Elevating the Everyday: The Art of Home-Brewed Coffee

Making coffee at home is easier than you think. A good cup of coffee is a combination of method and high quality beans. There are so many different ways to brew a delicious cup of coffee at home without splurging on a fancy and complicated espresso machine. 

Pour Over

Pour overs are just what they sound: coffee where the water has been poured over it. It is a manual process that can brew a cup or a pot anywhere between 3 and 9 minutes. The most common way to make a pour over at home is with a Chemex or a V-60 dripper. 

A Chemex can come in different sizes–so you can make enough to share or just for you–while a dripper brews your coffee straight into your favorite mug. Both require filters, but you can reduce your waste by opting for reusable ones, such as canvas or mesh filters. 

This method of brewing results in a balanced cup of joe, where you can appreciate the different flavor notes of your favorite roast. One way to use this method is by creating multiple blooms. This is done by pouring the hot water in slow, circular motions–you’ll notice a shiny layer of foam on top of your grounds. Let the grounds sit and dull in color before adding more water in the same circular motion. Repeat this process until you’ve reached your desired quantity. While it takes longer, it allows for a stronger, more flavorful cup. 

Try it with our Sumatra or Mighty Peace!

Moka Pot

A moka pot is the perfect, affordable substitution to an espresso machine. It is simple to use and easy to maintain. While it lacks the signature crema of a traditional espresso, a moka pot uses pressure to make a concentrated cup of coffee perfect for homemade lattes.

Start with your stovetop at medium-high heat and the top of your moka pot open. Once coffee starts pouring out, lower the heat to  low or medium-low for a slower extraction. This will allow for a thin layer of crema and gives your coffee more body and intensity.

With medium roasts, like our Brazil and Bolivia, the chocolate notes are smooth and sweet. Whereas with a light roast, like our Ethiopia, the citrus notes stand out. 

French Press

French presses use a “steeping” method to brew coffee. By allowing your coffee to sit in the water, it is extracted for longer resulting in a stronger cup of coffee. This method takes anywhere between 4 and 8 minutes, and it is important to pour the coarsely ground coffee in first. That way, they are entirely soaked as they steep. 

Using a simple ratio of 10 grams of coarsely ground coffee per cup of water, soak your grounds completely and let it sit for 4 minutes uncovered. You’ll notice a crust forming on top of the grounds. Once the 4 minutes are up, use a spoon to gently break the crust, then let it sit for another 2-3 minutes before plunging.

 With a french press you can also make cold brew! Simply substitute the hot water for room temp, and let it sit in your refrigerator overnight. Try it with our Colombia or Peru!

Fun Fact: you can use a french press to create milk foam, perfect to top off an iced coffee. 

Aeropress

Perfect for camping or right before work, an Aeropress is compact and easy to use. This method allows for individual portions of coffee to be brewed right into your cup. Like with pour over methods, an Aeropress requires a filter, which can be single-use paper ones or a reusable metal or canvas filter. 

Other Useful Tools

A milk frother comes in handy for making frothy milk, perfect for hot lattes and cappuccinos. 

Scales, especially smaller ones, are perfect for precision and consistency. Why eyeball when you can measure out your coffee to the gram and get the same delicious tasting cup every time? 

A gooseneck kettle is perfect for pour overs or french press coffees. You have more control over how the water is poured, which helps you make sure all grounds are soaked. 

Making coffee at home doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. You can start simple and slowly work your way into designing your ideal home espresso bar.