Brewing the Best Coffee at Home: A Two Part Guide to Perfecting Your Morning Cup

If you're one of the millions of people who begin their day with a cup of coffee, you know how important that first sip can be.

But with more people working from home and with the changes since covid, the days of picking up your coffee from the local café or sharing a cup with colleagues are no longer the norm.

Fortunately, with the right equipment and brewing techniques, you can make great coffee at home that will rival any café. In this guide, we’ll show you the best way to make coffee at home.

Part 1: Equipment

The key to brewing great coffee at home is having the right equipment. While it's not essential to have every gadget available, investing in quality equipment can make all the difference in the taste of your coffee. Here are a few items that you should consider:

Grinder

If you want to make the best coffee at home, a grinder is a must-have. For the freshest and most flavorful coffee, grind your beans just before brewing.

The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder is an excellent choice if you're serious about your coffee and have the budget. It provides consistency, and you can adjust the grind in small increments to suit your brew method. If you're on a budget, Hario has a range of hand grinders that are also popular.

Scales

Using a scale to weigh your coffee beans is essential for consistency and taste. Coffee beans have different densities, and weighing your grounds allows you to use the same amount of dry coffee to water ratio for the same great brew every time. We recommend the Acaia Pearls for home brewing. These scales have a built-in timer, measure to 0.1 of a gram, and have an app that stores your brew data. If you're looking for more affordable options, Rhino Digital Bench Scales and the Hario V60 Scales are also great alternatives.

Pouring Kettle

While a regular kettle will work fine, if you want more control over your brew, we recommend a pouring kettle. A pouring kettle allows for even extraction and covering of the grounds. Hario offers a good budget option, but if you're willing to spend a little more, the Stagg Pour Over Kettle with a built-in thermometer is an excellent investment.

Filter Papers

There are filter papers to suit every type of coffee brewing method, whether it's V60, Chemex, or Aeropress. Be sure to get the right ones by checking the manufacturer's recommendations.

Filter papers are important in coffee brewing because they help to remove unwanted particles and oils from the coffee grounds, resulting in a cleaner and smoother cup of coffee.

When hot water is poured over coffee grounds, it extracts soluble compounds from the grounds, including oils and small particles. These compounds can contribute to a bitter or muddy taste in the coffee. A filter paper acts as a barrier, preventing these particles and oils from entering the final cup of coffee.

Filter papers come in different thicknesses and materials, and can affect the taste of the coffee. Thicker papers may result in a more muted flavor profile, while thinner papers can allow more oils to pass through, resulting in a fuller-bodied cup. Some coffee enthusiasts also prefer to use unbleached or natural filter papers, as they believe that they can affect the taste less than bleached filter papers.

Overall, filter papers play an important role in coffee brewing by helping to produce a clean and consistent cup of coffee.

Coffee

This is the big one! It's time to experiment with different roasters and coffees. The best way to find the coffee you like is by trying different options. Whether you prefer a washed Brazilian coffee with a chocolatey mouthfeel and nutty undertones or an Ethiopian natural with big fruity flavors and light acidic notes, browse social media to find specialty roasteries with good selections of coffees to try.

Part 2: Brewing Methods

There are five main brewing methods: Cafetiere, Chemex, V60, Aeropress, and Moka Pot. Each method provides a unique taste experience, and the one you choose will depend on your preferences. Here's a rundown of the benefits of each:

Cafetiere

Cafetiere/French press:

This method is fast and easy, and requires no paper filters. The coffee grounds are steeped in hot water for several minutes, and then the plunger is pressed down to separate the grounds from the coffee. This method is great for making tasty coffee for yourself or your household with minimal effort.

Chemex:

The Chemex method is known for picking up the subtle flavors of coffee and making a smooth brew for your household to enjoy together. The coffee grounds are placed in a filter, and hot water is poured over them. The resulting coffee is collected in the bottom of the Chemex vessel.

V60:

This method is similar to the Chemex, in that the resulting flavor is smooth and distinct. However, the V60 is more suitable for making one or two coffees at a time. The coffee grounds are placed in a filter, and hot water is poured over them in a spiral motion.

Aeropress:

The Aeropress method produces a stronger, full-bodied coffee for one person. The coffee grounds are placed in a paper filter, and hot water is poured over them. The mixture is then pressed through the filter using a plunger.

Moka pot:

The Moka pot is a stovetop brewing method that makes a thick, muddy coffee that can be served strong or topped with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a filter basket, and hot water is forced through the grounds under pressure. The resulting coffee is collected in the top chamber of the Moka pot.

Each of these methods has its own unique benefits and flavors, so the best method for you will depend on your personal taste preferences. It's always a good idea to experiment with different brewing methods and find the one that you enjoy the most.

Conclusion

With the right equipment and brewing techniques, you can easily make café-quality coffee at home. By investing in a good grinder, scales, pouring kettle, filter papers, and experimenting with different coffees and brewing methods, you can find the perfect cup of coffee that suits your taste. Whether you prefer a smooth and subtle flavor or a strong and full-bodied coffee, there is a brewing method out there that will suit your preferences. By following this guide, you can start your day off on the right foot with the perfect cup of coffee, right in the comfort of your own home.