Brewing coffee is like a mini science experiment. What do we mean by that? 

We have our materials: 

1. Coffee Beans
2. Grinder
3. Kettle
4. Filtered Water
5. Scale
6. Timer (if your scale doesn’t have one built in, just use your phone!)
7. Brewing device (from the classic drip pot to a Chemex.)

1. Water Temperature
2. Water Quality
3. Ratio (Coffee to Water)
4. Time
5. Grind Size/ Quality 

By understanding the basics behind these variables you will be able to extract the best possible flavor from your coffee! So, before we jump into brewing, let’s briefly explore our variables. 

Water Temperature

Bring the water to a boil and let it cool for about 30 seconds. If you have a temperature-controlled kettle like [THIS ONE], set it to 207°F.

Water Quality

Use soft filtered water. Spring water works well too. Nothing fancy, just not tap water..

If you want to get fancy with it, look into things like Third Wave Water which utilize a solution to get perfectly balanced water for brewing coffee. 

Ratio

In filter coffee, a good rule of thumb is to use a ratio of around 1:16-18. 

That means 1 gram of coffee for every 16-18 grams of water. This applies to batch brew, pour-overs, Aeropress, and other common filter methods. 

However, for espresso, the ratio is more concentrated, typically around 1:2-3.

Time

The duration of contact between the coffee grounds and water affects the extraction process. 

Coffee is about 30% soluble. Allowing the water to spend time extracting the solubles from coffee is how we pull all of those delicious flavors into the cup.

For filter coffee, we’re going to aim for a brew time of 5 minutes (within the range of 4-6 minutes is a great starting place).

Grind

In general, the finer you grind, the longer it will take for the water to flow through the coffee and into your cup. The coarser you grind, the quicker the water will flow through the coffee.

Remember, we’re aiming for a 5 minute brew!

When it comes to the details, we do have some recommendations for particular brew methods. Choose one of our favorite recipes below and have some fun experimenting at home!

POUR OVER | BATCH BREW | ESPRESSO | FRENCH PRESS

Brewing better coffee is a process of making subtle changes to these variables until your coffee tastes delicious. There is no perfect coffee recipe. Knowing how these variables effect your coffee, however, in time you’ll discover your perfect cup. 

The best coffee for you is the coffee that you love.