Coffee is the beverage that most of us drink almost every single day. However, many of us pay little attention to what makes a cup of coffee great. Are you looking to learn a little bit more about your favourite morning drink and your constant afternoon pick-me-up? If so, here are six elements that go into the process of making a good cup of coffee:

1. Cleanliness

A huge part of what makes a good cup of coffee revolves around the aroma of the coffee. If your coffee machine or equipment isn’t clean, it can leave a residual odour in the drink in your cup, which some may describe as the “dirty” smell. These residues will impact the pure flavours and aromas of the brew, reducing the overall quality of the coffee.

2.Water

It should go without saying that the quality of the water used for brewing will have an immense impact on how the final product comes out. Coffee is comprised of 99% water, so you need to make sure that you use the best quality water to ensure that the flavour of the coffee beans is encapsulated in the water. We recommend that you use water with around 50-100 ppm purity, with the pH value of around 6.5 to 7.5 to ensure a clean and pure taste. The optimal ratio between water and ground coffee is 64 ounces of water to 3.25 to 4.25 ounces of ground coffee.

3. Temperature

Many people think that the hotter the coffee, the better, but this is simply not true. The optimal temperature for brewing coffee is around 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit (90 to 96 degrees Celsius). This is the range of temperature that brings out the most flavour and richest aroma from the coffee beans without breaking down too much of the chemical composition that gives it a good texture.

4. Freshness

Roasted coffee beans have quite a long shelf life when stored properly, but the flavour will change over time. Depending on the beans and the roasting techniques, each type of coffee beans has a different optimal aging period, meaning that they will be best at a certain period of time. For example, some may be best when they are allowed to rest for around two weeks after being roasted, while others may be best after they cool down. You have to understand the type of coffee beans you’re using, as that will have a significant effect on how the coffee tastes.

5. Grind

The process of grinding the coffee beans will play a role in the textures of the finished product. Coffees with short brewing time such as espresso will require a finer ground to bring out the most flavours. Other types of coffee that require a longer rest time, such as the French press, can get away with a larger coffee ground, as the resting period will help the coffee ground to release more of its tastes and textures.

6. Service

Coffee is just as much about service as it is about the techniques of making the coffee. For example, some coffee should be served right after it’s brewed without letting it sit, as that’s when the flavours and aromas are at their strongest. If this type of coffee is let sit in the pot for too long, the aromas will dissipate, and the natural sweetness will be overwhelmed by the increasing acidity.

Now time to put this all to use! Get some of our Barista Blend Coffee Beans Today! Remember free shipping on all 1kg bags.