Preparing and enjoying a great cup of coffee is a pleasure, and few things as simple as brewing coffee provide such rich rewards. Brewing coffee is a lot like cooking with fresh produce: Start with the best, freshest ingredients, take care to do it well, and you will create something astonishingly delicious.
Use freshly roasted and just-ground coffee.
Brew with water heated to between 195 and 205F.
Use 1.6–2 grams whole bean coffee per 1 oz (28 grams) water, adjusting to taste.
Store whole bean coffee in an airtight container, out of direct sunlight, and away from heat, cold, and moisture.
Different brewing techniques require different particle sizes, based on how long water and coffee are in contact. Generally, brew methods with shorter contact times, like espresso or Aeropress, require a finer grind size; longer, slower brew methods, like French Press, work better with a coarser grind.
Taste and brew time tell you which direction to go. If your mouth feels dry with an ashy aftertaste, you’re likely grinding too fine. If the coffee tastes weak, sour, or a little papery, you may be grinding too coarse.
Pour over is an easy-to-master brewing method that any quality-minded minimalist will love. Simple manual brewers such as Beehouse or Kalita Wave drippers produce aromatic, sweet and clean coffees. The former and latter are great choices for brewing for one or two; larger format brewers (like a Chemex) just require minor recipe tweaks to make enough coffee for the whole band.
Our favorite method is to brew a concentrate and pour it over ice to cool, using basic pour over brewing equipment. Melting ice adds to the total water volume without weakening the final brew. Fast, intuitive, and delicious, we can’t think of a better way to enjoy coffee when temperatures soar.
Love a big-bodied coffee? This classic and straightforward steeping method consistently produces a creamy, rich mouthfeel that adds a touch of luxury to your coffee experience. Available in multiple sizes so you can brew for one or a crowd.
Is storage space tight? Are you brewing for one? If you answered yes, you’ll love AeroPress. This compact and lightweight brewer is a go-to for brewing on the fly. Try our inverted method, then go your own way.
Whether you’re gearing up for an outdoor adventure, on the road, or at your desk, all you need is hot water for the perfect cup of Counter Culture that you know and love.
