Only true gourmets master the art and can tell you how to brew coffee beans. The quality of raw materials, production technology and methods of processing coffee seeds are of great importance in preparing the drink. The type of plant, proper roasting and grinding are important. To preserve the aroma and taste characteristics, special knowledge of brewing the drink is required. We understand the cooking methods, time frames and utensils suitable for the process.
The best varieties of your favorite drink
Common varieties are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is tender and aromatic, the taste is affected by soil fertility and weather conditions. Strong robusta is not demanding on growing conditions.
The best coffee beans include:
- Jardin - producers boldly experiment with the strength and proportions of different varieties of Arabica, the quality of bean processing remains high.
- Lavazza is an Italian brand. The most delicate types of Arabica are used.
- Paulig – complete harmony and impeccable aroma.
- Gut! – a strictly selected Arabica with a strong taste and rich aroma.
- Kimbo – mild taste. Keeps longer than other varieties.
Read more about the varieties of your favorite drink in the article “Rating of the best coffee beans.”
How to choose the right coffee beans
We need to experiment
Coffee lovers often joke that the search for the most suitable variety can take a lifetime. Even minor climate changes in the area where coffee trees grow affect the taste of the drink. And then the familiar variety receives new notes in taste and aroma.
Modern supermarkets offer a wide range from different manufacturers. It is important not to get lost in the abundance of goods and choose the right drink. Beginners will have to experiment to find the right taste and aroma. You can simplify the task by deciding which variety appeals to you in terms of smell, strength and other characteristics.
General selection rules
You need to buy coffee in specialized stores. Please note the release date. No more than a month should pass from the moment of packaging. When stored for a long time, roasted beans lose their aroma. Damaged packaging is not acceptable. Each one contains detailed information about the product.
The grains should be shiny in appearance. Tarnished or grayed ones were stored incorrectly; they will not make a tasty and aromatic drink. Ideally, they should be the same size: large Arabica beans (6-8 mm) and small Robusta beans (4-5).
Do not take more than one pack, maximum 200 g. Frequent opening and contact with air will spoil the taste and aroma of the drink.
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Buy green grains only clean and whole. The scattering should be free of debris, sand and foreign odors. The aroma of high-quality grain is smooth, without any hint of mold. Do not buy a product that is under lights. Constant light and heat spoil the original taste and smell.
Secrets of aromatic coffee
There are many recipes for making the drink. Experts offer their advice on how to do this correctly. Therefore, you yourself can find the option that will satisfy you in terms of quality and taste. But there are a few simple rules that are recommended to be followed:
- The beans should be freshly roasted and do not differ in size or color. You should buy them in specialized stores, where there will be more guarantees of choosing a quality product.
- The grains should be ground shortly before cooking. But not everyone can afford this. Therefore, you can buy already ground coffee in packaging or ask the store to grind it.
By the way, some experts recommend coarse grinding, believing that this will preserve the aroma of the beans. Others like the fine consistency.
- Turkish coffee will be especially tasty if you choose the right water. It must be fresh and clean. And it is imperative to use cold water.
- The Turk also needs to be prepared for use - it should be washed thoroughly. But using detergents is strictly not recommended.
- Before cooking, the Turk should be slightly heated so that the aroma of the grains is revealed to a greater extent. Ground powder is poured into a container and heated.
- The amount of powder and proportions with water should be determined by coffee lovers themselves.
Remember that a large amount of ground beans can be harmful to health and give the drink an overly bitter taste. Therefore, take 1-2 teaspoons of powder for 1 serving.
- Before pouring the drink into a cup, it is also advisable to warm it up slightly, for example, by pouring hot water.
- The use of various flavoring additives is allowed: sugar, cinnamon, cloves. And for some recipes their presence is required.
Many lovers are interested in the question of whether it is possible to boil coffee. This is not recommended. But try to ensure that a light film forms on the surface of the drink.
Roasting Tips
Can hide flaws
When choosing, it is better to stick to Arabica. Robusta is characterized by sourness and a high caffeine content. Tasty and high-quality bean coffee cannot be sold at a low price . The degree of roasting plays an important role. It is divided into several types.
For home preparation, it is better to buy medium-roasted beans; the drink will be strong and aromatic.
By roasting too intensely, unscrupulous companies try to mask defects in the beans (mold, cracks, uneven structure).
Two simple home methods
True gourmets buy green coffee beans and roast them themselves. To do this, use two methods: in a frying pan or in the oven.
Take a frying pan with high sides and a thick bottom. It is washed cleanly, eliminating extraneous odors so that the coffee does not lose its taste and aroma. Pre-washed and dried grains are laid out in a thin layer on a heated frying pan and fried for 7 to 25 minutes, stirring with a wooden spatula. After frying, allow to cool on a tray.
For frying in the oven, it is heated to 230 degrees. The grains are placed on a special baking sheet with a large number of holes. Fry for 15-20 minutes. Stir and check the degree of readiness preferably every 2 minutes.
