5 Ways to Brew Better Coffee at Home

Good coffee doesn’t have to be complicated.

You don’t need a fancy setup, a barista apron, or a kitchen that looks like a coffee lab.  I mean, if you have those things, AWESOME.  You’re my people, but it’s certainly not necessary.  You’re just cooler than everyone else.  In reality, brewing a better cup at home comes down to a few small things that make a big difference.

Here are 5 easy ways to make your morning coffee even better.

1. Start with fresh, quality beans

Sounds obvious, right? And of course your coffee roaster is going to tell you to have fresh roasted quality beans on hand. But, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s true.  The better the beans, the better the cup.

Coffee loses it’s freshness over time (especially after you grind it), so if that crumpled bag in the back of your cabinet has been sitting there since who-knows-when, it might be time for a hard reset.  In case you don’t know….we have a coffee subscription that would solve this problem forever.  Just sayin’.

2. Use the right grind size

Different brewing methods need different grind sizes.  

Picture a jar of sand and a jar of gravel.  If you were pouring water over the top (and there was a hole in the bottom for some reason) the water would pass slowly through sand and really fast through the gravel.  

Apply that principle to your coffee. If your coffee grinds look big and chunky, your coffee is likely going to taste weak because the water is passing through too quickly.  It doesn’t have time to extract all that delicious goodness from the coffee grinds.  If it’s too fine, the water can pool up on top and pass through very slowly causing overextraction, i.e. bitterness (and possibly a flooded brewer). 

A French press usually does better with a coarse grind. A drip coffee maker likes something medium. Espresso needs a super fine grind.

FYI, if you’re shopping for a grinder, choose a burr grinder over a blade grinder.  A burr grinder will give you a much more consistent particle size which leads to better extraction.  

At the end of the day, don’t be intimidated, it’s a fun variable to play with.  You’d be surprised how much small adjustment can completely change the cup.

3. Measure your coffee and water

We know, we know. Eyeballing it feels easier.

But if your coffee tastes amazing one day and a little sad the next, inconsistent measurements may be the reason.

A good starting point is about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. From there, adjust based on how strong you like it. 

If you like thinking in terms of ratio’s, SCA gold cup standard is somewhere between a 16-1 and 19-1 water to coffee ratio.  To use this method simply weigh your water and then divide it by 16 or 19 or anything in between.  That will give the corresponding weight of the coffee you should use.  Example:  Let’s say your brewer holds 900g or water.  Divide that by 17 and you’ll get 53g.  There’s your coffee dose.  Boom.  You’re a coffee genius.  All that being said, make sure you’ve followed step 2 or you could still get some wacky results.   

4. Use clean, good-tasting water

Your body is mostly water.  The world is mostly water.  Coffee is also mostly water.  My point is, your water matters.

If your tap water tastes off, your coffee will too. Try using filtered water and see if you notice a difference. It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make without changing your whole routine.

5. Store your coffee the right way

Keep your coffee in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and moisture. There are zillions of options. Don’t overthink it. 

Contrary to popular belief, the freezer is not always your best friend, and the sunny spot next to the stove is definitely not doing your beans any favors.  Remember, coffee is a sponge.  It soaks up whatever is around it.  Meaning, don’t put it next to a potpourri bowl or a Glade air freshener unless you really like those flavors added to your morning cup. 

A cool, dark pantry is usually the sweet spot.

Better coffee starts with better beans

The good news? Brewing better coffee at home doesn’t have to be fussy.

A fresher bag, the right grind, clean water, and a little consistency can turn your everyday cup into something you actually look forward to.

And when you’re ready to make sure you never run out of the good stuff, Muletown Coffee delivery is here to keep your mornings stocked, simple, and delicious.