Storage

Once coffee is ground, flavor constituents quickly evaporate, so store your coffee as whole bean if you can, not ground. Place your storage container of coffee in a cool, dark place (out of direct sunlight) and in an airtight container (oxygen is the greatest enemy of fresh coffee). Do not store beans in your refrigerator or freezer, as condensation on the coffee may cause it to go stale and odors from other foods may be absorbed into the beans. Your coffee will taste the best if you buy enough freshly roasted coffee for a short time - a week to two. This way your coffee is always fresh and storage will not be something you need to worry about.

Grinding

The best investment you can make to improve your coffee's flavor is to get yourself a great grinder and grind your coffee just before brewing, as grinding releases flavor and aroma. We recommend a mill (burr) grinder for consistency of particle size. Finding the proper grind is vital, and is determined by the length of time your coffee is brewing. If you are brewing more quickly, making espresso for example, you would use a finer grind as it takes less energy to get the optimum flavor from the coffee. A medium brew time, like making drip coffee will taste best with a medium grind. A longer brew time, like with a french press, will require more of a coarse grind if you want to get the best balance of flavor and strength.

Filters

Use the appropriate filter for your method of brewing and for the taste and mouthfeel you are seeking in your cup. Coffee lovers use a wide variety of paper, metal and cloth filters and are making great tasting coffee using them all.

Cleanliness

You must use clean equipment, as soap and oil residue will affect the taste of your brew.

Brewing Style

We love brewing coffee using the drip method, french press, siphons, aeropress, Turkish and of course Espresso. The important thing is to choose the method that gives you the cup that you love the most or are in the mood for. Many methods are fun if done properly and can produce delicious coffee. It's up to you to choose the one that best meets your taste and lifestyle!

Water

Start with cold, filtered, spring or tap water. Remember that over 98% of your cup is the water that it is brewed with. If you water tastes bad, you coffee will taste bad. Water temperature at extraction should be about 200 degrees give or take a few degrees.

Coffee Measure

We recommend using 2 healthy tablespoons of freshly ground coffee for every 6 oz. of coffee you wish to brew, and more for espresso or Turkish. Amounts can be adjusted from there depending on personal taste.

Final Notes

Preheat the vessel you are brewing into. Once your coffee is brewed drink it fresh before the aroma and flavor begin to dissipate. Get it off the burner as this will turn the taste sour or bitter.