Home Brewed Coffee 101

  To make a great cup of coffee, the quality of the water you use is just as important as the beans. Learn about the importance of water in coffee making and how to optimize your coffee preparation for the best taste.      Most of us don't often think much about water, but when making coffee you must realize that more than 98% of the stuff in your cup IS water.  The first thing to NOT do is simply use tap water.  Please for the love of coffee, at least use a filter if you aren't using bottled water.  The next thing to avoid is using distilled water.  I know that sounds a little funny since first I am saying to use purified water, but then don't use ultra-purified water.  The distilled water is completely devoid of minerals which would help the water to absorb some of the coffee content.  Also, it can damage your expensive electronic equipment because it will leach minerals out of the metal parts.        The best product to use is bottled filtered water.  Another big thing t

Since the gift-giving season is approaching  I thought I might create a post listing some coffee subscriptions to help everyone out.  Give the gift of coffee to your favorite people or even just to yourself.  This is not sponsored and is not to be perceived as a recommendation for any of these companies. Angel's Cup Coffee Atlas Coffee Bean Box Coffee Black Oak Coffee Blue Bottle Coffee Boca Java Coffee Brothers Coffee Carabello Coffee Counter Culture Coffee Craft Coffee Crema Coffee Driftaway Coffee Java Presse LaColombe Coffee Mistobox Coffee Moustache Coffee Partners Coffee Peets Coffee Purity Coffee Red Bay Coffee Three Heart Coffee Tandem Coffee Trade Coffee Un'kuppd Coffee Yesplz Coffee Of course, this is not a complete list, if your favorite is missing please comment.  Be sure to let me know your favorite and why you enjoy them. Pin/Save/Share for Later

Cowboy coffee is a simple and rustic way to brew coffee, traditionally made over a campfire. Learn how to make a delicious cup of cowboy coffee with this easy recipe and enhance your coffee experience.          This is probably not the preferred method for just about anybody, but if you have no other choice, it will do the trick. The appeal is that it requires minimal effort and equipment.  This is typically only used when roughing it, like on a camping trip. Make a pot of water over a campfire, after it gets to a good solid rolling boil, take it off the heat and add in the coffee grinds.  Let the mixture steep for a few minutes, two to five is typical.  When you pour this, first let the grinds settle.  You will want to pour slowly, so the grinds won't pour into your cup.  Realize this may be a little gritty.  If you have tried this and would like to share any tips, please feel free to comment below.

A water kettle is an essential tool for coffee lovers, providing hot water quickly and efficiently for coffee making and preparation. Learn more about its benefits and how to choose the right one for your brewing needs.         If you are using any of the coffee brewing methods that require you to manually heat up the water ahead of the brewing (Aeropress, french press, manual pour-over) then you may find it convenient to use an electric kettle.  I have found that a goose neck style gives me more control over the pour than just dumping it from a pot.  The electric kettles typically heat up the water quicker than a stove will.  Some kettle styles allow you to heat up the water on the stove, or fire for people who want an old-fashioned way to make coffee.     Probably the most common reason for using an electric kettle is the speed bonus.  You definitely want to consider how long a kettle takes to get to the temperature before making a purchase.  These should all be less than five minute

Roasting coffee with a popcorn popper is a simple and affordable method to achieve delicious, home-roasted coffee beans. Discover the steps and techniques for perfecting your own coffee roasting process.  Popcorn Poppers are one cheap way to roast coffee that is a step up from the completely manual methods.  This is ideal for your first foray into roasting.  A popcorn popper can typically be purchased for around twenty dollars.  The biggest problem I have faced with popcorn poppers is the internal components burning out and it just stops working. If you have read all of the other methods, the idea of maintaining a log still applies here.        You just put the green beans into the popper and let it do the magic.  The popper circulates hot air into the chamber, so the beans are roasted more evenly than a manual method.  The popper won't have a chaff collector, and you are unable to control the temperature, making this one of the more low-tech methods.  With careful logging, you can

  Roasting coffee at home is a rewarding and flavorful experience. Discover the art of cast iron coffee roasting and learn how to elevate your coffee-making skills with this comprehensive guide.      The second most basic method of roasting coffee beans is in a cast iron pan.  Consistency is very hard to achieve with basic methods like this one, but it does help if you want to learn the art before moving up to the big leagues.  I personally make sure to note the temperature and times in an observation log so that if I have exceptionally good results, I can replicate them.  I like to know at what time I noticed the cracks as well as when I stopped.  For this method just constantly stir it with a wooden or metal spatula and play around with trial and error.  This is another technique that doesn't require electricity for those who are camping, living off the grid, or just preparing for the zombie apocalypse.  

