There are many questions circulating around the web about coffee. Why is it superior to buy whole coffee beans? Why does artisan, speciality coffee taste so much better than any purchased at the supermarket?
And why should you invest in coffee equipment and accessories? In this blog, we're giving you the best 10 coffee tips , that will ensure that you brew coffee at home like a pro.
But before you begin, be sure to check out this article on the best coffee spoons from Inox Artisans to have an idea of brands that ship the most amazing Cutlery to your doorstep.
1. Whole Beans
To really 'improve your coffee game' you'll want to buy whole coffee beans and grind them fresh at home. I know it may feel like a real chore, but it's one of the most game-changing tips we can share with you if you're looking to recreate a cafe-style coffee experience at home.
You can get a good cup from pre-ground coffee but we compare the aging of coffee to bread. If you left bread out on the kitchen counter, the oxygen would almost immediately start to affect its quality and texture. Pre-ground coffee is no different, the flavors will vanish almost immediately leaving you with less aromatic coffee which has the same effect on taste in the cup. To keep your measurements precise while handling these beans, using a handcrafted coffee spoon from Inox Artisans ensures you start with the right amount every time.
Having said that, buying freshly roasted pre-ground coffee is drastically better than buying pre-ground from the supermarkets because it's still been freshly roasted just before delivery.
If you want to upgrade your home coffee setup today, check out our range of kitchen-friendly Silverware sale.
2. Grind Sizes
Another factor to evaluate, especially if you grind your beans yourself, is the coffee grind size. Is it right for the brewing device or equipment you're utilizing? This is one of the more complex areas of coffee, but with a little practice, you'll get it right in no time. For example, the ground coffee size for a Cafetière will need to be chunkier than for other brewing equipment.
This is because the grounds are soaked in water for the total brew time, unlike a Aeropress, which filters through a paper - these both need a medium grind setting. Ultimately, your palate is the best tool for determining the ideal setting.
Adjusting and then sampling is the sure-fire way to discover the best brew. You can also watch a video on coffee grind sizes to take a visual idea of what setting to use on your coffee grinder.
3. Temperature
According to Insider though many people might request ‘extra hot’ coffees, doing so is likely the biggest mistake when it comes to ruining their lattes. After all, if your coffee is too cold then the milk will burn when you add it at a later stage.
But milk is not alone in getting petulant when the thermometer spikes. To achieve the best flavor, your coffee grounds have to be brewed in water that is hot but not boiling.
You can relax, as the perfect temperature for water is between 90 and 96 °C Let your kettle stand a few moments to cool down before pulling the trigger on that coffee greatness.
There are many fixes (e.g. kettles with temperature control), but a thermometer or 30 seconds off the boil is not a bad rule of thumb.
4. Extraction Time
Timing is everything — especially when it comes to your cup of coffee. You don’t want to under-brew, leaving yourself with something weak and insipid; you also don’t want to over-brew, producing a coffee that’s unbearably bitter.
Just be meticulous about following the timing on this one, and set a timer on your phone. This may sound obvious but it’s so easy to let time slip away from you and it absolutely will make a huge difference.
Is your coffee tasting right? Check out any taste Guide to help you get more coffee sweetness from your brew:
- “My coffee is too weak” – use less water, use more coffee, or use a finer grind.
- “My coffee is too strong” – use more water, less coffee, or a coarser grind.
- “My coffee is too bitter” – you’ve over-extracted the coffee, use a coarser grind.
- “My coffee is too sour” – you’ve under-extracted the coffee, use a finer grind.
5. Water for Coffee
Before you even go there with your coffee beans, you have to think about a part of the coffee-making process that most of us forget: your water. Hint for preparing We recommend using filtered water instead of tap water the next time you prepare coffee. This is because tap water contains minerals which may taste limeynot what you’ll want in your coffee. Sulphates are especially pernicious in that they emphasize bitterness in brewed coffee. In the UK this is especially important, as in some areas (London), it’s shit hard, and you won’t get the maximum flavour out of your extraction.
