Making a great cup of coffee doesn’t start with brewing! Without the right beans and a good grind, you can still make a mediocre cup no matter how fantastic your coffee machine is. We’ve rounded up some tips to help you choose and grind your coffee beans like a pro, every time.
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Choosing the Right Coffee Beans to Brew
Firstly, let’s mention one key thing- the taste you love in your coffee will always be highly subjective. So there’s no wrong or right way to drink your coffee as long as you enjoy it! We encourage you to experiment with coffee beans and don’t be afraid to try something new. You might just love it! However, knowing how to select the right beans is an art, and the more you know, the better your brewing experience will be.
Find the Right Coffee Beans
Start by deciding what coffee variety you prefer. Of the two most common bean types, Arabica offers a more nuanced cup with a wider flavour range. Robusta has a stronger, more caffeinated taste with a heavy ‘mouthfeel’ some people adore. There are other, rarer coffee bean varieties on the market if you’re looking for something new to try.
Don’t forget that the bean’s origin can also impact its taste- even if they are the same species! As with finer wines, great coffees are heavily impacted by the soil and climate they’re grown in, so Arabica beans from Ethiopia won’t be identical to Arabica beans from Colombia or Africa.
This is why there’s so much variety in coffee. Not only are there ‘single origin’ coffees (which all come from the same geographic location), but you can also explore blends, offering a range of flavours and terroirs. The packaging will often give you hints on the flavour notes to expect, so read up!
Decide on Your Roast Strength
Coffee is offered at three roast levels: light, medium, and dark. Light, as you would expect, retains more of the native bean flavour profile, while darker roasts are bolder and more dramatic. If you’re new to the coffee world, start with a medium roast to see how you like the overall taste. You can fine-tune from there.
If you’re looking for something truly different, there are also ‘green’ coffees to explore. In green coffees, the beans aren’t roasted at all! While they can provide a very intriguing flavour, they also don’t quite taste like ‘real’ coffee, and they can be an acquired taste.
The Fresh Test
Last, but certainly not least, there’s the matter of freshness. Ideally, you should brew great coffee beans within a few weeks of their roasting time. So choose a vendor you can rely on to deliver top-quality freshness at all times. Whole beans, ground when you’re ready to brew the cup, will always deliver a better, fresher taste than pre-ground mixes. So it pays to invest in a bean-to-cup coffee machine or a great home grinder if you want the best possible taste.
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Storing Coffee Beans the Right Way
Don’t forget to store your favourite beans correctly, too! Invest in an opaque airtight container, as exposure to light and oxygen can cause the natural oils to go rancid and stale. Glass, ceramic, or culinary-quality stainless steel are great choices that won’t leech aroma or taste into the beans.
Keep your bean container away from light and heat for the same reason. A cool, dark cabinet is a great choice! Never freeze or refrigerate whole coffee beans. This risks them drawing in moisture and even aromas from other food items. And if you want the very best, freshest taste experience possible, buy in small quantities you can use up fast.
Grinding Coffee Beans like a Pro
With the freshest beans possible in the bag, now it’s time to grind them for a perfect cup! If you enjoy coffee, investing in a quality coffee machine with a built-in grinder can help ensure a consistent brew every time. But how you prepare the beans has a huge impact on taste. Here’s what you should know.
- Choose the Grinder: Burr grinders are the best grinder style on the market. Blade grinders offer less consistency and uneven particles, which can impact the taste.
- Grind Size: The right grind size will depend on how you’re brewing your coffee. Coarse grinds suit French presses and cold brews, medium grinds are ideal for drip coffee makers and ‘AeroPress’ styles, and fine grinds lend themselves to pour-over and espresso makers. There’s room for personal taste, too.
- Ratio: Most coffee fans like a ‘brew ratio’ of 1:15, up to 1:18. This means 1 part coffee per 15 (up to 18) parts water by weight.
With the perfect amount of beans ready to grind, start the grinder and let it run. You want an even and consistent grind. But don’t over-grind the coffee, particularly if you are using a burr grinder! Because friction and heat are part of the grinding process, running the grinder too long will impair the flavour and can make the brew bitter. Ideally, you will immediately brew your fresh-ground beans to enjoy them at their best. You can store leftovers for a short time in an airtight container but may lose some potency.
And there you have it! With the perfect beans and an ideal grind, all that’s left is to brew your perfect cup of coffee. Enjoy!
Article written by Rimgaile Vosylyte