Read more about roasting methods in the article “How to Roast Coffee Beans at Home.”
How to grind coffee without a coffee grinder
After roasting, it is better to leave the grains uncovered in a flat container to cool. You can grind no earlier than after 10 hours. And this can be done even without a coffee grinder. Every housewife has more than one kitchen device that helps with grinding:
- blender (put no more than 100 g of raw materials);
- food processor;
- meat grinder (only coarse grinding is obtained);
- spice grinder.
Raw materials are successfully prepared for brewing even without the use of mechanical and electrical devices, as our ancestors did. At the same time, a tasty, aromatic drink was brewed from grains. Among the manual grinding methods we highlight:
- mortar and pestle;
- rolling pin;
- chop hammer.
Read more about grinding methods in the article “How to grind coffee without a coffee grinder.”
Main types of grinding
It makes no difference how the coffee beans are ground, what matters is the particle size and consistency.
Fine and medium grinding are more suitable for cooking in a Turk. This is an oriental classic when, after emptying the cup, a lot of suspension remains at the bottom, which is used for fortune telling. To obtain such particles, it takes 15-20 seconds of operation of an electric coffee grinder.
To obtain a medium grind it takes 10-13 seconds of work, for a coarse grind it takes 7-10. Brew in coffee machines and coffee makers, since larger particles do not clog filters.
Read more about grinding methods in the article “Types of coffee grinding and what it affects.”
Features of preparing the drink
Revealing the taste
To make coffee at home have an unforgettable aroma and excellent taste, follow a number of simple recommendations.
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Firstly, you should grind coffee beans no earlier than ten minutes before preparation. Otherwise, taste and nutrients are lost. Secondly, the prepared drink must be poured into a preheated and dry container. Thirdly, to obtain good taste, it is better to buy a single variety.
Do not use boiled water or directly from the tap (chlorinated). Give preference to filtered or bottled. Before cooking, add a couple of crystals of salt, this will allow you to fully reveal the flavor palette of the drink.
To reveal the taste, it is important to maintain the proportions of water and coffee; those starting to use electronic scales better.
We look at the clock
The grinding option of the beans affects the brewing time of the drink. For thin, cook for no more than 3 minutes, for medium for up to 6 minutes, and for large for up to 8 minutes. Beginner coffee lovers need to use a watch to maintain the exact brewing time.
Do not bring the drink to a boil and remove it from the heat immediately after the foam rises, otherwise the taste will deteriorate. Additives are added to the finished drink to give it a more refined taste and aroma. Gourmets add: cream, milk, honey, chocolate, cinnamon, cardamom, nuts.
Read more about additives in the article “What else is added to coffee for taste and aroma”
A geyser coffee maker is the best alternative to a Turkish coffee maker
A geyser-type coffee maker is an excellent solution for those who do not want to bother with a Turk, but at the same time want to brew ground coffee correctly. The device consists of three different cameras. The first chamber is located at the bottom and is filled with purified water. After turning on the device, pressure is built up in this chamber, which allows water to rise into the second compartment. The middle chamber has the shape of a funnel (this is where the ground coffee is poured). In the third compartment the finished drink is collected directly.
It is the geyser coffee maker that allows you to get a drink that, in its taste, will be as similar as possible to Turkish coffee.
Of course, this is quite old-fashioned, and not as convenient as using bags or a French press. However, many connoisseurs claim that coffee prepared using this method is the most aromatic and rich. A logical question arises: why are geyser coffee makers not too popular?
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Firstly, although the coffee tastes rich, it may not be to everyone's taste. If you overdo the amount of ground beans, the drink will turn out bitter, and if you add too much water, it will be tasteless. Secondly, this particular method takes much more time than all of the above. It is also necessary to constantly monitor the coffee maker, which is not very popular for busy people (it is much easier to buy a fully automatic device).
Making your own bean coffee
How to brew at home in a saucepan
You can brew coffee correctly without having a coffee maker, successfully using different types of kitchen utensils. For example, let's take a regular saucepan. Its size depends on the number of servings required. It is not recommended to brew coffee all day. The drink is consumed immediately before the taste and aroma are lost.
The method of preparation and time, as in the Turk, is until the foam rises. After removing from heat, let sit for 3 minutes. For a detailed description of recipes on how to prepare bean coffee in a Turk, read the article “How to properly brew coffee in a Turk.”
Cooking in a cup
This is the easiest and fastest way to prepare a coffee drink. First, you need to finely grind the grains to obtain a richer taste. Then warm the cup by pouring hot water and then wipe it dry.
Pour 7 g of ground coffee per 100 ml of water. Fill with hot water - maximum 95 degrees, too hot boiling water will spoil the taste. Cover with a saucer and leave for 3-5 minutes. Then add sugar to taste and stir.
Of course, you won’t get the perfect drink using this method, but it will be quick and without much hassle. This is a suitable recipe for lazy citizens.
