Making a cup of coffee sounds like one of the simplest things to do. But the truth is that to make a good coffee like a professional you need to know a few things.
Brewing good coffee is an art. That’s why there are people dedicated exclusively to tasting and making the best coffees in the world, baristas. However, you can also do it at home like a professional!
In this guide, you’ll find the step by step on how to make a good cup of espresso in a coffee machine and, even, if you do not have any. Later, we will give you some recommendations that will make your coffee taste like never before.
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How to Make a Good Cup of Coffee?
Below, you will have a quick and practical guide on how to make coffee in various machines that are used by experts and that you can use at home with these tips.
But don’t worry! If you do not have any special tools for making coffee, it does not mean that you will not be able to make a high-level coffee at home. We will also teach you how to make your coffee in the pot you use in your kitchen. Remember that, combined with the above recommendations, you will have a coffee made by an expert.
First, let’s see how to make espresso in an espresso machine. This is the purest coffee, full of flavor and body. Espresso is the basis of many coffee recipes such as americano, latte, cappuccino, Irish coffee, macchiato, among others.
Espresso in Espresso Machine
Espresso coffee, or just espresso, is a strong coffee recipe that is normally served in small amounts of 20 to 30 ml per cup. It is characterized by having strong flavors and aromas due to its concentration and brewing method. It is also full of body and cream.
To have an espresso you must take into account some important recommendations:
- The best extraction time for an espresso is 25 seconds. When you have more experience, you can vary a few seconds less or a few more to have more flavors.
- The amount of coffee you use may vary depending on the size of your espresso machine’s filter holder. However, you will normally use 8 to 10 g of ground coffee.
- You can heat the coffee cup with hot water so that at the time of pouring the coffee into the cup, it doesn’t cool down quickly.
- Check out our recommended espresso machines for the best quality espresso.
Recipe
- Add the ground coffee to your filter holder. Usually, these coffee makers tell you how much you should fill it.
- Compact the coffee in the filter holder. This step seems insignificant but will be key to having a good espresso. If you don’t have a coffee presser tool like the tamper, you can do it with a spoon. You don’t need to make a lot of pressure but the coffee should be leveled. This will avoid air gaps.
- Clean. Be sure to remove all coffee residue around the filter holder and handle.
- Extract your espresso! The last step. Put the filter holder in your espresso machine, make sure it’s in the right position and you’re done! You can enjoy a drink full of flavor, aroma, and a delicious layer of golden cream.
How to Make Coffee in Other Machines
Now that you know how to make an espresso, you’ll also learn how to make coffee with other, simpler brewing tools. However, keep in mind that a true and original espresso can only be obtained with an espresso machine. You may approach specific characteristics of espresso with other machines but it will not be the same.
Pay attention!
How to Brew Coffee in Chemex
We made this simple infographic so you can understand the process quickly.
You will need:
- 12 g of coffee, medium grinding
- 150 ml (5 fl oz) of water
- Chemex
- Put the filter in the Chemex and moisten it with warm water.
- Remove the water and add the coffee in the filter.
- Add only 25 ml (0.8 fl oz) of water and wait 40 seconds.
- Add 75 ml (2.5 fl oz) more water and wait 2 minutes.
- Add the rest of the water and wait 3:30 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
With this image for sure, you already have an idea. However, we have a whole blog with a video of how to make coffee in Chemex in which we explain in-depth the tricks for a perfect result.
How to Brew Coffee in the Italian Coffee Maker (Moka Pot)
Learn with this image to take advantage of your Italian coffee maker.
You will need:
- 5-7 g of coffee, medium grinding
- 150 ml (5 fl oz) of water
- Moka pot
- Heat the water up to the valve of the coffee maker.
- Place the filter with the coffee without pressing it.
- Screw the top part with the bottom part.
- Take it to the fire with the lid open for 2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and lower the lid.
- Wait for a minute for greater flavor, serve and enjoy!
How to Make Coffee in French Press
We tried to summarize the whole process in the following infographic. But, don’t miss our guide to recommended French presses.
You will need:
- 10 g of coffee, medium grinding
- 150 ml (5 fl oz) of water
- French press
- Add hot water to the press and remove it before adding the coffee.
- Add the coffee and 20 ml (0.6 fl oz) of water.
- Wait 30 seconds and add 55 ml (1.8 fl oz) of water, stir with a spoon.
- Wait 2 more minutes and add the rest of the water.
- Stir again and wait 1:30 minutes.
- Put the plunger in and push to the bottom, ready to serve!
How to Make Coffee in a Pot
Finally, we know that not everyone has the most specialized elements to prepare coffee, so here is the step in a pot. It couldn’t be easier.
