There are many options for brewing freshly ground coffee. Each offers a variation to the strength, texture, and even subtle taste the cup of coffee will produce. The grinder used, beans chosen, and very important is the water. Fresh, clean water at the correct temperature is vital to a great cup of coffee. Everyone has their favorite way to prepare coffee. Regardless of which brewing method you use, these tips will help you achieve the best results every time.
Start with freshly drawn, filtered cold water and bring to a boil. The best temperature for brewing coffee is between 195 F and 205 F. If you do not have a thermometer, simply let your kettle rest 30 seconds after coming to a boil. Making coffee is like following a recipe: the correct proportion of ingredients (in this case, coffee and water) is vital. We suggest using 20 grams for every six ounces of water. If you do not have a gram scale, two heaping table spoons will get you close.
Grinding before brewing ensures the freshest coffee by releasing the flavors and aromas inside the coffee beans so they can be savored in the cup. Freshly roasted, freshly brewed coffee should never sit around, but should be enjoyed as soon as possible. If coffee sits on a burner or is reheated, it will have a scorched taste and lose the aromatic complexity of the coffee.
We recommend that you keep no more than a week’s worth of coffee in an airtight container at room temperature to protect it against the staling effects of heat, light, and moisture. Whole beans will keep up to two weeks for darker roasts and up to four weeks for the lighter or medium roasts, but they do lose freshness over time. We recommend consuming fresh roasted beans within two weeks for optimum flavor.