How to Brew a Great Cup of Coffee

Make cafe-quality coffee at home.

Coffee shops offer ambiance and a host of coffee-flavored drinks. For convenience, however, nothing beats making coffee at home. Like the coffee shop, brewing a great cup of coffee at home begins with fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients then combine with proper technique to create a consistently excellent brew.

Things You'll Need

• Coffee filter
• Tablespoon or coffee scoop
• Ground coffee
• Bottled or filtered water
• Coffee machine
• Coffee mug

Instructions

1. Moisten a paper filter with hot water and place it inside the coffee maker filter basket. Moistening the filter first removes any residue that might affect the taste of the coffee.

2. Use a tablespoon or coffee scoop to add the proper amount of freshly ground coffee into the paper filter. The National Coffee Association recommends adding 1 to 2 tbsp. of coffee for every 6 oz. of water.

3. Add the proper amount of filtered or bottled water to the coffee maker. If using tap water, allow the tap to run for a few seconds before collecting the water for use.

4. Give the machine time to brew.

5. Pour hot water from a tap or other source into the mug to warm it. Pour the hot water out, and pour the coffee into the warm mug.

Tips & Warnings

• If a coffee grinder is available, grind the coffee just before brewing for increased freshness.

• Pour the coffee within 10 minutes of the completion of the brewing process. Coffee that sits longer will no longer be fresh.

• Coffee left on a burner longer than 15 minutes will develop a burned taste.

References

• Sweet Marias: Brewing Coffee (A Framework)
• National Coffee Association: How to Brew Coffee