Coffee Guide: From purchasing to brewing, all-round practical recommendations

Coffee Selection

Choosing coffee beans that suit your taste is the first step to brewing a delicious cup of coffee. When choosing coffee beans, you can consider the following factors:

1. Origin of coffee beans: Coffee beans from different origins have unique flavor characteristics. For example, coffee produced in Brazil usually has nutty and chocolate aromas, while coffee produced in Kenya has a distinct and rich fruity aroma.

2. Coffee bean types: The two main types are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are generally of higher quality and have a more complex and rich taste, while Robusta is stronger and more bitter.

3. Roasting degree: Different roasting degrees will affect the flavor of coffee. Light roasting will retain more original flavor, but with higher acidity; medium roasting will balance the sour, sweet, bitter and astringent taste; dark roasting will bring a strong bitter taste.

4. Date Mark: Try to choose freshly roasted coffee beans, which can be judged by the date mark on the package. Freshly roasted coffee beans usually have a better flavor.

Coffee Grinding

In order to maintain the best flavor of coffee beans, it is recommended to grind them into the coarseness required for the brewing method before brewing. The following are several common coffee brewing methods and the corresponding grinding degree:

1. Drip filter: medium fineness, similar to sand.

2. French Press: Coarser particles, similar to the size of sea salt particles.

3. Espresso: Very fine, similar to flour.

4. Pour-over kettle (V60, timer, etc.): medium to fine powder, between drip and Italian style.

Coffee Brewing

Different brewing methods will bring different coffee tastes and flavors. Here are some common coffee brewing methods:

1. Drip filter: Put the ground coffee powder into the filter paper, pour in an appropriate amount of boiling water, and let the water slowly penetrate the filter paper to get a light and balanced coffee.

2. French press: Put the ground coffee powder into the pot, pour in an appropriate amount of boiling water and stir gently with a stirring stick. After waiting for a while, press the filter to get rich and mellow coffee.

3. Espresso: Made using a professional espresso machine or manually operated equipment. High-pressure steam is extracted through compact and fine coffee powder to produce a strong and rich espresso.

4. Hand brewing pot (V60, freezer, etc.): Pour a small amount of boiling water on top of the filter paper and ground coffee powder for pre-wetting, then slowly pour in the remaining boiling water to allow the coffee to be evenly soaked and extracted to obtain a fresh and distinct taste.

Coffee Ingredients

In addition to choosing the right coffee beans and brewing methods, adding some special ingredients can also add different flavors to coffee. Here are some common coffee ingredients:

1. Milk: Adding appropriate amount of milk can make the coffee taste richer and smoother.

2. Sugar: You can choose to add white sugar, brown sugar or other natural sweeteners according to your personal taste.

3. Vanilla syrup: Provides sweet vanilla flavor.

4. Chocolate sauce: adds chocolate flavor.

Tips

- Storage: Keep unused coffee beans in a dry, cool place and avoid exposure to sunlight. It is best to use them within two weeks after opening to maintain the best flavor.

- Water quality selection: High-quality water is essential for brewing delicious coffee. Try to use filtered water or mineral water.

- Temperature control: The appropriate temperature for different brewing methods is different. Pay attention to controlling the water temperature to avoid overheating or overcooling that affects the taste.

- Practice and Adjustment: Everyone has different taste preferences for coffee. Through practice and adjustment, you can find the brewing method and ingredient ratio that best suits your taste.