The Brew – Quick guide to a lively cup of joe.
How you brew your coffee has a great impact on the taste. There are many different ways to brew, but for any method the following tips are the most important:
1. Grind your beans just before you brew. This is the single biggest thing a consumer can do to improve the taste of their coffee. You don’t need an expensive grinder to do this. A $10 blade grinder will make a big difference in the taste of your coffee over pre-ground beans.
2. Goldilocks says the right brewing temperature is 195-205◦F. If the water used to brew the coffee is too hot then you will extract undesirable “bitter” flavors. If the water is too cold it will leave many of the “good” flavors in the hopper.
3. Turn your hot plate off. Most people use a “drip” style brewer which usually has a hot plate to keep the pot warm. This added heat breaks down the oils and acids that give coffee its flavor, and also cause a bitter taste. It is better to heat up the coffee if it has turned cold. Keep in mind that many flavors are highlighted when coffee is tasted cold.
4. Be sure to enjoy your coffee. You don’t need the best method in the world to enjoy great coffee. Find a method that fits your time commitment.
Ratio
For every cup (6 oz.) of water, use two tablespoons of coffee.
Brewers
Not only do vacuum pots brew at just the right heat, they’re fun to watch. There are many brands and types, but all have four pieces: the lower bowl, the upper bowl, the filter, and the heater. Kinds of heaters are the stove top, the hot plate, or the alcohol burner.