Countertop Appliances
How to Make Coffee: 4 Different Ways (Step-by-Step)
Having a cup of great coffee is a vital part of the day for many, but going to a cafe isn't always convenient. The good news is that anyone can brew a perfect cup of coffee with just a little knowledge and the right equipment.
The art of brewing coffee is in the details since the only two ingredients are often beans and water. Keep reading to learn more about selecting the right beans, grinding correctly, monitoring water temperature, and selecting the right equipment.
We will explain how to make coffee at home for you and your guests using drip, pour over, French press, and cold brew methods.
HOW TO SELECT THE PERFECT COFFEE BEANS
To brew the best coffee at home, you need high-quality coffee beans.
Before you start brewing coffee, you should consider three things: whole beans vs. store-ground, the common types of coffee beans, and the importance of organic coffee beans.
ARABICA VS. ROBUSTA
Which coffee has the best taste? It depends on your palate. Arabica and Robusta beans are the most common beans. Arabica beans are considered to be the "better bean" because they produce a sweeter, softer taste, while Robusta beans are easier to grow and found in supermarkets, but they have a harsher, stronger taste and contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans.
ORGANIC MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Beans that are certified organic are not sprayed with pesticides or chemicals during growing, but that doesn't guarantee that they're of the best quality. Choose specialty-grade coffee for its high quality. By purchasing certified beans, you are assured that they were grown and harvested in ideal conditions. Visit your local roaster to find them.
WATER, THE SECRET INGREDIENT
Fresh, high-quality coffee beans have been selected, so it's time to consider the final ingredient - water.
Using tap water may not produce the best-tasting coffee. You definitely want this element to be the very best, so always use bottled or filtered water. Water with chlorine and other chemicals can produce unwelcome notes in your coffee. For the best home-brewed coffee, you should use high-quality water that contains minerals, which are not found in distilled or softened water. Distilled or softened water can also be damaging to your machine and will require replacement.
Be sure to use an excellent filter, and change it every six months, in order to get clean, fresh filtered water straight from your fridge. everydrop® ice and water filters are the only filters approved by KitchenAid.1
1. everydrop® products and the recommended brand's products are owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation
The temperature of the water is crucial to how well your coffee will taste because water is the thing that extracts the flavour from your beans. Experts recommend using water between 195º F-205º F (90º C) ; water in this range will dissolve your grounds most effectively. A weak cup of coffee is the result of too cool water, and a bitter cup is the result of too hot water.
SELECTING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING GREAT COFFEE
Superior coffee beans, check. Clean, delicious water, check. The final piece of the “how to make the perfect cup of coffee” puzzle is high-quality equipment.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
FILTERS
Filters are essential. Look for paper filters that are oxygen-bleached or dioxin-free. For an eco-friendly solution that produces bold flavor consider investing in a gold-plated filter.
SCALE
Are you wondering how to make coffee like a pro? The key is to have the right amount of grounds. Using a measuring cup and spoon to measure your grounds will do. If you want to go the extra mile, a digital kitchen scale will allow you to measure them more accurately.
COFFEE GRINDER
Investing in good coffee beans may be wasted if you lack a good grinder. There are two types of grinders available – burr grinders and blade grinders. The burr grinder is usually more expensive, but it offers better control over your grind and is especially important for pour-over coffee makers. Blade grinders feature a blade at the center, similar to the blade in a blender. It’s more difficult to get an even grind with this method but pulsing can help you control the consistency of the size of your grounds.
COFFEE MAKER
Each coffee maker has its own distinct style, and the choice comes down to personal taste. Based on how much coffee you need to brew, how much time you have available, and what kind of flavour you want, you might want to invest in one or more of them.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the most popular options and their advantages. Be sure to shop the KitchenAid® coffee collection for more inspiration.
FAST AND EASY
A drip coffee maker will produce large quantities quickly. Perfect for entertaining.
FOR THE PURIST
In the pour over method, you have complete control over every aspect of the brew and can tweak or alter its characteristics with a few slight adjustments in technique.
SET IT AND FORGET IT
A cold brew coffee maker extracts flavour by steeping in cold water (12-24 hours) – rather than using heat – for a less bitter taste and a powerful caffeine punch.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT CUP OF COFFEE
Here's your chance to create your own delicious barista-style drinks.
Listed below are detailed instructions for the different brewing methods we have discussed.
DRIP COFFEE
- Put grounds into a filter lined basket and place in your coffee maker – if grinding your own beans grind to the consistency of table salt.
- Swivel spout over the center of the grounds.
- Pour purified or filtered water in the back of the coffee maker and press “on.”
- When coffee is done brewing, turn the machine off to avoid burning your coffee.
Serve and enjoy.
A general rule of thumb for coffee to water ratio is called the “Golden Ratio”– 1 to 2 tablespoons (4.9 to 9.8 ml)of coffee per 6 ounces (29.5 ml) of water. But keep in mind that coffee is personal so you may want to adjust according to taste.
POUR OVER COFFEE
- Bring cold, filtered water to a boil in a kettle. A gooseneck style is ideal for pour overs.
- If using whole beans, grind to the consistency of table salt.
- Put a paper filter in the brewer, then rinse with hot water to remove filter residue and warm the brewer. Discard used water.
- Place a level layer of grounds in the filter and pour water that has been heated to 195º F-205º F (90.5-96.1C) slowly and evenly over the grounds. Start in the center of the grounds and work your way out. Stop pouring before the coffee begins dripping into the brewer to allow the coffee to de-gas. This is known as the “bloom” pour.
- Take the next 3-4 minutes to slowly pour the remaining water over the grounds. Remove the filter. Serve and enjoy.
FRENCH PRESS COFFEE
- Bring filtered water to a boil in a kettle.
- If using whole beans, grind to the consistency of coarse breadcrumbs. Add the grounds to the French Press.
- Heat the water to 195º F-205º F(90.5-96.1C) and add it to the French press. Stir heated water into the grounds. It will take about 4 minutes to brew. Slowly plunge, separating grounds from the brewed coffee.
- Serve and enjoy immediately. To avoid bitter coffee, pour any leftovers into a carafe and enjoy later.
COLD BREW COFFEE
- If using whole beans, grind to the consistency of coarse breadcrumbs.
- Add filtered water and ground coffee to the cold brew maker.
- Steep for 12-24 hours in your refrigerator.
- Strain through a filter or cheesecloth into a clean container.
- Add milk, ice and enjoy. Store extra cold brew in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
BEST COFFEE RECIPE
The simple pleasure of a well-crafted cup of coffee is one of life's simple pleasures - and some might argue, it's essential. It might be necessary to experiment a little with roasts, water temperatures, and the coffee maker itself to craft the best coffee recipe for you. But don’t stop at that perfect cup of home-brewed coffee.
Now you can take your newly acquired barista skills and apply them to a special latte, coffee frappe, or decadent coffee dessert. There are so many possibilities out there. Check out this recipe for Cold Brew Coffee Floats to get started.
