In Search for the Perfect cup: Brewing Method

The most common misconception with coffee is that you need some fancy machine with chrome and blinking LED lights to brew your coffee. This is not true. You can enjoy fantastic coffee without spending over $100 on your brewing method.

Another common misconception is that if you have one of these fancy machines you don't need a nice coffee grinder. In fact if you are not grinding your own coffee or having it ground frequently for yourself in a store you are more likely to have inconsistent coffee. Its better to invest in a good grinder and an inexpensive brewing method.

Blade Grinder

Grinders come in typically two types, Blade and Burr. Blade grinders are often just repurposed spice grinders and while they do work at grinding the beans they provide a very inconsistent grind of the coffee having some ground to fine dust and ranging  to large chunks of beans. The better grinders are burr grinders. These come with two burrs one rotating and one stationary. These grinders provide the most consistent grind in coffee. They are most often adjustable to give you a range from coarse to fine grind. Burr grinders are not that accessible to consumers due to price the decent grinders start at about $200. Cheaper burr grinders are available but many of them are hand cranked and require more work.
Good grinders will give you more control of your coffee and provide a better cup. If you don't have the money to invest you can take a trip to your local grocery store. Many of them have a grinder for you to use take advantage of it and don't be afraid to bring your own coffee.

Burr Grinder

The problem  with a drip machine is that it does not heat the water to the correct temperature before dribbling on the grounds that results in sometimes tepid coffee. Coffee should be hot ideally off of a rolling boil at 205-198 degrees. You don't need a thermometer to find the exact temperature but getting it close is better than having weak poorly brewed coffee.

The first method I'm going to talk about is the cheapest. The single cup brewer. Many companies such as Melitta (a very common filter and drip coffee maker manufacturer) sell single cup brewers. They are nothing more than a cone set on top of a round disk that you place a top a cup the cone requires a paper filter of a size corresponding to the single cup brewer as they come in a variety of sizes.

The best way to use this is to know the proper ratio of coffee to water you want about a tablespoon of coffee to 6oz of water. With this ratio most larger mugs hold about 10-12 ounces so between 1.5-2 tablespoons of coffee for a single cup brewer. This along with water just off of a boil from a kettle, electric kettle is best. You can also microwave the water for about 5 minutes and make sure to put a wooden coffee stirrer or chopstick in the cup so it doesn't boil over.

*A note about Paper Filters. Wet your filter before use to avoid a "papery" taste.

Single Cup Brewer

1.5-2tbs course coffee (ground for drip)
10-12 oz of water just off a roiling boil
Pour some of the water into the cone with your coffee and give it a little stir to make sure your grounds are completely saturated.
then finish off the water.
it should take 2-3 minutes to brew

*If your water is not going through you have one of two problems
1. your coffee is too fine and is clogging within the filter
2. you filled the filter with too much water and your grounds have gone outside your filter and are clogging the hole

Chemex Brewer

This is another pour over coffee maker similar to the one cup in process. The device is a glass flask that narrows at the top and opens up in a cone like shape at the top with a wooden collar. The chemex brewer comes in a variety of sizes and prices ranging from about $30-50 depending on size.  Special Chemex paper filters are required but are easy to find.

The method is about the same:

1tbs per 6oz of water
water just off a boil
pour in about a fifth to a quarter of the water in to wet the grounds
then brew the rest.

The French Press

The french press is a great tool it is very common and your parents may have one lying  around the house for you to borrow. They are also fairly inexpensive. You can buy a 6 cup 24oz press for about $15 or a bit more spacious 8 cup 32oz  Press from bodum at either Starbucks or on Amazon for about $20-30. The press allows for maximum penetration of the coffee and allows the coffee to mellow as it brews. The press uses a plunger or press to filter out grounds in the coffee. You begin by placing the ground coffee in a beaker with water just off of a boil and allow it to brew for 3-5 minutes depending on preference then slowly push plunger down. I emphasize slowly because pushing the plunger down too quickly can cause the coffee to explode out due to building of pressure so unless you want to take another shower you might want to take your time.

1tbs Coarse ground coffee per 6oz of water into the press
combine with water just off a boil
stir coffee gently enough to allow the grounds to settle
allow to sit for 3-5 minutes (enough time to check instagram or twitter or set a timer)  depending on desired strength
slowly push plunger
pour and enjoy

*wash the press shortly after use and  get in the habit of disassembling the filter (usually in 3 pieces) so it doesn't become a gross chore.

Percolator

The percolator is not used as much as it once was but is still common camping equipment. Typically a pyrex pot with a metal filter basket and  filter cover. The pot produces very hot coffee. It can also be brewed to your desired strength but requires constant attention through the process. The water boils into a glass straw that releases the water into the top of the pot and trickles back down through the coffee. The process essentially begins to brew coffee with coffee.

Fill the bottom to the desired line usually 4,6, or 8 cups with water
add coffee accordingly to the basket. As coffee is measured in 4oz increments plan accordingly keeping with the same 1tbs to 6oz ratio.

Place the pot on the stove on high. When the pot begins to boil or percolate a light coffee colored bubble into the top turn it down to low or simmer. Allow the pot to brew to the desired strength.  It can quickly change strength in a matter of 30 seconds so a few times brewing it should provide your ideal strength. My personal preference is around 4.5-5 minutes. After the desired time has elapsed remove from the burner and allow to cool a little before serving. The coffee will be very hot.

Aero Press

There are many other techniques such as the aero press which is a very portable and single cup version of the  french press and people can  get very competitive with it.

Espresso is a little out of my range of  expertise. It requires a level of devotion over just your passive hobby. One can brew it simply thorough an espresso pot but is very finicky.

I'll post more on brew methods as I learn more. If you have any  questions don't be afraid to contact me at nick@nlocicero.com or on twitter @pope_nick