Brewing Basics

Let’s face it – we all want a great tasting cup of coffee. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to achieve that when brewing at home. 

Here are 3 basic tips to brewing a great cup of coffee:

1.  Use fresh whole beans
Whole beans stay fresh longer than ground coffee. Look for a “roasted on” date (instead of a best before date) to ensure freshness. Beans that are used within a few weeks of roasting offer the most vibrant flavour.

2.  Grind beans just before brewing
This gives you the best aromas and flavours. This may also allow you to use less grounds per serving because you’re able to capture the maximum flavour. Using the right grind size will make a big difference as well: 

  • French press – coarse grind
  • Auto drip and pour over – medium grind
  • Espresso – fine grind


3.  Use filtered or distilled water
Coffee is 99% water so the water quality is crucial to the taste of your coffee. Filtered or distilled water contains fewer impurities than tap water and should have no discernible taste of its own. This often enhances coffee’s natural flavours. It also reduces the mineral scale and other deposits that build up in your coffee maker.


Beyond the basics, there are a few other tips that can help you get the most out of your coffee:

4.  Coffee : water ratio
The ratio of coffee to water is key to achieving a balanced cup. Typically a ratio of 1–2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water is recommended, but feel free to adjust it based on your preference.

5.  Water temperature
Equally important is water temperature for manual brewing methods (ex. French press, pour over, AeroPress). If you have the ability to adjust your kettle settings, the sweet spot for most coffee is between 195–205°F (90–96°C). Otherwise, let the kettle sit for 1–2 minutes after boiling to let the water get to the right temperature for brewing.

6.  Brew time
Choose your brew time depending on the method you use:

  • Drip and pour over – aim for 2 to 4 minutes
  • French press – around 4 to 5 minutes
  • Espresso – only 20 to 30 seconds


7.  Storage
Finally, storing your coffee beans in an airtight container, in a cool, dark place, will help to maintain their freshness.


These simple steps can help you bring out the best in your coffee, no matter the brewing method.

GRIND. BREW. ENJOY!

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