Have you ever wondered why the Coffee you make at home tastes different from the ones you buy at cafes or restaurants? Or why two cups of coffee from the same place can taste different? You may be quick to blame the brewer, but a recent study, suggests that this variation is due to an inherent inconsistency in common coffee brewing methods.

Yesterday I was asked by a close friend of mine, “How do you make a good cup of coffee?” 

More precisely, I was asked how to make a great cup of coffee at home like a professional barista and what the steps to making a good quality cup of coffee are.

I talk about and write about coffee a lot, and I had to think about that for a couple of minutes. And here is what I wrote for my friend who asked, “How do you make a great-tasting cup of coffee?”. I did add a few more details here than I did in the 10 minutes I had with my friend. But he can always read this post. I did give him the link to this website.

No matter what technique you use when brewing coffee, be it steaming, drip, espresso or press, we will give you the essentials to help you brew an amazing cup of coffee every time.

Therefore, it is never too late to learn because once you understand these steps, you will be closer to becoming a professional barista. Here are some of the factors that you should consider to ensure your satisfaction and brew the perfect cup of coffee every time you need it

Three Simple Steps On Making A Good Cup Of Coffee At Home

The Quality And Type Of Coffee Beans

When it comes to making the perfect cup, the quality of the Coffee Beans is of utmost importance. Many times you can brew the ideal coffee but lose the taste and professionalism. 

Well, when choosing coffee beans, keep quality high because the bean is an important ingredient in achieving the desired flavour. Therefore, we always recommend that you buy a small amount of high-quality coffee beans to ensure you always drink fresh coffee.

Proper roasting of coffee beans will change their flavour, texture and colour. Furthermore, proper roasting will help to extract a better flavour and aroma. Therefore, check the date and choose freshly roasted coffee beans for the best results.

Do you like it strong, medium or light? If you want it stronger, go with the darker roasts and work your way down. If you are a novice, you are probably buying from your local grocery store, and I recommend getting the whole beans. Not the pre-grounded coffee because you will lose a lot of the flavour. It is always preferable to grind the coffee beans just before brewing. This will help you extract the fresh aromatic flavour from your ground coffee beans.

Suppose you have a bean grinder at home. Grind it as you use it. If you don’t, then grind it at the store. If you like flavoured coffees, do the same. As your tastes mature and your experience grows, you can go online and try a variety of organic, name brands, coffee shops or exotic varieties of coffees. I will add some more of these products and varieties as we discover them together. 

Important recommendation: Do not store your coffee beans in the refrigerator or fridge. They remain fresh and good exactly at room temperature, so you just need to keep them on your counter or pantry with the proper airtight container to ensure the freshness of the coffee beans.

Water 

The other main variable (85%) is water. Filtered water is the best. We live on our farm up in the hills of upstate New York, Making Great Coffee, and we have well water. It is actually very hard and has a lot of natural chemicals, such as minerals, that react and affect the coffee beans, which causes them to lose their flavour and aroma, resulting in a bitter taste. As a result, filtered water is highly preferred as it removes all those impurities.

In addition, the temperature of the hot water is critical to getting the perfect cup of coffee using any brewing method. If the hot water temperature is too high, too much coffee will be extracted, resulting in a bitter taste; if the water temperature is too low, less coffee will be extracted, resulting in a reduction in flavour and aroma.

Therefore, always keep the hot water optimum temperature between (92°C to 96°C) for the best results.

Storing brewed coffee

For the best results, after brewing coffee, it should be stored in a place where the brewing temperature can be maintained. Maintaining the temperature of the brewed coffee helps to maintain its freshness and aroma.

If it is not stored under thermal protection, the temperature can begin to drop, resulting in a bitter taste. The best way to preserve the flavour of brewed coffee is to store it in a vacuum-insulated carafe or cup. This helps maintain the temperature, preserves the flavour and provides a great taste in each sip.

These steps are the main and basic plan to prepare delicious coffee at home. Preparing coffee like a barista is not difficult; it is just a matter of taking into account some small considerations.

Everyone (that drinks coffee, anyway) has their favourite time of day to have their coffee. I have my favourite seasons, as well as my favourite time of day. I personally love my cup of coffee in the morning when I like to do my morning meditation and get my day started on a good note. A good reading to get my heart and mind in the right place, as well as a great cup of coffee to get the body off and running on a good note as well. 

Making coffee and all of the best coffee secrets are here, and we look forward to your comments and recommendations, so please, if you have any making coffee tips or techniques, you would like to share with us all.