  Cold brew coffee is a refreshing and smooth alternative to traditional hot coffee. Learn how to make your own cold brew at home and discover the best tips and techniques for preparing this delicious beverage. Cold Brew is different than hot coffee that has been cooled.  This is made by adding coffee grinds and water that is either cold or room temperature together and letting it set in the fridge for about twenty-four hours.  This is kind of like the crock pot method of coffee because you "set it and forget it", you won't be able to enjoy it immediately.  This makes a different cup of coffee because it results in less acidity.  Many people will notice that it naturally is sweeter and smoother.  When it is time to enjoy it you can pour it through a filter.  Another option is when you begin making it you put the grinds in a cheesecloth bag like the kind used to make almond milk.  You can just take the bag out and toss the grinds and wash the bag for your next use.  Cold b

Single-serve coffee pods are a convenient and easy way to make a cup of coffee. Learn more about how to use them and find out if this is the best option for your coffee-making needs.  Single-serve coffee pods started becoming popular around 2010 with the invention of Keurig.  These are nice because this is the most convenient method.  Just pop a pod into the machine and push a button.  Naturally this means the least control over the outcome, but at the same time it allows for the most consistency.  This could be good or bad, it means you always get the cup you love or the cup you don't like. If you are interested in Keurig , you may view their official page.

The Aeropress is a popular coffee brewing device known for its simplicity and versatility. Discover the art of making delicious coffee with an Aeropress and learn different techniques and tips for the best coffee preparation.   An Aeropress technique is kind of like a combination of French Press and Espresso.  The technique has no one right way, many people do it differently.  This is kind of like a double-edged blade because it makes it more problematic to prescribe a method.  What we can do though, is use tips from the pros and emulate the best recipes.  First the water is heated up.  Invert the Aeropress so the plunger itself is on the counter.  Next coffee grinds are poured into the Aeropress.  We want to use about twice the grinds you would normally use. Then all of the water is added like a French press except we do not worry about pre-infusion and bloom.  Instead you will stir this rather vigorously for about thirty seconds.  Once it has had sufficient time to become properly ex

  Manual pour over is a popular coffee brewing method that allows you to extract the full flavor of the coffee beans. Learn about the steps, techniques, and tips for making a perfect cup of pour over coffee at home.     This method is similar to using a standard drip coffee maker, but you have more control over the water temperature and the pouring speed. You also don’t need any electricity, which makes it ideal for camping or living off the grid. You start by boiling the water and then letting it cool down for about thirty seconds to reach around 200 degrees. Then you slowly pour it over the ground coffee in a filter, using a figure-eight motion to wet the coffee evenly. There are many brands of this type of coffee maker, but Chemex is one of the most famous. You may purchase Chemex products on their site.

  Espresso is a highly concentrated coffee beverage made with finely ground coffee beans and hot water. Learn about different methods of coffee preparation and how about enjoying espresso at home. One day quite some time back a coffee drinker didn't want to have to wait for their coffee to finish brewing so they asked the question "What would happen if I used pressure to force the water through the bed of grinds?"  This led to the creation of Espresso.  Rather than just making regular coffee quicker it actually made an entirely different kind of coffee with a unique flavor.  Other coffee drinks that are built on that are lattes and cappuccinos.  The idea is to use steam to foam up or heat some milk to be added to the espresso.  This is usually the most expensive to make in terms of purchasing the necessary equipment and often the most difficult to master.  The cheaper machines will normally have a cost approaching $100.  The problem with these machines is that pulling con