6 Ways to Make the Best Coffee at Home

Coffee has never been so in. You can drink it in pretty much any way your caffeinated heart desires, and Starbucks just doesn’t  always cut it anymore. Or maybe you’re ready to save some cash (you don’t want to admit how much) you usually spend on your java. Here are six tips to help you make your kitchen brew to rival SB:

• Prepare the pot. Cooking America recommends the Bunn ThermoFresh 10 Cup Thermal-Carafe Home Coffee Brewer. It’s logical to focus on the quality of the coffee going into your machine, but pay attention to both if you want that extra quality boost. If you want to stick with your current coffee maker, make sure to wash it thoroughly. Residue coffee effects the fresh taste of your new batch.
• Store strategically. The quality of your coffee is more fragile than we realize. Despite popular opinion, storing coffee in the freezer or fridge dries out your coffee. It’s best to store beans in an air-tight container (like this) somewhere out of the elements—intense exposure to light, heat, air
• Measure masterfully. Most of us hurriedly pour a small mound of coffee into the filter and assume we’re getting it right. Take the extra minute to measure the grounds out. You’ll be glad you did. According to an article from Eating Well, the rule for the perfect strength is 2 tablespoons per 6-ounce cup.
• Watch your water. The quality of the water you use impacts the flavor of your coffee. Cold, filtered water is best. If you take it from the tap, then let it get really cold before pouring into your coffee machine. The hottest temperature of your water should be 205 degrees, but most quality coffee machines regulate that.
• Go for instant gratification. The flavor of coffee is best immediately after brewing, before it cools off. If you find that you have leftover coffee, make smaller batches more often so that you always have the freshest flavor.
• Buy beans. We personally love Caribou’s delicious blends. Go for whole coffee beans, not grounds. Avoid the local grocery store aisle’s beans, because oxygen and bright light are the worst for preserving the flavor of coffee beans. Opt for a sealed bag from a brand that emphasizes freshness. The beans will be most fresh when used between five and seven days after purchase. If you need some tips for buying quality coffee, try Woman’s Day lists of the 12 best-tasting coffee beans you can buy.

Alison Schneider

Ali Schneider is the editor of Waking Up Married and a freelance writer from St. Paul, Minnesota. She considers herself a vintage-style millennial. In 2017, she graduated from the University of Northwestern—St. Paul with an English Writing degree and a minor addiction to caffeine and travel. She fits most of the authorial stereotypes and plans to reach this conventional peak one day by writing novels from a cabin in the MN Northwoods.