5 Tips To Brewing A Perfect Cup of Coffee!

A Morning Cup of Joe

All right, let me hear it!  Are you like me…when you go to bed you are already thinking of your first cup of Joe the next morning?

I look so forward to having my cup of coffee in the morning.  Is it the actual taste or the ritual of waking up to a warm creamy cup of coffee?  I think it might be a bit of both!

One could argue that coffee isn’t good for you and another could argue that it is a super food/drink!  I am not here to get into all of that!

Plain and simple, I am here to show you how to brew a perfect cup!

What Makes Me A Coffee Expert?

Alright, who am I to be writing about coffee right?  Well, I do know a thing or two about coffee and bagels! Bagels??  I know, in my past life…let me explain.

In 2001 my husband and I opened a restaurant/cafe called Savannah Bagel Cafe!  Oh, what a thrill to start something from nothing and build it into a popular hot spot (It is still open to this day).

We had bagels, an espresso bar, delicious coffee, a full breakfast menu (including grits, a southern favorite) and deli sandwiches and salads.

Before opening our cafe, we had many experts come to us to teach us about coffee and I can not tell you how extensive our search was for finding the perfect cup of Joe for our cafe.

Common Mistakes When Brewing Coffee

So after much tasting and after many expert opinions, we chose what we felt was a perfect cup of coffee.

Our coffee rep came in to show us how to brew a perfect cup of coffee.  He freshly ground the coffee and placed it into the filter.  Whoa…I stopped him!

“That can’t be enough coffee”, I said. He assured me it was and that most people use way too much coffee when brewing their own coffee.  Alright, I will trust him on this…

So he brewed the first pot of coffee and oh my goodness it was perfect!  Imagine how much coffee I had wasted in the past…wow, he used way less than I did. In fact, 50% less!

5 Tips To Brewing A Perfect Cup of Coffee

So here are 5 tips to brewing a perfect cup of coffee!

1. Using The Right Amount of Coffee – alright I know this is different for everyone, but many people think that if you want a stronger brew you should use more coffee.  This isn’t necessarily true.  One pot of coffee (12 cups) uses 2 oz of freshly ground coffee beans.  That is about 1 tbsp per 6 oz of water.  This is half of what other popular brands recommend. If you want a stronger brew, consider changing the bean or the roast.

2. Finding The Right Roast – so we all have a different preference when it comes to coffee.  I prefer a bold smooth flavor but nothing bitter.  A French roast, bold in flavor and smooth is a perfect combination for me.  When choosing between a strong bold flavor or a weaker smooth flavor, it is all in the bean, not in the amount you put in to brew your coffee. That being said, if you use 1 tbsp per pot of coffee it will, of course, be weak, but 1 tbsp per 6oz cup of coffee is plenty of coffee to create a nice tasting cup of coffee.

3. Finding The Right Grind – the grind of the coffee is also very important.  A coarse grind usually creates a weaker coffee and a very fine grind can create a more bitter coffee.  An espresso bean is ground very fine and often creates a very bitter brew.  Drip coffee brewed at home is often a medium grind and if you use a french press to brew your coffee a finer grind is often preferred.

4. Use Filtered Water – for the best-tasting coffee, it is best to use filtered water.  I use my Reverse Osmosis System’s Water and it brews an amazing cup of coffee!

5. Use Fresh Coffee Beans – It is best to buy coffee beans and not ground coffee.  Grind your beans just before you brew your coffee for the best tasting coffee.  If you do buy ground coffee it is best to use it within a weeks time after opening it.  Never store coffee beans in the refrigerator or freezer, it can destroy the bean.  It is best to store in an airtight container in the pantry or a cool dry place.

Recommendations for A Coffee Machine and Beans

I have come to the realization that a more expensive coffee machine doesn’t necessarily brew a better cup of coffee.  In fact, I have had 2 expensive coffee machines and both broke within a year.

I like this Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker!  It is under $40 and brews an amazing cup of coffee.

Here is my coffee grinder that I use and the one I use to sell in my cafe: KRUPS Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder.

My favorite coffee is Cameron’s Organic French Roast Whole Bean Coffee!  It is hands down the best coffee I have brewed in years!

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