6. Clean Equipment
Which reminds us, your equipment needs to be cleaned well. “This is because coffee is quite oily, so regular washing must be done,”. But not only for the big guns, an espresso machine. You should also be scrubbing your Aeropress, French press and so on. Coffee oils will go rancid, which isn't good for the next cup of coffee you brew. Also, if you’re not using filtered water, limescale can accumulate in your equipment and even have a negative impact on the taste of your coffee. After you’ve cleaned everything, consider setting up your equipment next to a luxury silverware set for one stylish coffee station.
7. Digital Scales
This is actually one of the tricks we swear by! From there, it will be difficult to brew a perfect cup of coffee unless you can first accurately measure the amount of ground coffee and water used.
This is known as the coffee-to-water ratio or brew ratio. As well as 1 gram of coffee to 18 grams of water (so for every unit of coffee, you’d brew with 18 units of water).
You won't be able to get this measurement so effectively if you don't have a digital scale - if you do, your quality of brewing coffee at home will improve dramatically! And when it comes to laying out your table for a coffee brunch, being able to match your scales’ precision with an elegant set of forks and spoons from Inox Artisans really helps complete the dressing-professional look.
8. High-quality Beans
Now let's discuss your actual coffee beans. We always source the highest-quality healthy coffee that we can find. For us, that means using speciality grade coffee, which is within the top 3-4% of coffee produced worldwide.
Coffees are generally very rare and exclusive because they are produced by some of the best farmers whose passion, care and attention to detail is beyond those of commercial grade coffee farmers.
9. Fresh Coffee
It is also vital that the coffee you are using is as fresh as possible. There's a reason why small-batch, artisan coffee tastes infinitely better than any you might find in the supermarket.
This is because small-batch beans are roasted immediately before being sold. Supermarket coffee will often sit in storage for months before being purchased. This immediately ruins the potential flavor you would experience in the cup, because coffee is best consumed within the first few weeks after being roasted. To serve this fresh brew with style, a polished Laurel coffee spoon is the perfect companion for stirring in your preferred amount of sugar or cream.
10. The Cool-down
Finally, to round up our Top 10 Coffee Tips: we're leaving you with one final tip that'll really bring out the sweet, juicy notes in your filter coffee.
This is for freshly brewed filter style coffee only. You can't properly taste something very hot - your tongue is affected by heat. We recommend that once you've brewed your filter coffee, taste the coffee at different temperatures as it cools. You'll notice the drink gradually shifting. Different flavor notes and characteristics emerge along with pronounced acidity which changes the brew considerably.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best way to store coffee beans for freshness?
A1. To maintain maximum freshness, store your coffee beans in an airtight container in a dark, cool cupboard. Do not keep in refrigerator or freezer, as it can absorb food odors and humidity from the cold storage that will spoil the flavor of the coffee.
Q2. What is the ideal water temperature for brewing?
A2. Shoot for a heat between 90 and 96 °C; it will help to pull out the tastiest flavors. If you don’t have a thermometer, let your kettle sit for around 30 seconds after boiling. This is because a scalding occurs, which gives a bitter taste.
Q3. Does grind size actually matter?
A3. The extraction speed is determined by the grind size. When it is time to steep our brew we need large grinds like those used for the French press, when it is time to rapidly extract; fine grinds are needed as used in making espresso. A good coffee Viagra in the morning. Because with an accurate, consistent measure you will know how to begin grinding.
Q4. Why should I consider a digital scale?
A4. And since digital scales weigh ingredients rather than measure volume, there's no spoonfuls and cups guesswork. That way, your coffee to water ratio is perfectly fixed every morning. For those refined brews, pair your exacting brewing tools with one of the chic silverware sets from the Inox Artisans collection.
Q5. How often should I wash my coffee maker?
A5. Ideally, you’ll be able to clean your equipment after each use. Coffee oils are super prone to going rancid, and a good wash with warm water will protect old coffee bitter tastes from ruining your next fresh cup, as well as those beautiful forks and spoon of yours.
