Coffee Brewing Guides: Mastering the Dark Art of Brewing 

 

When it comes to brewing coffee, there's a world of flavours waiting to be discovered. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or a casual drinker, understanding different brewing methods can elevate your coffee experience. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into various brewing techniques, including French press, pour-over, espresso, AeroPress, and cold brew, to help you unlock the true potential of your coffee.

 

Water quality: Unfiltered (hard water) and Filtered

Although this isn’t essential for brewing methods that don’t include machinery, using unfiltered water can affect the taste of your brew. Regular water from the tap (hard water) can cause a quick build-up of limescale. This can cause a reduction in your machine's heating efficiency and can lead to clogs in the machine's pipes and lines, shortening the life span of your machine.  

 

French Press: Unleash Bold and Rich Flavors

What You'll Need:

  • French press (like the Hario French Press)
  • Fresh coarsely ground coffee beans
  • Hot water (just off the boil)
  • Timer

Brewing Steps:

  • Measure and Grind: Start with coarsely ground coffee (about 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces or 170g of water).
  • Add Coffee and Water: Place coffee grounds in the French press. Add hot water (90.5 - 96°C) and stir.
  • Steep: Put the lid on without pressing down and steep for 4 minutes.
  • Plunge and Serve: Slowly press down the plunger, separating the grounds from the liquid.
  • Enjoy: Pour and savour your rich, full-bodied cup of coffee.

The French press method is renowned for producing a bold and robust brew. It's perfect for those who appreciate the deep, full flavours of coffee. Experiment with different grind sizes in our store to customise the taste to your preference.

 

Pour-Over: Precision and Clarity in Every Cup

What You'll Need:

  • Pour-over dripper (like the  Chemex Classic Series)
  • Pour-over filter
  • Fresh medium-coarse ground coffee
  • Gooseneck kettle or regular kettle
  • Timer

Brewing Steps:

  • Prep the Filter: Place a filter in the dripper and rinse it with hot water to eliminate the paper taste.
  • Measure and Add Coffee: Use a scale to measure coffee (about 1-2 tablespoons per 6 ounces or 170g of water) and place it in the filter.
  • Bloom: Pour hot water (93°C) over the coffee, just enough to wet the grounds. Let it bloom for 30 seconds.
  • Start Pouring: Gradually pour the remaining hot water in a circular motion, keeping the water level consistent.
  • Enjoy: Once the water has passed through the grounds, your pour-over coffee is ready to enjoy.

Pour-over brewing provides a clean and nuanced cup of coffee, allowing you to savour the distinct flavours of the beans. It's an excellent method for those who appreciate the clarity and complexity of coffee.

 

AeroPress: A Portable Brewing Marvel

What You'll Need:

  • Pre-boil - skip if using temp temp-controlled kettle
  • AeroPress (like the AeroPress Go)
  • Fresh coffee beans
  • Grinder
  • Hot water
  • Timer

Brewing Steps:

  • Pre-boil: Before you begin making your coffee, make sure you pre-boil your water so that it can cool down as you prepare your coffee. Doing this will allow for a better-tasting coffee. If you use boiling water, the coffee will taste bitter and slightly burnt. If you’re using a gooseneck kettle with temperature control, you can skip this step
  • Measure and Grind: Grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency (about 2 scoops of ground coffee for 1 cup of coffee).
  • Prepare AeroPress: Before you Assemble the AeroPress place the paper filter inside the removable plastic filter and rinse through with hot water, then assemble the AeroPress and place it on your cup.
  • Add Coffee and Water: Add the coffee grounds to the AeroPress and pour the hot water (80 - 85°C) to the top. Stir gently.
  • Steep and Plunge: Insert the plunger and let the coffee steep for about 30 seconds. Slowly press down the plunger to extract the coffee.
  • Enjoy: Dilute the concentrate with hot water to your desired strength and enjoy a clean, flavorful brew.

The AeroPress is a versatile, portable brewing method perfect for coffee enthusiasts on the go. Its quick brew time and easy cleanup make it a favourite among travellers and outdoor adventurers.

Once you’ve got the hang of using the AeroPress, you can try experimenting with different methods of brewing, such as the AeroPress espresso. 

 

Cold Brew: Smooth and Refreshing

What You'll Need:

  • Coarsely ground coffee beans
  • Cold water
  • A large jar or pitcher
  • Fine mesh strainer or cold brew filter

Brewing Steps:

  • Measure and Grind: Use coarsely ground coffee (about 1 cup of coffee for 4 cups of cold water).
  • Combine Coffee and Water: In a large jar or pitcher, add the coffee grounds and cold water. Stir to ensure the coffee is fully saturated.
  • Steep: Cover the container and let it steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
  • Strain: Use a fine mesh strainer or cold brew filter to strain out the coffee grounds.
  • Serve: Dilute the cold brew concentrate with water or milk, and add ice. Sweeten or flavour as desired.

Cold brew offers a mellow, less acidic coffee with a smooth and refreshing taste. It's a fantastic option for those hot summer days or if you prefer a less acidic coffee. Don’t forget to keep this refrigerated, if left out the taste can become bitter/ sour and completely change in flavour profile.

 

Espresso: The Essence of Coffee in a Shot

What You'll Need:

Brewing Steps:

  • Grind Coffee: Grind your espresso beans to a fine consistency, similar to table salt. 
  • Tamp: Evenly distribute the coffee grounds in the portafilter and tamp them down firmly, any coffee left on top of the basket you can wipe off. Leaving any ground on top will get inside the chamber, which will then have to be cleaned out. If not, it will start to affect the taste of the next coffee.
  • Heat and Brew: Start your espresso machine, and the machine will force hot water through the grounds at high pressure.
  • Timing: A standard shot of espresso should take around 25-30 seconds to brew. If your coffee runs too long (over 30 seconds) you can adjust your grind to be coarser. The perfect pour is 28 seconds long. If your coffee runs too short (under 25 seconds) you can adjust it to be finer. The method of adjustment may vary on the machine you may have, however, it usually consists of turning the grind dial clockwise (fine) or anti-clockwise (coarse).
  •  
  • Savour: Enjoy your intense and flavorful shot of espresso or use it as the base for various coffee drinks.

Espresso is the foundation of many beloved coffee beverages like cappuccinos and lattes. The brewing process extracts the essence of the coffee, resulting in a concentrated and bold flavour.

 

Taste the Difference with Our Coffee Beans

Ready to put your newfound brewing skills to the test? Experience the full spectrum of flavours by using our premium coffee beans. We offer our signature coffee beans sourced from Papua New Guinea, ensuring the freshest and most exquisite flavours for your cup of coffee.

  • One-off Purchase: If you're looking to try our beans without commitment, browse our selection and make a one-off purchase.
  • Monthly Subscription: For a consistent supply of exceptional coffee, join our monthly or weekly subscription service. Enjoy the convenience of having your favourite beans delivered to your doorstep regularly.