Home Brewed Coffee 101

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 ma...

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...

  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 mac...

The French press is a popular coffee brewing method that produces a rich and flavorful cup of coffee. Learn how to use a French press and master the art of coffee making with this comprehensive guide. French Pressed coffee is, by some, considered to be the purest form of coffee.  It is a method of brewing by immersion.  It is achieved by steeping grinds in the water for a short period and then depressing a plunger.  The plunger is attached to the filter which is a fine mesh.  Because a paper filter is not used, the oils remain in the cup.  This creates a different mouthfeel when tasting which some prefer, while others do not.  Also of note, is that this method can result in some grinds making their way into your cup and having a gritty texture.  The oils can lead to elevated cholesterol levels if done too much and when consuming excessive fatty foods.  Before I begin I get the tap water as hot as it will go and fill up the French press and my cups...

Understanding the basics of coffee grinders is essential for achieving the perfect cup of coffee. Learn about the different types of coffee grinders, their functions, and tips for selecting and using them effectively to enhance your coffee preparation.      Pre-ground coffee is great for some people because it is much more convenient.  For anyone who is drinking coffee made from canned ingredients, the single biggest jump you can take in quality is to change to a whole bean and invest in a coffee grinder.  The reason for this is that you can get a much fresh coffee, and it allows greater control over the results.  Coffee grinders fall into two main categories, burr and blade grinders.        A blade grinder is on average going to be the cheaper of the two options and typically start at around twenty dollars.  They work just like a blender with a pair of blades circling around chopping up bits of beans.  The drawbacks to...