Ground Connection Coffee
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Home Brewing Tips from Ground Connection's Director of Coffee & Tea, Alex Mastrando
There are six essential elements for brewing great coffee:
1. Choose the correct coffee to water ratio. Great coffee happens when you use 2 tbs. (10g) of freshly ground coffee for every 6 fluid ounces (180mL) of water. You can adjust more or less to your taste, but 2 tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water is a great starting point.
2. Choose the grind that matches the brew time. If you're not sure what coffee grind to use, just think about your chosen brewing method. The coffee grind size directly affects how much time the grounds are in contact with water. Espresso machines for example require very finely ground coffee. A rule of thumb; the finer the grind, the shorter the brew time.
3. Properly maintain & clean your coffee equipment. Make sure that your equipment is thoroughly cleaned after each use by rinsing it with clear, hot water and drying it with an absorbent towel. Check that no grounds have been left to collect on any part of the equipment and that there is no build up of coffee oil. Such residue can impart a bitter, rancid flavor to future cups of coffee.
4. Use clean, filtered water. (Yes, your Brita water is fine!) Coffee is 98% water; so if your water isn't good, your coffee won't be good. If you do use tap water, allow the water tor un for a few seconds before filling your coffee pot. Never use distilled or softened water.
5. Decide on a brewing method/technique. Pour over (Chemex, Melitta Cone, Kalita Wave), Vacuum (Bodum Siphon), Immersion (French Press, Clever Dripper), Batch (Mr. Coffee or pretty much any drip brewer), When you chose your method, make sure you use the correct grind size that correlates with the method you brew. In all of these methods, brew at 195-205°. That's the perfect temperature for optimal extraction.
6. Choose an appropriate filtering medium. Make sure the filter you're using fits the method you're using. If your coffee method calls for a #4 cone filter, don't use a #2. Don't use makeshift filters such as paper towels or cheesecloth. Use a good quality filter, designed for the method in which you're brewing. And always pre-wet your filter. Pre-wetting washes off paper fibers and dust particles that can be transferred into the coffee and affect the flavor.
There's no such thing as a "tall" or a "venti." The drink itself dictates what size the cup should be and how much coffee you're actually getting!
Other tips:
*Always use fresh beans! If you buy a bag of coffee and there is no roast date on it, chances are the coffee isn't fresh. Great coffee is made from beans that are about 5 days old - or 5 days "off-roast."
*Never freeze or refrigerate your beans. Doing so will destroy the oils in the bean and you'll lose a lot of great flavor' plus coffee is porous and can absorb odors from the refrigerator.
*Invest in a scale that can measure in grams for consistent coffee, Weigh your beans.
Ground Connection
3 2nd St.
Jersey City, NJ
201-515-6240
https://www.facebook.com/GroundConnectionCoffee/