How to Make Good Coffee Using Beans

Make a good cup of coffee using fresh beans.

Make good coffee using beans at home. Choosing the right coffee beans, grinding them to the appropriate texture and the using good quality water all greatly affect the taste of coffee. In order to make coffee that suits your taste, you will need to experiment with the brand of coffee beans and the way the beans are ground. Stale coffee beans often require a mask of sugar or cream to cover the bad taste. You can enjoy fresh coffee without any additives by taking the time to brew the coffee correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh coffee beans
• Coffee grinder
• Airtight container
• Filtered water

Instructions

1. Use fresh coffee beans. Coffee beans really only stay fresh for three to four days. If the beans appear dry or exposed to the air too long, then they more than likely are stale. Buy coffee beans that come in airtight bags, and use coffee beans within a few days.

2. Crush the coffee beans into grounds. In order to make coffee, the beans need to be ground finely. Use a coffee grinder, place them in a blender or use a mortar and pestle to grind the beans. You will need 1/4 cup of coffee beans for a 10-cup coffee maker, or 3 tbsps. for a 12-oz. cup.

3. Use a grind that complements the coffee and the brewer. A course grind will work great for French Presses and percolators, a medium grind suits drip-type brewers and a fine grind works well for espresso. Coffee grinders often allow you to adjust the coarseness of the grind.

4. Store any leftover coffee grounds in an airtight container. Leave them in a dry and dark environment.

5. Follow the manual that came with your coffee brewer. Most coffee makers control the time and temperature, but if you use a French press, you need to monitor the brew time to between three to five minutes.

6. Use filtered water when making the coffee. Since coffee is mainly water, it can greatly affect the taste.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a single cup of coffee to enjoy the fresh quality. Fill your coffee mug with filtered water. Place the water into a small saucepan or teakettle over high heat. Remove the water once it boils. Allow it to cool for three to four minutes. Place a single cup coffee drip over the top of the coffee mug. Sit a single cup coffee filter into the drip. Place 3 tbsps. of coffee grounds into the filter. Pour the boiling water over the grounds slowly, and then discard the coffee filter.

References

• Coffee Detective: How to Make Coffee
• Cockeyed: Easy, Illustrated Instructions on How to Make Coffee
• Dancing Dogs Coffee: Coffee & Bean Care