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A Journey into Perfect Coffee Brewing: A Complete Guide to Making the Best Coffee at Home
This guide will walk you through the essentials of brewing, from the crucial role water plays in flavor development, to the best practices for espresso and filter coffee. Whether you're a seasoned coffee enthusiast or just starting your coffee journey, understanding these elements will help you brew a cup that brings out the best of our specialty beans.
The Role of Water in Brewing
Water is the largest component of your cup of coffee, making up more than 98% of what you drink. That means the water you use plays a crucial role in determining the flavor of your coffee. For optimal brewing, water should have a balance of minerals, which help extract the flavors from the coffee grounds.
Water Hardness: The hardness of your water refers to the amount of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Ideally, your water should have a total hardness of 50-175 mg/L (ppm) to produce a balanced extraction.
Carbonate Hardness: This impacts the water’s pH, which in turn affects the flavor. A slightly alkaline water with a carbonate hardness of 40-70 mg/L works best for coffee brewing.
The perfect water for coffee
If your water falls outside these ideal ranges, you can adjust it by using a water filter or mineralized water such as Apex or Third Wave Water to achieve the right balance. Always check your water's mineral content with a water test kit, or ask your water supplier for detailed information.
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Espresso Brewing: Precision in Every Shot
Espresso brewing is an art form, where precision in ratios and timing makes all the difference. For the perfect espresso:
Ratio: We recommend brewing at a ratio of 1:2 to 1:2.2 (18g of coffee to 36g of extracted coffee). This ratio offers a balanced extraction.
Extraction Time: Your extraction should fall between 20 and 30 seconds. Anything shorter will result in an overly acidic shot, while anything longer will create bitterness.
Water Temperatures
Experiment with your equipment to find the ideal settings, but keep this range in mind for consistency and flavor. Additionally, brew temperatures should be between 92°C and 94°C, as temperatures outside this range can negatively affect extraction.
Filter Coffee Brewing: Crafting Balanced Flavors
Brewing Ratio: The Gold Cup Standard recommends using 60g of coffee per 1 liter of water. For smaller batches, such as 270ml, use 18g of coffee.
Temperature: Water temperature should range from 92°C to 94°C to ensure optimal extraction.
Conclusion: Perfecting Your Brew
Understanding the intricacies of coffee brewing—from water composition and brewing ratios to roast freshness—will help you achieve the best cup possible. With C•SOL's commitment to sustainability, quality, and community, we believe every cup should be a reflection of these values. Whether you prefer a well-balanced espresso or a clean and bright filter brew, the journey to perfecting your coffee starts here.
Remember, brewing coffee is as much about the experience as it is about the flavor. So take your time, experiment, and enjoy every step of the process!
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):
The SCA recommends a TDS of around 1.2-1.45% for filter coffee. This represents the amount of soluble coffee material in the brew, and achieving this range ensures a balanced cup.
To reach this target, use a refractometer or a reliable brewing scale that includes TDS measurement. By experimenting with grind size, water temperature, and brewing time, you can dial in the perfect cup.
The Impact of Roasting Date on Your Brew
Freshness is a key factor in coffee brewing. After roasting, coffee should rest for 4-7 days to allow the flavors to develop for filter brewing, while espresso is typically best 10-14 days after roasting. Freshly roasted beans release more CO2, so you may need to adjust your grind size to a slightly coarser setting during the first few days.
Our recommended Coffees and Gadgets for an Adventure like this.
C•SOL MiiR Camping Cup
€ 37,00
C•SOL MiiR Thermo Traveler
€ 42,00
FELLOW Stagg EKG Electric Kettle
€ 169,00