Avoid these top coffee brewing mistakes
Coffee is a great way to wake up, however, several coffee brewing factors can affect your morning cup.
Here are the top three coffee brewing mistakes to avoid:
- Not properly storing coffee
Whether you pre-grind your coffee or grind whole beans before brewing, the key to freshness is storing your coffee properly.
Coffee can quickly absorb odors and so you will want to keep your coffee at room temperature, in an airtight container, away from spices and direct sunlight.
Avoid storing your coffee in the refrigerator or freezer as cold temperatures can stress the packaging and create cracks exposing the coffee to air.
- Mismatching your grind style
Each coffee brewing machine requires a different style of grind to optimize the taste of the coffee. Grind your coffee too fine for your coffeemaker, you run the risk of having bitter coffee. Grinding coffee too coarse and you will find your coffee is almost tea-like or watered-down.
On a standard commercial coffee grinder, the dial shows 8 grind styles, from coarse to Turkish. Be sure that your coffee grind matches with the style of coffee brewer you will be using.
Most home coffee makers are suited for auto-drip. However, if you are brewing using a pour over, you will want your coffee ground fine. If you are brewing using the French press or cold brew you will need a coarse grind.
If you like to use the Chemex, depending on how much coffee you are brewing at once you will have to adjust the grind size. This way you do not run the risk of over extracting your coffee during the brewing process.
- Not using clean coffee brewing equipment
Using a clean coffee grinder and coffee maker can dramatically improve the taste of your home brewed coffee.
Over time, oils and coffee grinds build up and can leave off-tasting flavors in your equipment. By using coffee equipment cleaners and regularly cleaning your brewing equipment you help extend the life of your coffee brewer and grinder. We recommend cleaning your brewing equipment at least once a month.
Avoiding these three mistakes and you will be well on your way to enjoying your coffee at home.