Brewing and Storage
As with roasts and blends, there's no one "best" way to brew. On the other
hand, there are a few simple guidelines which hold true for all brewing methods
other than espresso.
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Use freshly-roasted beans ground just before brewing.
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Use the correct grind for your brewer. Too fine a grind causes bitter brew,
while too coarse causes watery coffee.
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Start with one standard coffee measure (1 tablespoons) of grounds for each 6
ounces of water; adjust this amount to taste with experience.
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Use fresh water free from off taints and odors. Filtered or bottled water may
be needed in some areas, but avoid distilled or softened water.
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Bring the water to just below boiling. For drip brewers, the brew cycle should
be completed in 4-6 minutes. Other good methods are the French Press and Vacuum
pot, which brew in about 4 minutes. Avoid percolators and electrics with brew
cycles longer than 6 minutes as these over-extract the coffee and cause
bitterness.
Coffee Storage
All coffee is highly perishable. This is especially true of ground coffee,
since so much more surface area is exposed to flavor-robbing air.
It's best to buy your coffee fresh each week from a knowledgeable retailer.
When this isn't feasible, buy the smallest practical quantities you can store
in an airtight, moisture-proof container in your refrigerator or freezer. Whole
beans keep far longer than ground, so purchase of a good home grinder is highly
recommended.
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