Quality
To ensure an excellent, full-flavored cup of coffee, start with high quality beans. There can be a world of difference between a low quality Robusta and high quality Arabica. Always buy whole bean coffee. Pre-ground is more convenient, but you miss out on a lot of flavor in oreder to save just a little time.
Roast
Coffee should be fresh roasted for optimal taste. After a bean is roasted, its chemistry immediately begins to change and it begins releasing carbon dioxide, a process called degassing. When this happens the, oils, chemical compounds, and acids that give coffee its flavor, begin to oxidize. This diminishes cup quality when the coffee is brewed. Bean freshness is highly subjective, but a general recommendation is to brew coffee that has been roasted within the last few weeks
Grind Fresh
Grinding coffee significantly speeds up degassing and oxidation process in coffee beans. In order to ensure that the beans flavor and aroma compounds are not lost prematurely, wait to grind your beans until right before you brew.
Size Matters
For an optimized brew, the particle size of coffee grounds should match the intended brew method and personal taste preference. Each brewing method has a suggested grind particle size depending on the amount of coffee-to-water contact time. A grind that is too fine for the brew method may result in coffee tasting too bitter. A coffee ground too coarse may be weak, acidic and sour. Espresso generally requires a finer grind while pour-overs and AeroPress require a medium grind, and French Presses require a coarse grind. Adjusting a grind finer or coarser affects extraction and pulls more or less out of the coffee beans accordingly.
Container
Coffee's original packaging is generally not ideal for long-term storage. Once opened, it starts to lose freshness quickly. For that reason, it's a good idea to transfer coffee to another more appropriate container as soon as possible. For best results, use an opaque glass, ceramic, or non-reactive metal container with an airtight gasket seal. This will protect beans from oxygen and bright light.
Location
To keep coffee fresh and flavorful, choose a storage location that is cool, dark, and dry, such as a pantry or cabinet. Avoid locations that get warm, or get hot from exposure to sunlight or cooking equipment. If storing coffee on a counter, an airtight, opaque container is a good option. Do not store coffee in the refrigerator or freezer, as coffee beans can absorb moisture, odors and tastes. Because most home storage containers still let in small amounts of oxygen, this is a recipe for a compromised cup of coffee.
Coffee to Water Ratio
It is best to use an accurate scale when measuring coffee amounts but a general guideline is to use 2 tablespoons per 6 oz of water. This provides an excellent total extraction level and maximizes flavor pulled out of the ground coffee. Of course, this should be adjusted to suit individual taste preferences and brew methods.
Temperature
Water temperature should be maintained between 197.6 F and 204.8 F for optimal extraction during the brewing process. Colder water may result in flat, under-extracted coffee while water that is too hot will cause grounds to be over-extracted. Either will result in an unpleasant, low-quality taste.
Filter
The importance of quality water for brewing cannot be overstated. Minerals and contaminants in water vary greatly and can affect the flavor of coffee in the cup. Use filtered water to help coffee shine to its fullest potential.
Brew Time
The amount of time that water is in contact with coffee grounds is an important factor affecting coffee taste. In a drip system, the contact time will be approximately 5 minutes. A brew method that requires a course grind, such as a French Press, will have a contact time of 6-8 minutes. Espresso on the other hand has a relatively short brew time. The coffee is in contact with water for only 20-30 seconds. If taste is not optimal, it is possible that the coffee is being over-extracted (brew time is too long) or under-extracted (brew time is too short).
Maintenance
All coffee brewing equipment and grinders require regular cleaning and maintenance. Oils and sediment from coffee are deposited with every use and typically lead to build up that can significantly affect the quality of brewed coffee. Remember to service and clean equipment to ensure a great cup of coffee.
