In the morning, a good cup of coffee will set the stage for the rest of the day. However, depending on a barista to serve your regular cup might not be an option when the coffee shops are closed. If that’s the case, you may want to try making your own cup of coffee. It can also save you money, depending on how much coffee you drink each day. You’ll be able to make your own perfect cup of coffee every morning in your own home if you follow these basic guidelines.
It’s simpler than you think–simple measures like properly storing your beans and using the right filters will keep your cup clean of bitterness and off-flavors. Follow these simple rules for a delicious, satisfying cup of coffee every time, whether your morning coffee is made with estate-grown beans and an intricate brew process or you prefer a supermarket blend with best iced coffee makers. At home, there are three traditional coffee brewing methods. A classic drip coffee machine has long been a favorite, but pour-over coffee at home is becoming more popular, and the French press is also a popular option. Before you start, bear in mind that weighing your ground coffee produces better results than measuring it with measuring cups, measuring spoons, or coffee scoops.
A digital kitchen scale is incredibly useful–we’ve included weighted measurements for precision, but we’ve also included measuring-spoon equivalents. As a general rule, 15 grams (1 tablespoon) of ground coffee per 8-ounce cup of coffee is recommended. That’s around 60 grams (4 tablespoons) of ground coffee per 4 cups of coffee. Coffee is unquestionably best when consumed within days of roasting. The most reliable way to get the freshest beans is to buy from a nearby roaster (though you can roast coffee yourself). Avoid purchasing coffee in bulk from supermarket show bins.
Since oxygen and bright light ruin the flavor of roasted beans, unless the store is dedicated to selling fresh coffee, the storage tubes become coated with coffee oils, which oxidize. Coffee beans packaged in robust, vacuum-sealed bags by quality-conscious roasters are also a safer choice. Often store coffee beans in an airtight container once they’ve been opened. Good options include glass canning jars or ceramic storage crocks with rubber-gasket seals. Never put it in the fridge (roasted beans are porous and readily take up moisture and food odors). Coffee, particularly dark roasts, should never be frozen, according to flavor experts.
Coffee drinkers’ snobbishness rivals that of wine drinkers, but the reality is that anyone willing to move beyond mass-marketed mainstream labels would discover an incredible world of coffee flavors. Specialty coffees with specific origin information, such as the country, area, or estate, can provide a lifetime of tasting opportunities. Arabica and Robusta are the two most common beans on the market. Arabica beans are more commonly available, have a broader flavor range, and are usually regarded as the “better bean.”
