Gourmet Coffee Chatter

Ok, you’ve invested in some premium gourmet coffee. Now you want to get the best out of that coffee. Here are some brewing tips to help you.

It’s all in the beans.

Hopefully, you’ve bought the coffee whole bean and not pre-ground. Coffee is a product with a shelf life. In the best of all worlds you would roast your own coffee beans, but not everyone has the dedication or time to do that. Once roasted the longer your coffee stays in whole bean form the longer it will yield the freshest possible cup of coffee.

Invest in a burr grinder (not a blade grinder) and only grind what you need for a few days at most. Even better, grind what you need for this pot right before brewing.

Measure the grounds. Suggested is 2 tablespoons per 6-8 ounces of water. You may prefer more or less.

About Water, Temp & Time

Use the right kind of water, either spring water or filtered water. Tap water imparts undesirable flavors to the coffee and lacks some minerals essential to coffee flavor. Distilled water lacks essential minerals necessary for coffee flavor.

The ideal temperature of the water is 195-205 degrees  Fahrenheit.

Brew for 4.5 – 5 minutes.

Miscellaneous Tips

Don’t leave your brewed coffee on the hot plate. This will ruin your gourmet coffee in as little as 20 minutes. Invest in a carafe or thermos mug. Pour the coffee into the carafe or mug to preserve it’s heat and taste.

Depending on your level of enthusiasm for coffee (and your budget) invest in better equipment. Coffee makers with temperature controls, built in grinders and other bells and whistles are readily available in a variety of budget constraints. No need to break the bank with your coffee making equipment and plenty of  high end if you’ve got the money.

Until next time – happy brewing.

Tags: Arabica coffee, Blended Coffee, coffee bean, coffee brewing, coffee brewing tips, Gourmet Coffee, roasted coffee, single origin coffee