DON’T BUY PRE-GROUND COFFEE
Pre-ground coffee loses its flavor faster than whole beans, and it’s also more difficult to tell how fresh it is. Ideally, you should buy your coffee from a local roaster; if that’s not possible, buy whole beans and grind them at home. This allows you better control over quality and freshness. Most grocery stores also sell pre-ground coffee, which typically contains lower-quality beans that have been ground too soon after roasting.
INVEST IN FRESHNESS, TOO
Coffee beans, like many foods, lose flavor as they age. If you want your brew to taste its best, buy coffee beans with a roasted on date that’s no more than a month old. Also, keep your beans in an airtight container at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. You can grind them ahead of time (store in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze), but make sure they’re completely cool before you store them in coffee cans or jars.
STORE YOUR BEANS PROPERLY
If you don’t have a reliable place to store your coffee beans, they can go stale. The best way to ensure that your beans remain as fresh as possible is by keeping them in an airtight container away from light, heat and moisture. Grind your beans right before brewing: When you grind your coffee immediately before brewing it, you’re more likely to end up with a higher-quality cup of joe.
KNOW THE TYPES OF ROAST
There are three different types of roast. These include light, medium and dark. Typically, dark roasts are bolder in taste because they have been roasted for longer periods of time than their lighter counterparts. Lighter roasts tend to be milder than their darker counterparts and often have more body. Medium roasts usually have a rich flavor with a nice balance between mellowness and brightness.
USE OPTIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE
The best water temperature for brewing coffee is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason optimal temperatures matter is that water that’s too hot will scald your coffee beans, but water that’s too cool may not fully extract all of their flavor and aroma. Ideally, you want hot enough water to brew it fast so there’s no under-extraction, but cold enough that you don’t over-brew your beans.
GRIND ON DEMAND
Pre-ground coffee is convenient, but you sacrifice freshness and flavor. By grinding your own beans, you’ll also ensure that they are evenly ground, minimizing bitter notes. If you have a manual burr grinder (like a Hario), grind only enough beans for each brew session. This will ensure optimal freshness. If you buy whole beans, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place like your pantry or cellar.
THE PERFECT RATIO OF BEANS TO WATER
For most coffee brewing methods, a ratio of about two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water is recommended. If you prefer weaker coffee, cut that amount in half. The key is finding a ratio that makes it easy for you to achieve optimal flavor from your beans with minimal effort. You should be able to get an ideal brew without having to play around with different grinds or ratios too much.
EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT BREWING METHODS
When it comes to buying coffee beans, it can be easy to let your options overwhelm you. When you’re overwhelmed, there’s a tendency to stick with what you know instead of trying something new and innovative. So how do you know if one brewing method is better than another? Go ahead and experiment with various brewing methods and see what works best for your taste buds.