Brewing
MAKE AN EXCEPTIONAL CUP OF COFFEE, NO MATTER WHICH METHOD YOU USE
Grind For the freshest tasting coffee, grind whole beans with the right consistency just before brewing. The type of brewer you’ll be using determines the appropriate grind degree. Try familiarizing yourself with different grind sizes by rubbing the grind between your fingers. Grind coffee as finely as possible without losing any through the filter of the coffee maker. Mill
or burr grinders are best as they grind to a consistent size. Blade grinders are less preferable because some beans get ground more finely than others. You can always have your coffee ground at the store with their burr grinder—the difference might surprise you.
Coffee Since fresh roasted coffee is essential to the best coffee experience, we recommend purchasing coffee as soon
after it’s roasted as possible. Purchase coffee in small amounts – only as much as you can consume in a given period
of time. Ideally, every 1-2 weeks. Use the proper amount of coffee; generally, 1-2 level tablespoons (or standard coffee measure) of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water unless your coffee maker manufacturer instructs otherwise.
Coffee Maker Keep your coffee maker clean and rinse with hot water before brewing. Coffee contains oils that stick to your brewer. Over time these oils turn rancid and taint the flavor. Try cleaning your brewer with a mixture of baking soda and water as soap can leave a film and aftertaste.
Water Use fresh, cold water, as free of impurities as possible. Use bottled water or a filter system to improve taste. Do not use distilled or softened water.
Brewed Coffee Always brew your coffee with hot water, never boiling, as boiling water will damage coffee flavors. Ideal temperature for optimum extraction is 200 degrees F, which translates to boiling water then letting it sit 10 seconds before brewing. When using a manual drip maker, wet the grounds first, letting the water soak in, then add remaining water without overflowing the basket.
If possible, pour brewed coffee into a warmed cup to maintain its temperature as long as possible. Freshly brewed coffee starts to lose optimal taste moments after brewing, so only brew as much as will be consumed quickly. Don’t leave coffee
on an electric burner for longer than 15 minutes as it will develop a burned taste. If you don’t plan to drink your coffee immediately, pour into a warmed, insulated thermos or carafe and use within 45 minutes.
Filter & Drip Systems Coffee in these types of unit always taste better when you brew the full pot. So, brew the full capacity
of the unit (i.e., if 8 cup capacity brew 8 cups).
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OTHER BREWING TIPS
Don’t boil, reheat or hold coffee for very long on heat as it has the potential to cook off all the delicate flavors, leaving a bitter taste, which is a chemical reaction: the polymerization of phenols or pyruvic acid.
Don’t combine left over coffee with freshly brewed—doesn’t taste good. Never reuse coffee grounds. Once brewed, desirable coffee flavors have been extracted and only the bitter, undesirable flavors are left.
Glass and porcelain are best for brewing and serving, but if you must use metal, use stainless steel.
For the best iced coffee, brew double strength then cool. Make no more than 3 hours in advance.
When making drip coffee it’s best to swirl or mix the pot right after brewing. The coffee toward the bottom will be stronger
since it was brewed first.
Weak coffee may be due to using too little coffee, too coarse of a grind, too cool water or too short of a brewing time, all of which affect strength or weakness. The shorter the brewing time, the finer the grind.
Take your time. A perfectly prepared cup of coffee should be enjoyed as thoughtfully as it was brewed. Smell the aroma, sip and notice the flavors. Compare the body, acidity and balance to other coffees you’ve tried. A freshly brewed cup won’t last long, but every sip will bring you a moment of joy.
