How To Make Coffee – 25 Tips To Making The Perfect Cup Of Coffee At Home

I am a self confessed coffee addict, I love the stuff, but it wasn’t always this way. Just a few years ago I would head to my local Starbucks every morning and order a Venti caramel machiato with an extra shot. 

Now I have my own personal coffee machine at home and make almost all my coffee at home. It’s not only cheaper this way, but you can also control the quality of your coffee a lot more.

Making great coffee is an art and a science. There are many ways to make a good cup of coffee, but there are even more ways to make a bad one. 

To save you from making some of the most common mistakes, I’ve put together this list of 25 tips for making the perfect cup of coffee at home.

How To Make Coffee Tip #1- Use Freshly Ground Beans

If you want the best possible cup of coffee, then you need to use fresh beans. Once coffee is ground, it starts to lose its flavor very quickly. So, if you can, grind your own beans just before making coffee. A good quality coffee grinder will make all the difference.

How To Make Coffee Tip #2 – Store Your Beans Properly

To get the most out of your beans, you need to store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Coffee beans are like nuts – they go rancid quickly when exposed to light or heat.

How To Make Coffee Tip #3 – Use Filtered Water

Coffee is 99% water, so it stands to reason that the quality of the water you use will have a big impact on the quality of your coffee. If your tap water doesn’t taste great, then your coffee probably won’t either. Use filtered or bottled water for the best results.

How To Make Coffee Tip #4 – Don’t Use Too Much Water

If you use too much water, your coffee will be weak and watery. The general rule is to use about 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per cup (8 ounces) of water.

How To Make Coffee Tip #5 – Don’t Use Too Little Water

If you don’t use enough water, your coffee will be strong and bitter. Again, the general rule is to use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per cup (8 ounces) of water. But, if you like your coffee on the weaker side, you can start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste.

How To Make Coffee Tip #6 – Bring The Water To a Boil, Then Let it Cool For 30 Seconds

This may seem like a strange step, but trust me – it makes a big difference. Boiling water brings out the coffee’s bitterness, so by letting it cool for 30 seconds before you brew, you’ll end up with a smoother cup of coffee.

How To Make Coffee Tip #7 – Use a French Press

If you want the best possible cup of coffee, then you need to use a French press. This brewing method extracts more flavor from the beans than any other method. Just make sure you use a coarser grind of coffee than you would for other methods.

How To Make Coffee Tip #8 – Preheat Your French Press

To get the most out of your French press, preheat it with hot water before you add your coffee. This will help to extract more flavour from the beans.

How To Make Coffee Tip #9 – Don’t Over-Stir Your French Press

Stirring helps to evenly distribute the grounds in the water and allows for a more uniform extraction. But, if you overdo it, you’ll end up with a muddy cup of coffee. Just give it a gentle stir – about 10 times – before pressing the plunger down.

How To Make Coffee Tip #10 – Use a Paper Filter

If you don’t have a French press, then you can use a coffee maker with a paper filter. This brewing method is quick and easy, and it produces a cup of coffee that is clear and free of sediment.

How To Make Coffee Tip #11- Preheat Your Coffee Maker

Just like with a French press, preheating your coffee maker will help to extract more flavour from the beans. Place the empty carafe on the warming plate for a few minutes before brewing.

How To Make Coffee Tip #12 – Don’t Over-Stir Your Coffee Maker

Stirring helps to evenly distribute the grounds in the water and allows for a more uniform extraction. But, if you overdo it, you’ll end up with a muddy cup of coffee. Just give it a gentle stir – about 10 times – before brewing.

How To Make Coffee Tip #13 – Use a Reusable Filter

If you want to save money and reduce waste, then use a reusable filter instead of a paper filter. These filters are designed to fit most coffee makers, and they’ll last for years. Just make sure to clean them after each use.

How To Make Coffee Tip #14 – Pre-Wet Your Filter

If you’re using a reusable filter, pre-wetting it with hot water will help to extract more flavor from the beans. Just place the filter in the carafe and pour hot water over it before brewing.

How To Make Coffee Tip #15 – Choose a High Quality Coffee Bean

When it comes to coffee, quality beans are the key to a great cup of joe. But with so many different types and brands of coffee beans on the market, how do you choose the right ones? 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting coffee beans:

• Origin: Coffee beans come from all over the world, so pay attention to where your beans are sourced. Some regions are known for producing higher quality beans than others. For example, Arabica beans from Central and South America are generally considered to be some of the best in the world.
•  Roast Level: The roast level can also affect flavor. Lighter roasts tend to be more delicate and complex, while darker roasts are often richer and more robust. Experiment with different roast levels to find the one that suits your taste preferences.
• Grinding: Make sure to grind your beans fresh before brewing. Pre-ground coffee can quickly become stale and lose its flavor. If you don’t have a grinder at home, most coffee shops will be happy to grind the beans for you.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can be sure to choose coffee beans that will make a great cup of coffee every time.

