Brewing a Better Cup of Coffee

Coffee is a staple in my life and it might be in yours as well. So, it is probably worth spending some time to learn how to brew a cup of it better.

It seems like the younger generations just know so much more about coffee. They instinctively know how to make great coffee and how to order it. I am a bit envious of this ability or talent they have for the art. Learning how to brew a better cup of coffee isn’t easy when you consider all the varieties of beans, grinders, and machines. However, there are some easy things I have learned that I want to share.

I didn’t know that just a little sprinkling of water in the bean grinder, not only will control the static electricity that is produced. But can increase the flavor of the coffee. I would have never thought it would increase the flavor. However, you can’t use too much water just a misting. Too much and you just get a bit of mush like one of the gritty face masks. They are useable beans for brewing coffee, but not very tasty or rich in the end. (We are all a bit groggy in the morning at times, so if you mess it up with too much water). You can always add the grounds to your plants or compost pile. Just grind down to a finer, mushy consistency).

From the experts

I got the knowledge of water mist to bring out more flavor from arstechnica. Their article, Study: Why a spritz of water before grinding coffee yields less waste, tastier espresso by Jennifer Ouellette was extremely interesting and you may want to add it to your reading list if that interests you. Yes, the study was on espresso not your home brew pot, but I would think most of the information was relevant to both.

Grinders and static electricity

I know it isn’t convenient to bring a mister with you to the grocery store if that is where you grind your beans. However, if you have ground your beans there you would know that there is static electricity with those bad boys as well. You can’t avoid it. I would have never thought that adding misting or droplets of water to your bean grinder would help you brew a better cup of coffee. Less waste, yes. All of those static-charged ground beans are staying where they should be, not in the air.

Flavor

Did you think it would bring out the flavor? The Study indicated it was true and where I didn’t find it to be a game changer, I did notice it slightly. If you drink your coffee black then it would be a possible game changer for you.

According to Michael Phillips, global director of education and engagement at Blue Bottle Coffee, You need to find your ‘sweet spot’ for settings on your grinder for grinding those beans. “A range of variables, from the brew method to the brewing technique, and the age of the coffee, all can impact what grind setting will produce the best cup.”

I am not saying you need to go out and get a new grinder so it can have multiple settings or anything new for that matter. If you have a grinder at home that works then use it. I have had to experiment with how much or how little I grind different types of beans. Just to try this theory out and Yes, I eyeball it.

The good news is, that it has worked. I have brewed some better cups of coffee recently.

Update on brewing a better cup of coffee

I have recently tried a new trick of putting my coffee beans in the refrigerator. Then grind the beans while they are cold to lock in the flavor. I have even put them in the freezer for this as well. I believe it has tasted better, and more flavorful. Try it and see if you like that as well if you grind your beans.

Whole or already ground coffee

I know not everyone wants to spend the time to grind their coffee beans. Let alone go pick them out. Of course, that is after you spend time looking up different types of coffee beans to see what would be the best for your taste buds. It does take a lot of trial and error. Eventually, you just grab the Starbucks blonde and go on your way. But there is another way to take some guesswork out of it.

At times, I just go to Bones Coffee. What until you see all of the combinations they have and the descriptions? They have some of the best packaging graphics I have ever seen. They have ground and whole bean coffee to choose from and they know coffee. If you are more of a purist when it comes to coffee then you may want to pass on Bones. Their varieties may not be to your liking, ie Frankenbones (Chocolate hazelnut) Army of Dark Chocolate (Dark Roast and Dark Chocolate), or Salty Siren (Sea Salted Caramel Mocha). They do have something for everyone’s tastes.

I also enjoy my Nespresso. The codes on the pods tell the machine how to brew the best cup of coffee for the beans inside. They have also taken the guesswork out of it for you. I will go into a deep dive on the Nespresso in a later post, including a small simple repair for when it gets too noisy and cleaning of your appliance.

No matter how you choose to brew a better cup of coffee, I simply hope you enjoy it. And enjoy your emerging kaleidoscope of your world.