How to Make Coffee at Home
Many people enjoy a hot cup of coffee and drop by their local coffee shop every day for their morning java. But when the shops are closed, you may not be able to rely on a barista to make your daily cup. If that’s the case, then perhaps you’re looking to replicate that same great taste of coffee from the comfort of your home. Learn how to make coffee at home using these three common brewing methods that will take your cup of Joe to the next level and save you a bit of money.
Pour Over Coffee
Follow these simple instructions for a delicious, aromatic, and complex cup of coffee.
What you need:
- 30 grams of coffee (3 Tbsp.)
- 590 mL (20 oz.) of water
- Kettle
- Coffee grinder
- Coffee filter
- Coffee dripper
- Mug
Instructions:
- Bring cold water to boil in a kettle.
- If using whole beans, grind the beans to a uniform consistency similar to granulated table salt.
- Rinse a filter with hot water and place it in the coffee dripper. Hot water removes the papery residue on the filter and warms up the dripper, keeping your coffee hot for longer.
- Place the dripper on top of your coffee mug.
- Add the grounds to the filter. Once the water is between 195°F and 205°F or 90.5°C and 96°C (or 45 seconds after boiling water is removed from heat), slowly pour enough water over the grounds to saturate them. Start from the middle and work your way outwards, moving the kettle in a circular motion over the grounds.
- Stop pouring as soon as you see coffee begins to drip through the dripper into your mug. Let the coffee and water gently combine before starting your second pour.
- Slowly pour in the remaining water, keeping the water level in the dripper between half and three-quarters full.
- Once you’ve poured in the rest of your water and the brewed coffee has dripped into your mug, carefully remove the dripper and serve.
Drip Coffee
If pour over coffee sounds too time consuming, try a simpler option using a drip coffee machine.
What you need:
- Ground coffee (use 2 Tbsp. of coffee to every 8 oz. of water)
- Water
- Drip coffee machine
- Filter
Instructions:
- If using whole beans, grind the beans to a fine consistency.
- Place a filter in your machine’s filter basket and transfer the grounds into the filter.
- Pour clean, filtered water into the coffee machine’s reservoir and then press the “On” button.
- Turn off the machine once the coffee is done brewing.
- Serve and enjoy. (Tip: Clean your machine once a month by running a mixture of water and vinegar through to remove built-up residue).
French Press
Try this popular coffee tool with a simple, convenient design.
What you need:
- Coffee grounds (7-8 grams, or 1/2Tbsp., of coffee to for every 200 ml, or 6.7 oz, of water)
- Water
- Kettle
- French press
- Spoon or stirring device
Instructions:
- Bring water to a boil in a kettle.
- Grind whole beans to a consistency similar to breadcrumbs (coarser than you would for pour over). Add the grounds to the bottom of the French press.
- Once your water is between 195°F and 205°F (or 45 seconds after removing boiling water from heat), pour it over the grounds in the French press.
- Stir the water into the grounds until well mixed. Let the coffee brew for about 4 minutes.
- Slowly plunge the press to separate the grounds from the coffee. Serve and enjoy.
Once you really get into coffee making, there’s a lot to explore and learn. From picking the right roast to finding the right brewing equipment, there are plenty of ways to enhance your daily cup of coffee. We hope we have given you some ideas on how to make coffee at home and inspired you to upgrade your morning Joe! For additional resources, check out the Expert Corner for articles on nutrition, wellness, and more.
