Whether it is a cup of refreshing Americano to wake up in the morning or a hand-brewed coffee to relax in the afternoon, a cup of good coffee can always bring pleasant enjoyment. Many people think that good coffee can only be tasted in coffee shops, but in fact, as long as you master some simple methods, you can also brew a mellow and fragrant coffee at home. Today, let's talk about how to use the most common tools and methods to brew a perfect cup of coffee at home.
Step one: Choose the coffee beans that suit you
1. Fresh coffee beans are the key
The flavor of coffee depends largely on the freshness of the coffee beans. There are many coffee beans on the market, but if you want to brew a good cup of coffee yourself, it is recommended to choose fresh coffee beans with a roasting date within 2 weeks, so that the aroma and flavor of the coffee can be retained to the greatest extent.
2. Choose the type of coffee beans that suits you
Different coffee beans have different flavors. The common flavor characteristics are as follows:
- Yirgacheffe (Ethiopia): It has obvious floral and fruity aromas and high acidity, which is suitable for people who like fresh flavors.
- Mandheling (Indonesia): It has a thick taste with the aroma of nuts and chocolate, suitable for people who like mellow flavors.
- Colombia: It has a good balance, with a light fruity and nutty flavor, suitable for most people.
If you are just starting to try, you can choose medium-roasted coffee beans, which will not taste too bitter or too sour, and are the most suitable choice for daily drinking.
Step two:Grinding coffee beans: Find the right coarseness
The flavor of coffee depends not only on the coffee beans, but also on the coarseness of the grind. Different brewing methods require different grinding degrees:
- French press: coarse grinding (similar to coarse salt particles)
- Hand-brewed coffee (V60, Kalita): medium to fine grinding (similar to fine sugar)
- Espresso: very fine grinding (similar to flour)
- Moka pot: medium grinding (slightly finer than hand-brewed)
If the grind is too coarse, the coffee will not be fully extracted and the taste will be light; if the grind is too fine, the coffee will be over-extracted, resulting in a bitter taste. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right grinding degree.
For home use, you can choose an electric grinder, such as Timemore or Fellow, which can control the coarseness more accurately. If you don't have a grinder, supermarkets or coffee shops generally provide grinding services.
Step three:How to brew coffee in different ways?
1. Hand-brewed coffee (suitable for people who like delicate flavors)
Hand-brewed coffee is the choice of many coffee lovers because it can maximize the aroma and taste of coffee.
Tools: hand-brewed filter cup (such as V60), filter paper, hand-brewed pot, electronic scale
Steps:
- Prepare coffee powder: use 15 grams of coffee powder (medium grinding).
- Heat water: control the water temperature at 90-92°C to avoid excessive water temperature causing bitter coffee.
- Wet the coffee powder: first pour about twice the weight of the coffee powder (30 grams) of water, wait 30 seconds, this is the "steaming" stage, which can release the aroma and carbon dioxide of the coffee.
- Pour water in sections: Pour water slowly in 2-3 times to allow the powder layer to soak evenly. The whole process should be controlled within about 2 minutes.
- Extraction completed: After the coffee liquid is completely dripped, it can be enjoyed.
Hand-brewed coffee has rich flavor layers and is suitable for people who like to savor coffee slowly.
2. French Press (suitable for people who like smooth taste)
French Press is one of the simplest ways to brew coffee. It does not require filter paper. The extracted coffee is rich in oil and has a smooth taste.
Steps:
- Prepare coffee powder: Use 20 grams of coarsely ground coffee powder.
- Add water: Add hot water at about 92°C (about 300 ml).
- Stir: Stir gently to allow the coffee powder to fully contact the water.
- Let it stand for 4 minutes: Let the coffee slowly extract. The time can be slightly adjusted to find the concentration you like.
- Pressing: Slowly press the filter lever and pour out the coffee.
The coffee from the French Press is richer than hand-brewed coffee and is suitable for people who like a mellow taste.
3. Moka Pot (for those who like strong flavor)
The Moka Pot is a simplified version of Italian espresso, which can make espresso close to Espresso.
Steps:
- Add water: Add water to the lower pot, do not exceed the safety valve position.
- Add coffee powder: Use medium grinding, fill the powder tank, do not press tightly.
- Heating: Heat with medium or low heat, the coffee liquid will be slowly pushed to the upper pot by pressure.
- Remove the fire source: When you hear a "hissing" sound, it means that the coffee has been extracted. Remove the Moka Pot immediately to avoid excessive extraction and excessive bitterness.
The coffee concentration of the Moka Pot is higher. You can heat milk to make latte, or drink it directly.
Step four:how to improve the taste of coffee?
- Use clean water: The water quality has a great influence on the flavor of coffee. It is recommended to use mineral water or filtered water to avoid the impurities in tap water affecting the taste.
- Adjust the ratio of coffee powder to water: Generally speaking, the golden ratio of coffee powder to water is 1:15, but you can adjust the strength according to your personal taste.
- Try different brewing methods: Each method will bring different flavors, you can try different utensils to find your favorite style.
- Use the right cup: Glass cups can better show the aroma of coffee, while ceramic cups can keep the heat longer.
Conclusion
Brewing coffee at home is not difficult. As long as you master the selection of good beans, correct grinding, and the right brewing method, you can make a cup of good coffee comparable to that of a coffee shop. Whether you like the delicateness of hand brewing or the richness of a moka pot, everyone can find a brewing method that suits them.
Next time, why not try it and brew a cup of perfect coffee that belongs to you using your favorite method.