Looking for some ideas to help you brew that perfect cup of morning coffee? Did you know that everything from the temperature to the weight of your water can make the difference between average and a great cup of coffee.

We’ve got 5 advanced tips to help you brew that perfect cup of coffee, and a few extra goodies to make sure every cup tastes great.

 

  1. Measure your water temperature precisely – While boiling water is alway a no-no, the precise brewing temperature you’ll want to use needs to be measured. 93C is a common recommendation, but even a couple of degrees can change the taste of the coffee because of the different rates at which compounds like acids are extracted at different temperatures. Consider investing in a thermometer to help with consistency.

 

Hario V60 Drip Therometer                                Cape Coffee Beans Digital Thermometer

                                                           

2. Weigh your water as well as your coffee – Consistently delicious coffee requires consistent brewing ratios (the ratio of coffee to water). While a measuring cup or kettle can give you a ballpark idea of how much water you’re using, it’s not very precise. Put your coffee maker on top of a zero’ed kitchen scale to know exactly how much water you’re pouring. 1g = 1ml of water!

 

Hario V60 Drip Scale And Timer                                          Brewista Smart Coffee Scale

                                                                           

 

3. Upgrade your brewing gear – Once you’ve invested in a good grinder, there are a lot of great coffee making options to consider

Aerobie Aeropress         Cape Coffee Beans Pourer Bundle      Hario V60 Bundle

                                           

 

4. Use filtered water – Coffee extracts best with specific levels of mineral content (TDS – total dissolved solids). The TDS of water will vary greatly around the country, so using bottled/filtered water may be a good idea. It’s especially useful to use the same type of water each time to help with consistency. Try brewing the same coffee with two different brands of bottled water – you’ll be surprised how different it can be.

 

 

5. Experiment with your brewing variables! – Coffee is chemistry. There are quite a few variables that have a big impact on your coffee’s flavour including brewing ratio, temperature & extraction time as mentioned in the points above. Once you’re measuring these variables, you can have a lot of fun by adjusting them and seeing the impact on the cup of coffee you’re drinking. You’ll be surprised what a big difference it can make, and you may just “dial in” that perfect brew.