flavor profile.
You'll Need:
- French press
- Digital scale
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr grinder
- Timer
- Stirring spoon
Ingredients:
- 30g coffee (coarse grind)
- 500g water (200°F / 93°C)
Instructions:
- Preheat the French press with hot water, then empty
- Add coarsely ground coffee to the press
- Pour hot water over the coffee, ensuring all grounds are saturated
- Stir gently and place the lid on top (don't press down yet)
- Let steep for 4 minutes
- Slowly press the plunger down
- Serve immediately to avoid over-extraction
AeroPress
The AeroPress combines immersion and pressure brewing for a clean, smooth cup. It's portable, quick, and produces consistently great coffee.
You'll Need:
- AeroPress
- AeroPress filter
- Digital scale
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr grinder
- Timer
- Stirring paddle
Ingredients:
- 17g coffee (medium-fine grind)
- 250g water (185°F / 85°C)
Instructions:
- Insert filter into cap and rinse with hot water
- Assemble AeroPress in inverted position
- Add ground coffee and pour water, saturating all grounds
- Stir gently for 10 seconds
- Let steep for 1 minute
- Attach cap and flip onto cup
- Press down steadily for 30 seconds
Espresso
Espresso is the foundation of many coffee drinks. It requires precision and practice to master, but produces an intense, concentrated shot of coffee.
You'll Need:
- Espresso machine
- Portafilter and basket
- Digital scale
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr grinder
- Tamper
- Timer
Ingredients:
- 18-20g coffee (fine grind)
- 36-40g liquid output
- Water temperature: 200°F / 93°C
Instructions:
- Preheat the espresso machine and portafilter
- Grind coffee beans to a fine consistency
- Dose 18-20g of ground coffee into the portafilter
- Level and tamp the coffee with 30lbs of pressure
- Lock the portafilter into the machine
- Start extraction, aiming for 25-30 seconds
- Stop when you reach 36-40g of liquid output
Cold Brew
Cold brew produces a smooth, less acidic coffee concentrate. It's perfect for hot summer days and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
You'll Need:
- Large jar or cold brew maker
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Digital scale
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr grinder
Ingredients:
- 100g coffee (coarse grind)
- 1000g cold water
Instructions:
- Coarsely grind your coffee beans
- Combine coffee and cold water in a large jar
- Stir to ensure all grounds are saturated
- Cover and let steep for 12-24 hours at room temperature
- Strain through fine mesh or cheesecloth
- Dilute concentrate with water or milk to taste
- Serve over ice and enjoy
Moka Pot
The Moka pot, also known as a stovetop espresso maker, produces a strong, concentrated coffee with a distinctive flavor. It's a classic Italian brewing method.
You'll Need:
- Moka pot
- Stovetop or heat source
- Digital scale
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr grinder
Ingredients:
- 20-22g coffee (medium-fine grind)
- Hot water (just below boiling)
Instructions:
- Fill the bottom chamber with hot water up to the safety valve
- Insert the filter basket and fill with ground coffee
- Level the coffee but don't tamp
- Screw the top and bottom chambers together
- Place on medium heat
- When coffee starts gurgling, remove from heat
- Serve immediately for best flavor