Brewing guide for beginners and enthusiasts

Coffee is not just a drink, it is a community, an art form, and a science. For many, the journey begins by leaving the bitter taste of capsule coffee and instant coffee behind to explore worlds of freshly ground beans and manual brewing methods such as Chemex, V60, and Aeropress. But like with most passions, the coffee world can quickly feel overwhelming with technical terms and equipment. This guide will help you simplify the process and rediscover the joy in your coffee brewing.

The Journey from Beginner to Enthusiast

Most coffee lovers start their journey with simple brewing methods. Switching to locally roasted beans and using a high-quality grinder is the first step towards better coffee. But the more you dig into the coffee world, the more complex it can feel:

• Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS): The temptation to buy all kinds of equipment from expensive coffee grinders to advanced brewers.
• Diving into the technique: Suddenly, everything is about About grind size particle size, water chemistry, and filter extraction efficiency.

It's easy to get lost in the details and forget why you started – to enjoy a good cup of coffee. But it doesn't have to be that complicated. Let's break it down.

Find Your Base Recipe

One of the best ways to simplify coffee brewing is to start with a base recipe. Here is an example:

• Ratio: 1:17 (1 gram of coffee to 17 grams of water) is a good starting point. For decaf or older coffee, you can adjust to 1:15.
• Grind Size: Start with a coarseness similar to granulated sugar and adjust depending on the results.
• Water Temperature: 90–95 °C is optimal for most coffee beans. For dark roast or decaf, you can go down to 85 °C.
• Blooming: Pour 3x the weight of the coffee in water and let it bloom for 30–45 seconds to release carbon dioxide and saturate the coffee grounds.

This recipe serves as a base. From this, you can make small adjustments to improve the flavor over time.

Key Variables to Understand

Grind Size

• Coarser Grind: Longer contact time and less risk of bitterness. Perfect for pour-over like V60.
• Finer Grind: Shorter contact time but risk of over-extraction. Used for espresso.

Water and Brewing Ratio

• 1:15: Stronger and fuller.
• 1:17: Lighter and more delicate.
• Customize according to preference and coffee bean.

1:15 refers to the ratio between ground coffee and water, meaning for every gram of coffee, 15 grams of water should be added.

Water Temperature

• Higher temperatures (up to 95 °C) extract faster but can emphasize bitterness.
• Lower temperatures (85–90 °C) yield a milder and sweeter cup.

Agitation (manual movement)

• Too much agitation can create unwanted bitterness by releasing small particles (fines).
• A gentle circular motion with a spoon or a simple shake of the brewer can suffice to even out the coffee bed.

Reduce Complexity: Focus on the Major Variables

The coffee world can feel complicated with discussions about About water chemistry, advanced grinders and specialty filters. But to enjoy good coffee, you don't need all that. Focus on the fundamental factors:

• Water: Use filtered water to eliminate impurities that can affect the taste.
• Beans: Freshly roasted coffee beans always yield better results.
• Equipment: A simple manual brewer and a grinder with even Grind will go a long way.

Simplify and Customize Your Process

The goal is not to brew the “perfect” cup every time, but to find a process that suits your taste and your daily life. Start with a basic recipe, understand the major variables, and adjust slowly:

1. Start with grind size and water ratio.
2. Adjust the temperature in increments of About 3–5 °C.
3. Play with bloom time and pouring technique to find your balance.

Remember: A cup of coffee that is 80% as good as its maximum potential can still be a fantastic cup!

Final Words: Coffee Joy Over Perfection

Coffee is fun and a journey without end. It’s okay not to know everything. It’s okay not to have the latest equipment. And it’s okay to just enjoy a cup of coffee without analyzing it.

So next time you brew, put on a good song, relax, and enjoy the process. And remember: The best cup of coffee is the one that makes you happy.