Every coffee fanatic must choose his favorite flavor. It can take dozens of attempts to find the perfect bean, trying various nationalities, blends and roasts. This journey is part of your personal experience, but you will not be able to satisfy your craving for coffee without knowing the right preparation techniques. Here is an overview of all the aspects you need to consider to get the ideal drink.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Buy, Store and Grind
Step 1. Buy freshly roasted coffee beans
Coffee tastes best when prepared immediately after roasting. Look for the roasting date on the label and get the freshest variety possible. Do not buy a stock that lasts for more than two weeks, so that it does not lose quality in your pantry.
The opaque bags with airtight seal keep the coffee fresher than other packs
Step 2. Try different toasts
If you're not a real coffee enthusiast yet, start with a medium roast or a dark one if you want to make an espresso. To experiment with more flavors, try all roasts, from light to darker ones. There are many types of roasts that fall into the "medium" and "dark" categories, so try as many as you can by comparing the color of the beans.
- Even though the extra-dark roasts are considered "sophisticated", many coffee lovers prefer medium or medium dark ones, which do not lose the natural aroma of the beans.
- If you really want to find the perfect drink for you, learn how to toast the beans yourself. Once you've got some practice, you can make the freshest coffee possible, with perfect control of the roasting intensity.
Step 3. Check the origin and type of the beans
Make sure the manufacturer has nothing to hide. The label should show the type of beans (Arabica or Robusta) and the country of origin. A blend of beans from several different countries may indicate that the producer prefers savings over quality, but there are some exceptions. The real wake-up call is when the label doesn't carry any information.
On your journey in search of the perfect bean, choose 100% Arabica or a blend with a small percentage of Robusta if you like more caffeine. Not all Arabica beans are of excellent quality, especially when sold as a dark roast, but the best examples are much more aromatic and less bitter than Robusta beans
Step 4. Store the coffee in an airtight container
Exposure to air, light, heat or humidity can ruin the aroma of the beans. In kitchen supply stores you can find the containers that are right for you: ceramic jars with a lid and a rubber seal. Plastic containers or zip lock bags are fine, but they aren't as airtight.
Changes in temperature can cause condensation and evaporation of liquids that contain part of the aroma. Keep the beans at room temperature or in the fridge if your kitchen is particularly hot. Only freeze them if you have too many to use in the next few weeks
Step 5. Grind them immediately before making the coffee
Ground coffee loses aroma over time. For best results, grind your beans at home with a manual crushing grinder. If you only have a blade grinder, try the more precise method of crushing by asking a bar to grind your beans and use them right away. The ideal grinding grain depends on the type of preparation:
- For a French press or a cold preparation, grind the coffee into coarse grains, with parts similar to soil.
- For drip or mocha filtration, grind the beans into medium grains, with the consistency of coarse sand.
- For an espresso, grind the beans into fine grains, with the consistency of sugar or salt.
- If your coffee is too bitter, try a coarser grind.
- If the coffee doesn't have enough flavor, try a finer grain.
Part 2 of 3: Preparation Methods
Step 1. Use a french press
Many experts prefer this method, but it takes some practice to keep the coffee from being too bitter. Here's how you need to do it:
- Remove the lid and plunger.
- Add the coffee. Use two tablespoons (30ml) for one cup or get to the mark on the side of the press.
- Pour hot water up to the halfway mark, soaking the ground coffee.
- After a minute, gently mix the ground coffee. Add the rest of the water and put the lid on, with the plunger on top.
- After another three minutes, slowly push down until the plunger reaches the end of its stroke. Keep it flat.
- Pour the drink into a cup. You will notice some sediment on the bottom, which you can mix, save for a strong finish, or leave it in the cup.
Step 2. Use a filter
This is another excellent method if you are not in a hurry. Start by rinsing the paper filter and filter cone with warm water. Place them on top of the cup and prepare the coffee as follows:
- Pour the ground coffee into the filter. Gently shake it to make it even. Measure according to your preferences, or use about two tablespoons (30ml) per person.
- Using a teapot with a narrow spout, add hot water to the coffee. It starts from the center and goes outwards, without wetting the sides of the filter.
- Wait 30-45 seconds for the coffee to release the gas, "blooming".
- Pour the rest of the water over the filter funnel, evenly over the coffee. Pour in a steady stream and try to use up all the water in about 2 minutes and thirty seconds.
- Wait for the rest of the water to pass the filter, about 20-60 seconds.
Step 3. Use a drip filter coffee maker
This method is very simple. Put the water in the special tank, the ground coffee in the filter and you will get the drink. The result is good, but it is usually inferior to the other methods.
Step 4. Consider stopping using percolating machines or single serving containers
These tools use very hot water to create a slightly burnt cup of coffee. Most coffee experts agree that this is the worst preparation method. Single-serving containers make all the decisions for you, so the cup will often be mediocre. They are not good solutions if you aim for the maximum.
Part 3 of 3: Improve Your Coffee
Step 1. Clean everything that comes into contact with the coffee
You must frequently remove stale coffee residues and other contaminants. If you are using a machine, follow the manufacturer's directions on how to clean it.
Step 2. Filter the water to remove strong flavors
You can use cold tap water if you let it run for a few seconds. If the water in your home tastes strong or unpleasant, run it through a filter first.
- Do not use distilled or softened water, as it does not contain the minerals that favor the coffee extraction procedure.
- Clean all containers in which you store water often and thoroughly.
Step 3. Measure the amount of coffee and water
For greater accuracy, use a kitchen scale to measure the coffee and not a measuring spoon. If you are still a beginner, write down the quantity you used and the quality of the result. You can start with the recommended doses, but you can freely substitute them according to your personal preferences:
- Ground coffee: 10 grams or 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Water: 180 ml. Preparation methods that evaporate a lot of water may require more. It is best not to use too much and if the coffee is too strong, add more later.
Step 4. Measure the water temperature
Always prepare the coffee with water between 90, 5 and 96 ° C. In most cases, the water will come to this temperature 10-15 seconds after boiling. If you wish, you can use an infrared cooking thermometer to be sure of the temperature.
At 1200 meters above sea level or even higher, use the water as soon as it boils
Step 5. Time your preparation time precisely
Preparation times are recommended for each of the methods described above. Time your operations for the best results. You need to take enough time to extract all the aroma from the beans, but avoid letting them steep too much or the coffee will become too bitter.
