5 Tips for Improving How You Brew Your Coffee at Home

By Sarah Cover | January 27, 2018

For most people, a great cup of joe is something they love to have daily. Sadly, it can be quite demanding to go to a coffee shop or restaurant every day. The good thing is that you can brew great coffee right at home, no matter how basic or fancy your machine is.

 

Read on to learn a few tips on brewing coffee that tastes better at home.

 

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1. Fresh, Whole Bean Coffee is Great

Buying bags of pre-ground coffee can be something you like doing, but it might be wrong. Most of these bags usually do not have the roast date. Plus, some bags might have been on the grocery shelf for months. Instead, you should go for fresh, whole beans.

 

Experts recommend using coffee beans within a month of its roast date. So, take your time to find stores that will roast your coffee on the spot or you can just get fresh coffee beans and roast them yourself. This way, you will be sure to get the peak flavor for your brew.

2. Grind the Beans Just Before Brewing

Some people tend to grind all their coffee beans and pack them for storage for future use. According to experts, coffee beans usually start to lose their flavor within 30 minutes of grinding them. As such, this means using pre-ground coffee may not taste the way you want.

 

You can make sure your brew has a strong flavor by grinding the beans immediately before brewing your coffee. Keep in mind that the grind size also matters. For example, too coarse will make your coffee weak while too fine will give your cup a bitter taste. Manual grinders are great if you want consistent grind size.

3. Proper Storage is Important

If you’re going to maintain the flavor and freshness of your coffee beans, adequate coffee storage is essential. Most people usually use a vacuum sealed container that features a one-way valve. This works just fine, but you can also get a standard Mason jar to store your coffee beans.

 

Typically, you must ensure your beans are shielded from direct heat, light, and moisture during storage. You should, therefore, store your beans in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature. Some people tend to love the beauty of clear containers, but they allow the penetration of light, which ultimately affects the taste of your coffee.

4. Choose the Right Brewing Temperature

An automatic machine has made it convenient to brew coffee fast and easily. However, one mistake that these machines are known for is the poor temperature of brewing coffee. If you’re making drip coffee, the ideal temperature range is 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Newer machines allow you to set the right temperature manually, and this is a great thing. This is something that older machines lack. If you have one, use a thermometer to get the right temperature before adding coffee to the hopper. In some cases, pre-boiling your water in a kettle helps. Just make sure the temperature doesn’t go beyond 205 degrees.

5. Measure the Right Coffee Amount

The amount you use for brewing a cup of coffee also determines the final taste. For that reason, you need to use the same amount of coffee per unit each time you brew. For above-average beans, the golden rule when it comes to measurement is a 1:16 ratio. Or, you can try three tablespoons of coffee to every 12 ounces of water.

 

You can play with the 1:16 ratio depending on how strong you love your coffee. Whether you love Brazilian or Hawaiian coffee, such as Pure Kona coffee beans, ensure to determine the right measure that suits your taste preference.

Brew the Right Cup O’Joe

Buying the right coffee and the brewing process are essential considerations when making your coffee. Don’t store roasted coffee for months as it loses its flavor over time. You can also add spices such as cinnamon to get a delicious change of taste. Also, keep your coffee maker clean all the times to avoid anything that will change the taste of your coffee.