What you should pay attention to when preparing coffee
Anyone can make coffee! Or maybe not? Of course, good coffee is based on the individual taste of the connoisseur. Nevertheless, there are a few basics to make coffee enjoyment very special, depending on the preparation method, and to elicit the full aroma from coffee beans. Today we are going to introduce you to the basics of a good coffee as the basis for optimal coffee enjoyment.
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Table of Contents
Ground coffee: can it be an extra teaspoon?
The right ratio between ground coffee and water is the basis for a successful coffee. But while most of the information is based on “spoons per cup”, this requirement can be confusing: is it a teaspoon or a measuring spoon? And how does the spoon information change with regard to the grinding degree? In both cases, the shape of the spoon can also make differences, as a teaspoon can hold between 14 and 18 grams of coffee powder, depending on the degree of grinding and the design of the dishes.
The optimal instructions for making coffee should be in grams and milliliters. At the same time, information on the degree of grinding for the respective preparation method should be taken into account. A coffee scale can help with this at the beginning, while experienced coffee connoisseurs can also fall back on experience when making coffee. The background for the optimized determination of the quantity is the fact that the weight of coffee can vary depending on the density of the beans.
Basics for making coffee
Coffee can be easily brewed with a classic filter coffee machine. For some models from different manufacturers, variable displays and coffee spoon dimensions are indicated.
Tip: To try out a new coffee machine, use 30 g of ground coffee in 500 ml of water.
For example, 30 g of ground coffee in a medium setting are poured over 500 ml of hot water (ideally 94 ° C). This ratio is also recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe. The best result is achieved when the water is poured over the ground coffee in batches: the first batch moistens the ground coffee to loosen the ingredients, while the following batches gently and carefully bring the enjoyment into the coffee pot. The preparation takes between three and five minutes and offers a full-bodied taste that is neither too bitter nor too acidic.
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Grind and contact time influence the taste
While some connoisseurs like to enjoy coffee with a strong aroma, other coffee lovers like a milder taste experience. According to your individual choice of coffee type, a well-brewed coffee expresses the respective aroma through the correct preparation.
Once the first test has been carried out with the basic values, you can influence the enjoyment of the coffee by adjusting the degree of grinding and contact time to achieve an individually perfect result. The basic rule here is that longer contact times make the coffee tart, while finer grinds extract more ingredients from the coffee grounds and make the aroma more intense.
So feel free to experiment with different numbers of grams, grinds and contact times until your favorite coffee develops its optimal aroma. You can then incorporate the individual experience values into your future coffee enjoyment.
Base ratio for other types of preparation
If you would like to prepare your coffee in a different way, the grind, the contact time and the amount of water may also change.
- For brewing coffee with the French Press, the ratio of 30 g per 500 ml of water is maintained, but the grind is chosen to be coarser, while the contact time is extended to 4 to 5 minutes.
- The mocha pot is completely filled in the coffee compartment and filled with around 200 ml of warm water with the same degree of grinding as for filter coffee, so that the time on the stove while heating the water does not damage the aroma of the coffee grounds.
- The Karlsbader Kanne is considered a maker for a strong, aromatic coffee, which is poured in a mixing ratio of around 20 to 22 g with 350 ml water with a coarse grind.
Read more about grinding:
Our conclusion: Basics and experience are important when making coffee
The way to a perfectly brewed coffee leads through an optimized mixture of basic facts and personal experience. The amount of ground coffee is selected in the optimal ratio to the water and the appropriate preparation method, but can vary significantly depending on the type of coffee and grind.
- 30 g of ground coffee and 480 ml of water provide a good basis for testing new types of coffee with coffee filters
- the finer the coffee grounds, the shorter the correct contact time
- the correct temperature for making coffee is no more than 95 ° C so as not to restrict the aroma
