The science behind making great coffee

Coffee is one of those things that there is always a huge level of debate about, and there are even people who always think they know best. However, enjoying coffee is all about finding something that you like, whether that means you add milk, sugar, or just enjoy the coffee black.

There are, however, some proven factors that go into making great coffee, and we’re sharing some of the tips that go into making amazing coffee beverages below.

Buy great quality beans

While there is always some debate about which types of coffee are best, and we all have our personal preference, there are certain things about coffee that are undeniable. Quality is not up for debate. There is a whole professional body dedicated to grading coffee beans based on things like purity. So while you might prefer one type to another, and that is fine, we always recommend buying high-quality beans.

It also makes sense to buy single origin coffee beans as these are scientifically proven to have more of a taste profile and much more nuanced flavors to enjoy. Some coffee brands that offer “blends” have truly given them a lot of thought, but others are just looking to create something that is cheap to produce.

If you want to make the very best coffee, buy fresh beans that have been roasted within the past few weeks.

Store your beans properly

When you have opened your bag of coffee beans then you need to think about how you are going to store the rest.

A lot of containers that claim to be air-tight aren’t actually air-tight. This means that the oxygen will get to the beans and start to impact those complex flavors.

There is also a lot of debate about whether or not you should freeze your beans. If you are likely to need to store them for a couple of weeks or longer then it is often a good idea to freeze the beans. This is a matter of personal opinion, and you should still use an air-tight container.

Grind just before brewing

Roasted coffee is quite perishable and the compounds that are within them that provide amazing flavors can start to break up and deteriorate once they are exposed to oxygen.

Of course, by grinding, we’re introducing a lot more air to a lot more coffee, so we recommend doing this just before you’re going to brew and not a second sooner.

Get the temperature right

The temperature at which you brew the coffee makes a huge difference. It is one of the areas of real science that goes into making amazing coffee. The extraction process, when the water passes through the coffee and absorbs its qualities, depends hugely on the temperature.

If you have water that isn’t warm enough then you won’t get the sweet compounds or the nuanced and interesting flavors that coffee has to offer.

If you use water that is too hot then you will end up with something that is over-extracted, with bitter compounds that don’t taste anywhere near as nice as the coffee has the potential to.

Get the ratio right

So many people just throw some coffee and hot water together and get brewing. It is much better if you can work out what ratio of coffee to water makes the best flavor. If you are using a french press, for instance, the ratio we recommend is 16 to 1. That means that for every one gram of coffee, you should use sixteen grams of water.

Using consistent ratios can help you to ensure the coffee tastes the same brew after brew, so you don’t end up with a perfect coffee one day and a weak coffee the next.

Get to know your equipment

There are so many different methods of preparing coffee that you have probably already tried multiple brewing methods. Whether you prefer an aeropress or a dripper, the most important thing is that you get to know your equipment and how it works.

Properly understanding the process of the equipment means that you understand how it extracts the flavor and what works best. There is a reason why the best baristas can create such delicious drinks, and a huge part of it is that they know how their espresso machine and other equipment work. In fact, they know coffee inside out.

Summary

There is so much to understand about coffee if you are looking to create something that is truly great. Some people will always have strong and even contrary opinions, but if you follow the guidelines above, do your research, and get plenty of practice in then you should be able to make beautiful coffee for you and your guests. Remember, it is all about finding a formula that works for you!