The Complete Guide to Brewing Wilder Coffee at Home

There’s nothing quite like the perfect cup of coffee to start your day. Whether you love the boldness of espresso or the truthfulness of a pour-over, the brewing method you choose makes all the difference. Here’s a detailed and personalized guide to some of the most popular coffee brewing devices and how to use them.

1. Drip Coffee Maker - The Reliable Classic
If you love waking up to the smell of fresh coffee, a drip coffee maker is a perfect choice.

1. Use a medium grind and a coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:16 (e.g., 1 gram of coffee per 16 grams of water).
2. Fill the reservoir with filtered water.
3. Place a paper filter in the machine and add your coffee grounds evenly.
4. Start the brew cycle and let the machine handle the rest.
5. For a fuller taste, use freshly ground beans and clean your machine regularly to prevent buildup.

2. French Press - The Rich & Full-Bodied Brew
If you enjoy a robust, full-bodied cup of coffee, the French press is your go-to method.

1. Use a coarse grind and a ratio of 1:15 (e.g., 30 grams of coffee to 450 grams of water).
2. Heat water to about 200°F (93°C).
3. Add the coffee grounds to the French press.
4. Pour in half the water and stir gently to ensure even extraction.
5. Add the remaining water and let steep for about four minutes.
6. Press the plunger down slowly until it is just below to top of the coffee and serve immediately.

3. Pour-Over - The Coffee Purist’s Choice
For those who love precision and control, the pour-over method delivers a clean and complex cup.

1. Use a medium-fine grind and a coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:17. For one serving use 22g of coffee to 365g of water.
2. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any papery taste and preheat the brewer.
3. Add your coffee grounds to the filter and gently shake to level.
4. Start with a small bloom phase by pouring 65g of hot water over the grounds, allowing it to bloom for 30 seconds.
5. Slowly continue pouring in circular motions from inside to the outer edge of the coffee bed.  Stop when scale reads 180g and wait for 30 seconds.
6. Repeat Step 5, pouring until you reach 365g.
7. Let the coffee drain completely, then serve and enjoy.

4. AeroPress - The Traveler’s Best Friend
Perfect for coffee lovers on the go, the AeroPress is compact, quick, and versatile. We used an AeroPress Go to make coffee for months on the road and this is our recipe.

1. Use a fine grind and a coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:14 (e.g., 17-18 grams of coffee to 240 grams of water).
2. Insert a paper filter into the AeroPress cap. No need to rinse with hot water.
3. Add the coffee grounds to the chamber.
4. Pour in hot water around 5 seconds off boil (about 200°F), stir vigorously for about 10 seconds making sure to disperse coffee clumps on the bottom.
5. Insert the plunger at an angle and carefully lean it to stand vertical. Create a vacuum seal by slightly pulling the plunger up. 
6. Immediately set a timer for 3:15. 
7. When timer sounds, press plunger down slowly until no coffee or air is left.
8. Enjoy! For each new coffee, we recommend experimenting with different brew times and coffee to water ratios to make your AeroPress stronger or weaker.

5. Espresso Machine - The Bold & Versatile Shot
For a rich, concentrated coffee experience, an espresso machine is essential. Espresso also serves as the base for many delicious milk-based drinks.

1. Use finely ground coffee with a ratio of about 1:2 (e.g., 18 grams of coffee to 36 grams of extracted espresso).
2. Distribute and tamp the grounds evenly in the portafilter.
3. Insert the portafilter into the machine and start the extraction process (should take 25-30 seconds).
4. For a latte, steam milk to when the metal pitcher is too hot to comfortably hold (around 150°F or 65°C) and pour it over your freshly pulled shot of espresso.
5. For a cappuccino, foam the milk like you would for a latte but lift the tip of the wand to just below the surface of the milk for 2-4 seconds at the beginning. This will create the layer of frothy milk foam on the top of your steamed milk that makes a great cappuccino. 

Note: Experiment with other milk based espresso drinks! There are a ton out there that are very easy to make and taste great. Also, clean your portafilter and machine regularly to maintain consistent quality.

Now Get Brewing!

As you can see, each method offers a unique coffee experience. Trying them out and finding your favorite is what makes coffee fun.

And if you need some exciting beans for your next brew, you know where to find them...