Brewing the perfect cup of coffee

COVID-19 pandemic sparks growth of ‘at-home’ baristas

The pour-over is a drip technique that has been commonly used in Europe since the 1900s. Hand-pouring hot water over filtered coffee grounds accentuates the flavors and aromas of the beans. Submitted photo

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V. CRAIG CAMPBELL JR. SMALL-BATCH CRAFT COFFEE ROASTER, RIVER BOTTOM ROASTERS

COVID-19 has given many people a chance to slow down and smell the beans. That extra 30 minutes not spent commuting has allowed them to take half that time to brew the most perfect cup. Sure, the Keurig is even in on this party. After all, disposable filters allow you to enjoy your own savory grounds.

What’s the best way to brew those tasty beans? Brewing your coffee at home has never been easier. Here are the most popular methods of brewing, with some simple tips and tricks:

Drip coffee makers:

Drip coffee makers range in price, size and features, and are regarded as the most popular way to brew coffee.

WHEN USING A DRIP COFFEE MAKER:

Always buy whole beans. At RBR, we offer fresh, whole beans for peak freshness. We recommend grinding at home before each brew. A conical burr grinder, such as the Jura Capresso 560.04, is best. Inexpensive blade grinders give an inconsistent grind size and alter flavor extraction.

Measuring is key! Adding too much coffee and not enough water can lead to a bitter pot; however, too much water and not enough coffee will give you a watered-down brew. The secret sauce: 1.5 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water or 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water.

Turn it off. Removing your pot of coffee from the heat source ASAP is also key for premium taste. The goal is to prevent burning the coffee and giving it a bitter taste. Also, wash your pot after each brew to avoid a burnt taste.

Meet the French press.

The French press, also called la cafetière (a coffee plunger), or a coffee press in different parts of the world, is one of the more elegant styles of brewing.

THERE ARE THREE MAIN INGREDIENTS TO MAKING THE PERFECT CUP OF COFFEE VIA THE FRENCH PRESS:

Freshness. Only use the freshest beans.

Grinding. If you grind your beans right before you press, you will ensure the fullest flavors. The longer the grinds are in the air, the more they will lose their flavor. Make sure to use the coarse grind setting.

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Temperature. The water temperature should be hot, but not quite boiling.

Fun fact! The French press was invented by accident around the late 1800s, when a Frenchman left the house for his daily walk and forgot to add coffee to his boiling pot of water. He poured in the grinds, stirred and waited, yet all the grinds floated to the surface. An Italian merchant passing by offered a metal screen and a stick to push the grinds down in the pot. The men threw out the grinds and drank the coffee. In amazement, they realized they just tasted the most delicious cup of coffee they'd ever had.

RBR recommendation: Bali – Blue Moon Roast with hints of chocolate and vanilla and a creamy body Single-cup coffee makers: Our love/hate relationship

Are they cute? Yes, they are. Are they good for the planet? No, not really. But we can help change that. Keurig and Nespresso have reusable coffee filters that allow you to use your own coffee.

RBR recommendation: Ethiopian Natural that brings a super aromatic cup and unique flavor. Pour-over: More time, more flavor

The pour-over is a drip technique that has been commonly used in Europe since the 1900s. Hand-pouring hot water over filtered coffee grounds accentuates the flavors and aromas of the beans. The process is more hands-on than drip coffee brewing because you’re controlling the coffee-extraction process.

THE FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Cloth vs. paper filters. While paper filters provide less cleanup, cloth filters require more maintenance. However, they will not compromise taste and help reduce waste.

Should the grinds be coarse or fine? All you need to remember is that coffee pots use regular grind and French presses use coarse grind.

Pay attention! The pour-over method relies on timed pouring intervals and simple techniques to get a balanced flavor extraction. Sorry, no more Instagram while brewing.

Blooming. Once you pour the 200-degree water in a circular motion for a few seconds over the grounds, they will begin to rise and “bloom.” That releases gases and the flavor inside the grounds.

Adding too much coffee and not enough water can lead to a bitter pot; however, too much water and not enough coffee will give you a watered-down brew. For best results, use 1.5 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water or 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water. Submitted photo

Caring for the beans

The goal is to preserve and protect those delectable and intoxicating fresh beans for as long as possible. There are a lot of cute canisters and jars out there with fun sayings, but most of them will not keep your beans fresh. The flavor of the beans is compromised anytime light or air gets into the canister. Keep beans in a dark, cool location.

RBR recommendation: The Airscape Canister is our favorite because of its patented technology to keep coffee airtight and fresh.

Sustainability is key. RBR is committed to sustainability and protecting our planet. By brewing our own coffee and using reusable cups, we can do our part to lessen the overall “fast-coffee” footprint. Repurposing coffee grounds at home is a trend we can support. After all, new hobbies are another way to spend some fun time at home. Three fun ways to repurpose coffee grounds

Homemade fertilizer. Sprinkle coffee grounds around plants, or mix grounds and warm water in a spray bottle to make a fertilizer mist for your garden.

DIY body scrub. Did you know that coffee grounds work as an exfoliator? By adding brown sugar, coconut oil and vanilla, you can create the most delicious-smelling scrub for the bath or shower that removes dead skin cells, making skin feel smooth and look brighter.

Deodorize your fridge. To neutralize food odors, fill a jar with grounds and place it, uncovered, at the back of the fridge.

No matter how you choose to brew your coffee, or use it around your home, we are excited to be there along the way. — Places