You will need:
- 7 g of coffee, coarse grinding
- 150 ml (5 fl oz) of water
- Cooking pot, a sauce pan or a small stockpot could work
- Heat the water to boiling point.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Add the coffee stirring gently with a spoon.
- Be patient, wait 7 minutes for the coffee to settle.
- Filter the coffee with a cloth strainer or paper filter.
- Serve!
You don’t need the most modern tools to enjoy your coffee!
Tips for Making a Good Cup of Coffee
Pay attention to these 7 important tips so that the taste of your coffee is much better.
1. Choosing the coffee bean
The type of coffee you use is the most important factor when making the infusion, remember that it is the protagonist. Choosing a good coffee will make all the difference!
The first thing you should keep in mind is that it will always be better to buy coffee beans, even if you are making coffee at home. You may be wondering why, so for you to best understand, here is an example.
If you want an orange, you will know that the best way is to take it from an orange tree and eat it directly, right? On the contrary, if you want something quick, you will look for dehydrated or canned fruit that comes in syrup and with many more ingredients that you do not know and will not ensure its original taste. But, if what you want is a bite of fresh and good fruit, you will go to the tree directly.
Therefore, buying a coffee that has been very processed since it came down from the tree, might not be the best option to make a good coffee and taste all its flavor notes. The more processed it is, the fewer properties it will have.
Also, forget about the very commercial brands that you find in the aisles of all supermarkets with very low prices because they can be a mixture of very roasted coffees with not very pleasant aromas and flavors.
Depending on your tastes, you will look for a brand with the aroma, body, flavor, and origin that you prefer. If you do not know much about brands or how to choose which coffee you should buy, here you have a guide to the best coffees in Colombia and also, the best coffees in the world.
2. Buy fresh coffee
Whether you want to use beans or ground coffee, because you are looking for something more practical, look for a coffee that has not been roasted long before. The fresher the better! So forget about buying a lot and storing it for several months, because it will lose its properties.
If you decided to buy coffee beans, it is better to grind only the amount that you are going to use that day. That way it will be fresher and you will constantly enjoy the aromas that come off as you grind it.
3. Pay attention to the degree of grinding
This only applies if you decide to grind it. Now, there are two important things. The first is to decide if you want an electric or manual grinder. The first will be faster and easier, but the second will be much better because of the experience you have since you control the grinder to your liking. However, an electric grinder will always be much better than using already ground coffee.
The second thing you need to take into account is how thick or thin you need the coffee; this will depend on the brewing method you use. Do not worry, later you will understand what we’re saying.
The degree of grinding can be graduated both in the electric and in the manual grinder. In general, you should know that the longer the coffee is in contact with water, the grind should be thicker. That means, for filtering methods, you’ll use a coarser grind, and for automatic coffee makers (which is a faster brew) you’ll use a finer grind.
4. Choose well the type of coffee maker
If you want an espresso, you should choose a special coffee maker to make that type of coffee. These espresso machines operate at high pressure due to the high water temperatures, which allows a loaded and fast cup of coffee.
But if you prefer an American coffee that is larger and softer, you should choose a filter machine such as the Italian coffee maker, Chemex, French press, or one using the filter. Its extraction is slower and therefore smoother.
5. Choosing which water you use
It may seem like something not very important, but not using proper water will cause the taste of your coffee to vary, even if you have followed all the steps above. We normally use tap water to make coffee at home, but we recommend using mineral water so that the taste is free of any odor or foreign particles that may be present in the tap water.
6. Take care of your coffee maker
Whether you are using an espresso machine, an Italian or Chemex coffee maker, the French press, or any other method, make sure you follow the basic care and cleaning so that it will not affect the taste of your coffee.
You must constantly clean all coffee makers that have rubbers or sealing gums to prevent coffee residues from being stored, which, over time, will damage the taste of the coffee you make.
It is important to follow the factory maintenance and cleaning recommendations of each coffee maker. This ensures a longer duration and an unaffected taste. Tip: Wash everything with hot water to make sure there is no residue from previous preparations.
7. Preserve coffee
Perhaps you have heard that when the refrigerator smells bad, you need to put a cup of coffee so that it absorbs the bad smell. It is precisely a good trick because coffee has the property of easily absorbing odors around it. So it is important to take care of where and with which other elements that may influence its taste you are going to keep it.
Whether you have opted for beans or ground coffee, you should make sure to store it in a sealed container, in a cool place that is not exposed to direct light. Remember not to buy too much so that it does not last long stored and its taste and aroma are not lost over time.
More tips in our guide to preserving coffee.
I hope that with this guide you can have a better experience around coffee.
Remember to have an open mind to enjoy new flavors, aromas, and notes that before you couldn’t perceive in your daily coffee. Each cup will be full of new things to savor and fall in love with.
Your personal taste and these recommendations will lead you to achieve the perfect cup of coffee.
