Brewing Tips
Start with fresh clean water. I cannot stress this enough. Either filtered tap water or bottled spring water is the way to go. Do not use distilled water because you want some minerals in the water. Minerals help the taste of your coffee.
Use the proper grind for your brewing method. Though each brewing method uses different grinds you should always use the finest grind possible for your particular method. Finer grinds produce more flavorful coffee. Measure 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6-7 ounces of water.
Always grind your coffee immediately before brewing. Ground coffee stales quickly and the longer you wait the worse your cup will taste.
Brew at the proper water temperature of 195-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Only brew enough coffee to drink in 15 minutes or so. The longer it sits in the pot, the more the flavor deteriorates. KEEP THINGS CLEAN. Always wash your coffee brewer after each use. Built up coffee film will turn your brew sour.
Cupping at Home
Cupping different coffees at home is fun and easy. It is a great way to taste the difference between different coffees and to figure out which ones are your favorites. Don't worry about all the fancy terms just realize where in your mouth you experience the flavor The easiest way to cup at home is by brewing 2 different coffees in 2 small French presses and comparing them. Use the same amount of coffee and water in both pots. After the coffee has cooled a bit slurp it up, kind of like when you slurp a hot soup. The more noise you make the better. Swish it around your mouth and chew it. Savor it. Notice the different flavors and where you experience them. This is a great way to learn the difference between Yirgacheffe and Harrar. Both come from the same country but taste remarkably different. For more on cupping check out the book Coffee by Ken Davids or the website Coffee Cuppers.com. Above all remember to have fun and try as many coffees as you can.
