The right way to make coffee is how you like it best. Coffee is personal. So let Coffeeka give you some important and powerful tips to master your technique and achieve a unique, sensational outcome. Here are a few basic guidelines, for your brewing method of choice, so that every cup you make takes your breath away.

1. Use outstanding specialty quality coffee beans

Coffeeka has your back for that. Pick from our exclusive Geisha, fresh single origin “El Capitan” or chocolatey Chiriqui Chill blend.

2. Fresh is best!!

Freshness is key to achieve a superb cup. Think double: freshly roasted and freshly ground. Once you roast coffee beans for consumption, their flavor begins to fade after approximately 12 days of storage. For ground coffee, this process happens even sooner. For this reason, it is better to use freshly roasted whole coffee beans, and grind them seconds before brewing. Aim to buy small batches, just the quantity you will use within a week or two.
Storage tip: Store your coffee in a cool, dry place preferably in an airtight container, never in the fridge. This will help preserve that fresh, optimum taste for longer.

3. The grind

How you grind your coffee also matters: we recommend a burr grinder to achieve evenness and consistency. Blade grinders use a rotating blade to chop the coffee, which results in uneven grinds and inconsistent results from one cup to another. Consistency is highly important for a quality cup. Manual grinders produce consistently uniform sized grounds, no matter what grind size you’ll need. For this reason, they are a great choice but they require some work (time and muscles – this is why you should never skip arm day).

4. Proper dosing

Using too little coffee will lead you to an over-extracted and bitter cup. On the other hand, using too much coffee will lead you to an under-extracted and sour coffee. The proper water-to-coffee ratio will result in an ideal extraction: a sweet, scrumptious cup of coffee, free of bitterness. The Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Golden Ratio is a great start 1:18 — meaning one gram of coffee for 18 grams (or ml) of water. For more seasoned coffee brewers, different ratios are recommended based on your brewing method. With time, you will master the proportions and get to know what you like best. Your personal golden ratio can – and should! – be fluid and ever-changing as your taste buds evolve.

5. Water

To get the best results out of your beans, use fresh, pure (not distilled) water. The ideal water temperature is 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. Water that is too cold will produce an under-extracted beverage, while coffee made with water that is way too hot will ruin the overall flavor.

Now is the time to get excited! Unleash your inner barista and get ready to be empowered to make a splendid cup from the comfort of your home. Keep your eyes open for our next post on suggested ratios for each brewing method – and enjoy!

Have a great day, the Coffeeka way!