Brewing guide for beginners and enthusiasts

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

• Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS): The temptation to buy all sorts of equipment from expensive coffee grinders to advanced brewers.
• Deep dive into technology: Suddenly everything is about About the particle size of the grinding degree, water chemistry and the extraction efficiency of the filters.

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 basic recipe

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

• Ratio: 1:17 (1 gram of coffee to 17 grams of water) is a good starting point. For decaf or older coffees, you can adjust to 1:15.
• Grinding degree: Start with a coarseness similar to granulated sugar and adjust depending on 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 coffee into water and let it bloom for 30–45 seconds to release carbon dioxide and saturate the coffee bed.

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

Key variables to understand

Grinding degree

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

Water and Brewing Ratio

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

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

Water temperature

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

Agitation (manual movement)

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

Reduce Complexity: Focus on the Big Variables

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

• Water: Use filtered water to eliminate impurities that can affect the taste.
• Beans: Freshly roasted coffee beans always give better results.
• Equipment: A simple manual brewer and a grinder with even Grind goes 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 everyday life. Start with a basic recipe, understand the big variables, and adjust slowly:

1. Start with the grind size and water ratio.
2. Adjust the temperature in steps About 3–5°C.
3. Play with blooming 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 great cup!

Final words: Coffee pleasure over perfection

Coffee is fun and a never-ending journey. 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.