Coffee Brewing Basics

Pot should be easy to clean, to ensure that the oil from the coffee is removed during the cleaning process, or you will get a stale taste to your brew.

Brewing Strength

Your coffee maker (no matter which one you choose) will come with directions advising how much coffee per cup you should use. Also, people's taste vary in their preferred strength of coffee, but strong coffee tastes better, and if you have taken the time to purchase a special brew, you will certainly be able to appreciate the nuances in acidity, taste, and even bouquet with a strongly brewed cup. Our recommendation is at least 2 level tablespoons (or 1 standard coffee measure) per 5 - 6 oz. cup. Also keep in mind that a mug usually holds almost 8 ounces, so you will have to adjust your coffee measurements accordingly. If caffeine is a concern, you can adjust for this by blending some caffeine-free coffee with your regular coffee.

In filter or drip systems, you should brew the full capacity of the brewer. It will taste better than if you brew less than the capacity of the brewer. The only exception to this is an automatic drip brewing machine that has an option to change the timing of the brewing by the number of cups brewed. However, if the automatic drip system does not have this feature, then the coffee will perk for the amount of time it takes to brew the capacity whether or not you are making the full capacity which will cause smaller amount of coffee to "overbrew."

Water

Bad water makes bad coffee. If it doesn't taste good when you drink it, it won't make a good cup of coffee. Bottled water or a filter system provides the best water for making coffee.

Water Temperature

Coffee should never be made with boiling water. The water for coffee should be hot (around 200 degrees F), but never boiling. This allows the coffee to steep rather than boil and will greatly improve flavor.

Brewing Methods

Open-Pot Brewing

The open pot brewing method is aptly described by its name. Although this method is not favored by convenience-driven, rushed coffee drinkers, some coffee aficionados like this method, because they feel "involved" in the brewing of the coffee. Coffee is placed in a pot of hot (not boiling water), stirred to eliminate any lumps, and then strained to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee.

A variation of the Open Pot Brewing method is to purchase a little nylon bag at a coffee specialty store. The bag sits inside the straight-sided coffee pot and is supported on the outside by a plastic ring. You just put the coffee in the bag, pour the hot water over it, and after steeping for 2 - 4 minutes, you lift the bag (and grounds) out of the pot. This is a variation on the Biggin coffee pot that was popular in England in the late 1800s and early 1900's.

Brewing directions:

1. Bring cold water to a boil, but remember to let it cool for a minute or
more, since you should never use boiling water when brewing coffee.
2. Put the coffee in, using a somewhat fine grind (those called "drip" work well for this method of brewing).
3. Stir to remove any lumps.
4. Let steep for 2 - 4 minutes.
5. Strain the coffee and serve

French Press

The French Press method of brewing was developed in Italy during the 1930s, but became popular in France after World War II. It has also grown quite popular in the US.

The pot is basically a glass or metal cylinder with a mesh-screen plunger that fits inside of the cylinder.

French Press Pots are also available in smaller sizes for brewing an individual pot and have become popular with travelers.

Brewing directions:

1. Put coffee in the cylinder.
2. Boil water and let it cool a little and pour over the coffee.
3. Place the plunger in the top of the pot without pushing it down.
4. Let coffee steep for 4 minutes and push the plunger through the coffee. This forces the grounds to the bottom of the pot.

Tips for successful brewing in a French Press

Use coarse to medium-grind coffees. If the grind is too fine, the plunger will be very difficult, if not impossible to push down.

Buy a French Press that has an insulated decanter, or the coffee will cool too quickly.

Ensure that you press the plunger straight down. Pushing at an angle will easily break a glass container.

Prices

French Press pots can be purchased for as low as $15, but due to their newfound popularity, they can get very pricey, so do your homework before purchasing.