What's the secret?
There are a host of methods for brewing a fine cup of coffee and no one technique is right for everyone. The method you choose for brewing coffee should be based on your own needs and preferences, but here are a few guidelines that should help you along the way.
- Make sure you purchase freshly roasted coffee – this is essential to a superb cup. If you can, purchase your coffee in small amounts – ideally buy it fresh every 1-2 weeks.
- The water you use is very important to the quality of your coffee. Let tap water run for a few seconds before filling your kettle and once boiled, do not add water to the coffee straightaway or you will scorch it – wait 2-3 mins.
- If you purchase whole bean coffee, always use a grinder to grind your beans as close to the brew time as possible.
- Do not underestimate the importance of the size of the grind to the taste of your coffee! If your coffee tastes bitter, it may or ground too fine. On the other hand, if your coffee tastes flat, it may be underextracted, meaning that your grind is too coarse.
Which grind to choose?
- Cafetiere Grind – an all-purpose medium grind that is perfect for brewing cafetiere coffee.
- Espresso Grind – a medium/fine grind for stovetop espresso makers and espresso machines.
- Filter Grind – a fine grind designed for paper filters.
- Turkish Grind – finest possible grind for preparing Turkish coffee.
How much coffee to use?
This is down to individual taste and depending on the type of coffee you are making, but a general guideline is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 200ml water. This can be adjusted to suit individual taste preferences.
Sit back, relax and enjoy
Brewed coffee should be enjoyed immediately! Pour it into a warmed mug or coffee cup so that it maintains its temperature as long as possible. Brewed coffee begins to lose its optimal taste just moments after brewing so only brew as much coffee as you are planning to consume and never reheat your coffee - it will develop a bitter taste.
A fine cup of coffee should be enjoyed as thoughtfully as it was prepared – make sure you savour every sip!