How To Make Coffee Tip #16 – Use Freshly Ground Beans

Coffee tastes best when it’s made with freshly ground beans. If you can’t grind your own beans, then look for a coffee that is pre-ground for French press or drip coffee makers.

While you can use any type of beans to make coffee, there are certain types that are better suited for specific brewing methods. For example, Arabica beans are generally used for drip coffee, while Robusta beans are usually used for espresso.

When it comes to grinding your own beans, the fresher the better. 

Coffee begins to lose its flavor soon after it’s been ground, so if you can grind your beans right before brewing, you’ll get the best tasting cup of coffee possible. 

If you can’t grind your own beans, look for a coffee that is pre-ground for French press or drip coffee makers.

How To Make Coffee Tip #17 – Use The Right Grind Size

The grind size of your coffee will have a big impact on the quality of your cup. If you’re using a French press, then you’ll want to use a coarser grind. 

For drip coffee makers, use a medium grind. 

And, for espresso machines, use a fine grind. This will ensure that your coffee is extracted properly and tastes great.

So, be sure to grind your coffee beans correctly, based on the type of coffee maker you’re using. Otherwise, you might not be able to enjoy the best cup of coffee possible.

How To Make Coffee Tip #18 – Don’t Over-Grind Your Beans

If you over-grind your beans, they will be too fine and will clog up your filter. This will lead to a weak and watery cup of coffee. So, only grind as much as you need – and no more! By doing this, you’ll get the perfect cup of joe every time. Enjoy!

How To Make Coffee Tip #19 – Store Your Beans In An Airtight Container

There is nothing quite like a hot cup of coffee in the morning. But, in order to enjoy that perfect cup of coffee, you need to start with fresh beans. 

Coffee beans go stale quickly when they’re exposed to air. So, make sure to store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. And, only grind the beans as you need them. 

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy fresh, delicious coffee every time.

How To Make Coffee Tip #20 – Use Filtered Water

The quality of your water will have a big impact on the quality of your coffee. So, make sure to use filtered water – or spring water, if you can get it. This will help to ensure a smooth cup of coffee.

How To Make Coffee Tip #21 – Bring Your Water To a Boil

If you’re looking to get the most flavor out of your coffee beans, boiling the water before you brew is a great way to do it. Just make sure to let the water cool for 30 seconds before pouring it over the grounds. This will help ensure that all of the flavor is extracted from the beans.

How To Make Coffee Tip #22 – Use The Right Ratio of Coffee To Water

Getting the coffee to water ratio is so important if you want to make a great cup of coffee. The general rule is two tablespoons of coffee for every six ounces of water. 

This will result in the perfect cup of coffee, not too weak and not too strong. 

Of course, you can adjust the ratio depending on your personal preference. If you like your coffee a little weaker, add a little less coffee. If you like it stronger, add a little more. 

Just remember, the key is to find that perfect balance between coffee and water!

How To Make Coffee Tip #23 – Don’t Over-Extract Your Coffee

If you extract your coffee for too long, it will become bitter and unpleasant to drink. So, make sure to brew for the recommended time – typically four minutes for drip coffee makers and two minutes for French press. 

This will ensure that your coffee is flavorful and enjoyable to drink.

Brewing coffee is an art, and as with any art, there is a certain amount of technique involved. 

By following the recommendations above, you can be sure that your coffee will taste great every time. Experiment with different brewing times and techniques to find what works best for you. 

And most importantly, enjoy your cup of coffee!

How To Make Coffee Tip #24 – Not To Hot!

Hot coffee can burn your tongue and throat. So, let it cool for a few minutes before taking a sip. 

This will also allow the flavours to develop and give you a better overall taste. 

By waiting a few minutes, you can enjoy your coffee without burning yourself or missing out on the full range of flavors.

How To Make Coffee Tip #25 – Enjoy!

If you can’t drink your coffee right away, don’t worry – you can still enjoy a delicious cup of joe by storing it in a thermos. Just make sure to drink it within two hours of brewing for the best taste. 

By keeping your coffee hot in a thermos, you can enjoy it throughout the day without losing any of the flavor. So next time you brew a pot, be sure to save some for later!

My Thermos of choice is  the Thermos 16-Ounce Stainless Steel King Vacuum Insulated Beverage Bottle. This bottle will keep your coffee hot for hours, so you can enjoy it even if you can’t drink it right away. 

Plus, it’s durable and easy to clean – perfect for busy mornings.

Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to making the perfect cup of coffee at home!

How To Make Coffee Summary

Well, there you have it – our top tips for making great coffee. 

We hope that you’ll give some of these methods a try and see how your coffee game improves. 

And if you have any additional tips or tricks up your sleeve, be sure to share them in the comments below! We can always use more ideas when it comes to brewing the perfect cup of joe. 

In the meantime, happy caffeinating!