Have you decided to give up your Starbucks habit to fix your coffee at home? Are you trying to support your local coffee shop by buying beans? Whether it’s your first time learning how to make coffee or you want to improve your game, we’re here to help. From buying and storing the beans, to finding the brewing method that is right for you, to knowing how to get that extra flavor boost, here are some things you should know about making a better cup of coffee.
Step 1: learn what type of coffee you need (and want)
There is no right or wrong when it comes to buying coffee. What I like good may not appeal to you very much. The trick is knowing how to buy the best coffee for you and the best way to store it when you get home.
Decide whether you want pre-ground coffee or coffee beans.
How much effort do you want to put into your morning cup of coffee? If you want to control every aspect, buying whole beans (that you grind yourself) is a great option. Do you just want to scoop and brew? Then you need to find a brand of pre-ground coffee that you enjoy. Similar to wine, you need to do some exploration to find out your preferences – especially when it comes to roasting.
If you’re buying whole beans, ask when the beans were roasted.
The best way to make sure you’re buying the best coffee beans is to ask a few questions. Freshness is key, so it is helpful to find out when the beans were roasted and what type of brewing method (more on this below) they are best for.
Choose the right grind for your brewing method.
For a better cup of coffee, let your brewing method determine the grind of the beans as it will affect the final taste of your cup of coffee.
Store the beans in an airtight container.
To make the freshest coffee you can make at home, buy small bags of whole beans that will stay fresh for about two weeks. Store the beans in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or cupboard.
Step 2: choose your brewing method.
When it comes to making coffee, you have a few options. It all comes down to which method works best for you and what type of coffee you like.
If you’re into gadgets like a minimalist approach and only want to make a cup or two of coffee at a time, the Aeropress might be a good tool for you. The Aeropress is relatively inexpensive and easy to use, although the trick to nailing a solid cup of coffee is to get the water temperature just right.
If you love beautiful kitchen utensils and good coffee, the Chemex is for you. This pouring system is both elegant and functional and can brew between one and 10 cups of coffee at the same time.
A French press is an easy and inexpensive way to make a few cups of coffee and doesn’t take up much space. It works by dipping the soil in hot water and then squeezing it out. Don’t forget to put the coffee in a carafe after it has been brewed, otherwise there is a risk of it becoming bitter.
If you are interested in making a cup at a time, this may be the method for you. The most important thing about this method is to bring the water to the right temperature and use coarsely ground beans.
Stop throwing ice cubes in a glass of hot coffee – there is a better way to fix your iced coffee. For best results, use cold brew coffee (also known as coffee grounds, which is soaked in cold water overnight).
Latte (without espresso machine)
Great news, latte lovers – you don’t really need a fancy espresso machine to make a latte at home. You can achieve a similar result by making an extra strong cup of espresso mixture and frothing the milk in the microwave.
Step 3: give your coffee an upgrade.
Your coffee is brewed, but don’t stop there. Milk or cream and a sweetener are a common way to upgrade a coffee, but it’s far from the only way.
Treat your coffee to frothed milk.
Having milk in your coffee is the quick and fancy way to give your Morgenjoe a super fun upgrade. All you need is some milk (preferably whole or 2%), a clean jam jar, and a microwave.
Go beyond cream and sugar to give your coffee a boost.
When it comes to flavoring your coffee, cream and sugar are just the tip of the iceberg. Consider pantry staples like condiments, a stick of butter, coconut milk, or even ice cream.
Step 4: learn from your mistakes.
Making a great cup of coffee can take a little time and practice, not to mention a super strong or completely bland cup along the way. Learn from missteps, and every cup of coffee is likely to get better and better.
Avoid these mistakes when brewing French press coffee.
If your French press coffee tasted less than desirable, it could be because the coffee was ground too finely, you used the wrong amount of ground coffee, or left the coffee in the French press for too long after it was pressed.
Easily repair your sub-par cup of coffee.
If your coffee tastes bad don’t worry – we’ve all been there and most importantly, there is probably an easy fix. It could be as simple as getting fresh beans or cleaning the coffee maker.