Making coffee isn’t a very complicated process. In fact, if you can read the instruction label on a coffee brewer, you can do it. Making a crazy good cup of coffee, however, requires a little more attention to detail. In order to make the best coffee you’ve ever had, you’ll need to pay attention to several different factors affecting quality. Some are obvious, and others are more subtle – but all are essential in brewing great coffee.
Choosing Your Coffee Maker
The most popular brewing tool, by far, is what’s called a drip brewer. They adorn the kitchen counter of nearly every household you’ll ever set foot in. And though they all look pretty similar, there is actually some difference in the way certain ones make coffee. The ones you’ll find on discount store shelves, for example, tend to make more watery-tasting coffee. The reason for this is that their temperature regulating mechanisms aren’t of the same quality as more well-made (and expensive) coffee makers. Whichever one you choose, don’t be afraid to splurge a bit – this is one appliance that will undoubtedly be a fixture in your home for years to come.
Alternative Brewing Methods
There are a few other ways to brew coffee aside from the drip brewing method. Before these automatic machines existed, people often used the percolating method or the steeping method to make their own coffee.
The percolator is a stovetop device with which you can make coffee manually. It consists of an aluminum pot, a stem, a filter, and a basket on top to hold the finished product. To brew coffee with one, pour the desired amount of water into the bottom aluminum pot, place the stem and basket assembly in the pot upright, and add the desired amount of coarse grounds to the basket. Then, place it over medium heat. The way it works is actually pretty cool, as the pressure from the heat forces water up the percolator’s stem and through the coffee grounds into the basket. At the top of the percolator is a small glass knob which you can use to judge when the coffee’s done. Simply take a peek through the knob at the liquid in the basket. When that liquid is a nice, coffee colored black, your coffee is finished and ready to serve.
An even more primitive method of coffee making is called steeping. To perform it, all you’ll need is a pot, some water, and loose coffee grounds. Start by adding the coffee grounds to the bottom of the pot (about one heaping tablespoon per desired cup). Then, add the water and place the pot over high heat. Pay close attention to the brew as the water heats. As soon as you see it start to bubble, remove the pot from the stove and give it a light stir. Now, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the grounds to settle. When the waiting period is over, your coffee is ready to enjoy.
Coffee Beans
The type of coffee beans you choose are solely a matter of opinion. While some love the taste of pre-ground instant coffee like Folgers and Maxwell House, coffee aficionados often prefer to grind their own coffee beans from whole imported ones. The best recommendation is to try a variety of brands and roasts to find which one suits your tastes best. The average coffee drinker, for instance, tends to like medium roasted Arabica beans. They’re known for a mild flavor and fantastic aroma. But after some taste testing, you might find that you like dark or light roasted beans. Taste is a completely subjective matter – so don’t be afraid to go against the grain and find the coffee bean that suits you best. But no matter which type you choose, be sure that the beans are sealed in an airtight package. Those that aren’t tend to taste noticeably stale.
In order to clarify your array of choices in coffee beans, the following are some of the most popular bean types for consumption. First on the list are the South American Arabica beans. They are imported from countries including Colombia (which supplies about 10% of the world’s coffee), Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Brazil. Because they’re from the same continent and grow in similar soil types, these South American Arabica beans have similar tastes. They’re known for milder, earthier flavors. Depending on the variety you get, different types of Arabica have hints of chocolate, certain fruits, and even a small amount of citrus. Africa, meanwhile, is also known for its Arabica beans. Because their coffee beans are also grown in the tropical latitudes, they are typically pretty close in taste to South America’s Arabicas. Main areas of African coffee production include Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The other main type of coffee, called Robusta, is grown literally all over the world. As a plant, it is much more hardy and resilient than Arabica. The trade off, however, is that Robusta is also much more bitter in taste and very high in caffeine. Typically, it is used as a blend with Arabica to make coffee-related drinks like espresso.
Water Quality
No matter which type of coffee bean you like best, water quality is a less subjective matter. The impurities in tap water are often magnified when the water temperature is raised to coffee brewing level. A simple water purifier will do the trick in making sure you’re not unknowingly making funky-tasting coffee.
The Drip Brewing Process
The overall coffee making process using a drip brewer is pretty simple. If you’re using a drip coffee brewer, simply fill the reservoir with the desired amount of water, and add the desired amount of coffee grounds to the tray above the pot. Your drip brewer’s instruction manual will specify whether a paper coffee filter is needed. If you’ve decided to go with whole beans, then it’s first necessary to grind them with an inexpensive coffee grinder before adding them. The key coffee making nuance to pay attention to is the amount of coffee grounds per unit of water you desire. The standard for most coffee drinkers is two tablespoons per six ounces of water – but you should feel free to adjust it to suit your tastes. So, with the coffee grounds added to the top tray and the water added to the reservoir, the drip brewer is ready to go. Simply press the “on” button, and wait for the dripping water to stop. When the coffee pot stops filling up, the coffee is ready. The additional quality of drip coffee makers that comes in handy is the warming tray on the surface where the pot rests. It keeps your coffee piping hot for up to an hour or more after the brew is done. But remember, if it’s been sitting for a while, the flavor will be overly bitter. Most coffee lovers dump an unfinished pot if it’s been sitting on the warming tray for over forty five minutes or so.
With this knowledge and a little controlled testing, you’re well on your way to making your own ideal cup of coffee. While it’s definitely not rocket science, making great coffee is something of an art for those who love it. And, with time, you’ll have your own “artistically perfected” technique for brewing the world’s favorite caffeinated beverage.
