Blog: How to brew coffee

There are many ways to brew a good cup of coffee, and everyone has their unique preferences – a hearty cup in the morning, a lunchtime cappuccino or an espresso following a meal? Do you like a dark roast or a lighter blend? What kind of coffee grind do you have? No matter how you choose to brew your perfect cup, the suggestions below will help enhance your brewing routine…

The equipment

Ensure that your equipment is thoroughly cleaned and that there is no build-up of old coffee residue or grounds. Residue can affect your fresh coffee, making it bitter.

The coffee

Buy your coffee in small amounts depending on how much you drink – ideally this should be every two weeks. To keep the coffee as fresh as possible ensure that the bag is sealed and store out of sunlight, do not put it in the fridge or freezer as condensation can form and affect the beans.

The grind

If you buy whole bean coffee, grind the beans as close to the brew time as possible. If your coffee tastes bitter then the ground may be too fine, however if it tastes flat it means that the grind is too coarse. Try rubbing the ground between your fingers to establish the differences in size.

The water

The quality of water is underestimated when it comes to brewing your coffee, the condition of the water is very important. Use filtered or bottled water, as tap water could contain chlorine which will make your coffee give off a strong odour or taste. If you are using tap water, let it run for a few seconds before filling your coffee pot.

The proportion of coffee to water

Use the correct proportion of coffee to water; a general guideline is 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee per six ounces of water. This can be adjusted to suit personal taste preferences.