Instructions for Making Coffee

An Introduction to Brewing: An NCA Guide

There is no one "correct" way to prepare coffee; rather, it should be prepared according to your own preferences.  

However, if you dedicate yourself to learning the basics, you can greatly improve your technique. From here, you're free to try out a variety of roasts, origins, and preparation techniques.

Follow our lead for the perfect cup of coffee every time.

What We Need To Know About The Gear

Be sure to clean your coffee equipment like grinders and filters after each use.

Use clear, hot water to wash (or a clean, damp cloth) and pat dry. In order to avoid future cups of coffee tasting bitter and rancid, it is essential to ensure that no grounds have been left to collect and that no coffee oil (caffeol) has built up.

If you use a single-cup coffee maker, here is some maintenance advice to keep it running smoothly.

The Beans

Beans are the foundation of a good cup of coffee. The brewing method you prefer is important, but the type of coffee you buy also makes a big difference in the final product. There is a great disparity between roasts, so be sure to read our A Reference to Different Styles of Roasting

Flavoring elements can be found in:

You can choose a dark, flavorful espresso roast coffee and still have it ground to be brewed in a drip system; there is no right or wrong option. Have a good time experimenting with various pairings

Freshness

You should get your hands on freshly roasted coffee as soon as possible. Purchasing coffee in small quantities (ideally every two weeks) ensures that you always have freshly roasted beans. Listed below are some suggestions to help you out with advice on preserving coffee for later use preservation with the goal of maximizing flavor and freshness

To add insult to injury, you should never use old coffee grounds again. Coffee's pleasant tastes are all extracted during the brewing process, leaving only the bitter aftertaste. Instead, consider the following six options for reusing soil.

The Grind

To get the most flavor out of whole bean coffee, you should grind it right before using it. In order to achieve uniform particle size, a burr or mill grinder is recommended.  

Using a blade grinder is not ideal because not all of the beans will be ground to the same consistency. Try having your coffee ground with a burr grinder at the store if you typically use a blade grinder at home; you'll notice a huge difference. (Whichever method you choose, always use the grinder in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer, and take all appropriate safety measures. )

Grind size has a significant impact on coffee flavor. Your coffee may have been over-extracted or ground too fine if it has a bitter flavor. If your coffee is lacking flavor, it may be under-extracted from a coarse grind.  

(Here's a quick infographic that should help you choose the right texture for your chosen brewing method.) )

Specify your preferred brewing method when ordering freshly ground coffee. I was wondering if you planned on using a French Press. Drip filters, typically in the shape of a flat plate or a cone, A filter made of fine gold mesh They'll grind it to your specifications for use in whatever dish you're making.

The Water

To make great coffee, you need to use good water. If your tap water is not safe to drink or if it has an unpleasant taste or odor (like chlorine), consider switching to filtered or bottled water.  

Fill the coffee maker with cold water and let the tap run for a few seconds if you're using tap water. Never use filtered or treated water.

Quantity of Water Needed for One Cup of Coffee

The "Golden Ratio," which recommends using one to two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water, is a good starting point. One's personal preferences in flavor can be accommodated.  

For an accurate cup measurement, examine the markings on your coffee machine. Moreover, keep in mind that some brewing techniques result in water loss due to evaporation.  

The Water's Temp

To begin with, let's prioritize safety. Naturally, all necessary precautions should be taken for the safety of everyone involved, from those preparing the coffee to those serving and drinking the coffee.  

For optimal extraction, keep the water in your brewer between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use water that is too cold, your coffee will be weak and under-extracted, while using water that is too hot will cause the opposite problem. (Cold brew, however, does not require heating.) )

If you're making coffee the old fashioned way, bring water to a full boil before adding grounds. Take the water off the stove and let it sit for a minute before pouring it over the soil.

After being served, coffee typically cools quickly, though this can vary depending on the vessel used. Even more commonly, cream or milk, which also has a cooling effect, is added to coffee by many drinkers. Like many of the other factors that give coffee its unique flavor, the ideal serving temperature is a matter of personal preference. Some of the many advantages of serving coffee immediately after brewing include the following: Standards for cup quality recommend brewing at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower serving temperatures should be considered when serving hot beverages, especially in retail or clinical care settings where there is a risk of burning or scalding. Those who drink coffee frequently want to cool it down before drinking it, either by adding cold milk or cream or by waiting for it to cool to a more manageable temperature. Based on the results of one study, the ideal serving temperature for coffee is 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

When making or serving any kind of hot drink, whether for yourself or a customer, safety must always come first. NCA cannot give specific advice regarding any particular working environment or situation, so please consult with internal counsel before making any safety-related decisions and refer to our Food Safety Plan Templates for industry-specific information.

The Waiting Period While the Beer Is Brewing

One more thing that makes a difference in how your coffee tastes is how long the water stays in contact with the grounds.  

The recommended contact time for a drip system is 5 minutes. The recommended contact time for French Press coffee is two to four minutes. Espresso's brew time is among the shortest of all coffee preparations, lasting only 20-30 seconds. However, cold brew requires a longer steeping time, around 12 hours.

Perhaps you didn't like the flavor because:

• The brew time was too long, resulting in overextraction.
• Insufficient extraction due to insufficient brewing time.

The ideal contact time will depend on your personal preferences, so feel free to play around with it.

Be happy with your java.

Prepare only as much coffee as you intend to drink, as its flavor begins to degrade quickly after brewing. If you don't want to wait an hour to drink your coffee, you can put it in a thermos once it's been heated.

(Don't panic; stale coffee is probably not harmful; it's just not very appetizing.) No matter what you read online, you should always use your own judgment before consuming anything. )

Enjoy your coffee with the same care and attention to detail that went into making it. Smell the aroma as you sip. In order to get to your cup, many hands have been needed.