Cooking in a French press
A French press is a teapot with a special piston mechanism that removes small particles from the drink. It is important to choose the right size French press. A drink that sits for a little while loses its taste and aroma. The device greatly simplifies the brewing process. How to make coffee in a French press, procedure:
- Rinse the device with boiling water, dry it and add the desired portion of coffee.
- Pour in hot but not boiling water (95 degrees).
- Carefully, so as not to break the glass walls, mix the contents.
- The piston located on the lid of the device raises and closes the container.
- After 4-5 minutes, lower the piston. Let it sit for another 2-3 minutes so that the suspension of small particles settles.
- Pour into cups, adding sugar, cream, milk to taste.
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Gourmets pour ground spices into a French press flask to further diversify the taste.
Making coffee in an AeroPress
Choosing an Aeropress
The AeroPress is one of the newest ways to brew coffee. The device was invented in 2005 by Aerobie and has become so popular that since 2008, annual championships have been held for brewing coffee using the AeroPress.
There are no difficulties with choosing an AeroPress: the device is quite simple, the product configuration may change slightly from year to year, the manufacturer adds additional stirring spoons, replaceable filters, and funnels. The reason coffee brewing competitions are possible is because of the intricacies of using this simple device.
Cooking in an AeroPress
Grind 1.5 tablespoons of coffee and pour into the flask. The grind should be a little coarser than for Turks. You need to prepare 200 ml of hot water - not boiling water, the temperature should be about 90 °C. If you have a kettle with a thermostat, you can select the exact temperature. If not, wait three minutes after the kettle has boiled.
Fill the coffee with water. And from this moment the magic begins. The taste and strength of the drink depends on how long you keep the coffee in the flask and when you start stirring. It is no coincidence that a special application was released for iOS, telling how long coffee should be kept in an AeroPress.
Download QR Code
AeroPress Timer
Developer: Beloved Robot, LLC
Price: 449 rubles
Owners of Android smartphones are a little less fortunate: they will only be able to use a universal application that covers different methods of making coffee. There are also tips for Aeropress owners.
After the coffee has been standing for one to three minutes, put the filter on the flask, turn the Aeropress over and slowly push the coffee through the filter into the cup. If the piston moves hard, next time use a slightly coarser grind of coffee. The cooking process is shown in detail in this video.
The AeroPress is very easy to use, compact, easy to clean, coffee brews very quickly, and fine adjustments open up a truly limitless field for experimenting with the taste of your favorite drink. The only drawback is that there will be no coffee foam with this brewing method, since the water is heated separately from the beans.
How to brew coffee at home using savory additives
Show your imagination
Now let’s talk about how to make coffee beans at home using spices. There are many ways in the world, the main thing is that the resulting drink pleases with its aroma, gives vigor and a surge of vitality.
With some effort and imagination, you can even come up with your own recipe. Having mastered the subtleties, you will tell your relatives and friends how to properly brew coffee with spicy additives. Here are several ways to get a drink with an exquisite taste for gourmets.
Cinnamon
For lovers of a rich aroma and dense foam, a recipe with cinnamon would be ideal. To prepare, take 1/3 teaspoon of sugar and cinnamon plus a teaspoon of coffee. Everything is mixed and placed in a dry container. Then heat the container over the fire for 3-4 minutes, and pour 125 ml of water into it in a thin stream. After the foam has risen, pour small portions into a cup.
For those with a sweet tooth – honey and chocolate
Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy coffee with honey, cardamom and chocolate. To prepare, you need to grate the chocolate, add 30-40 g of cardamom seeds, 1 teaspoon of coffee and 100 ml of water. Cook over low heat. After the foam rises, remove and add half a teaspoon of honey.
Cognacs and liqueurs
A very rich palette of taste and aroma is obtained when preparing coffee beans with alcohol, in particular liqueur and cognac.
When drinking this drink, driving vehicles and working with moving machinery is not recommended. You should also consult your doctor about the possibility of consuming such alcoholic beverages.
How to brew: prepare coffee in the usual way; alcohol in the amount of 7-10 g per serving is added to the ready-made drink.
Brewing a coffee drink using a homemade muslin filter
But how to make ground coffee without a Turk and without a French press? You can try to make a homemade filter from available materials.
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You will need:
- coarse coffee;
- mug (preferably transparent and narrow);
- rubber bands for money;
- piece of muslin.
Instructions
Step 1. Cut a circle from clean fabric, the radius of which should be approximately 1.5 times the height of the cup. You can draw a bright dot in the center of the circle.
Step 2. Place the fabric in the cup so that the bright dot is directly in the center of the bottom. Wrap the extra fabric over the edges of the cup and secure it on top with elastic bands. The fabric filter must be attached to the sides very tightly (you can additionally use paper clips or a binder).
Step 3. Place 2 tablespoons of coarsely ground grains on a cloth and add hot water. At this stage there is a danger that the filter will slip off, so it is better to hold it with your hand.
Step 4. Leave the drink to brew for 3-4 minutes. Then carefully remove the elastic bands and lift the fabric from the thickener. The aromatic coffee will remain in the cup.
