Welcome to Coffee In Touch, the one stop site where we breathe coffee! This is very much a fan site of the famous beverage with tons of tips and recipes to have you enjoying that next cup just a little more. In this article we’ll go over how to make coffee, coffee bean types, roasting methods, coffee and storage. Think of this as a rough and dirty on ramp into the coffee brewing niche! We’ve got a ton of resources that dig into the nuances of brewing, grinding, and everything in between. Heck, we’ve even got a tech corner for all those folks that like to hang in coffee shops!
If you need a healthy energy drink alternative, coffee might be what you’re looking for. Below you’ll find a brief introduction into some coffee brewing techniques!
Looking for Coffee Gear?
How’re you going to make a kick ass cup of coffee or espresso without the gear to do it? Well we’re really happy you’re dropping by, because we’ve done a lot of testing and research! We’ve got the best coffee grinders, the best espresso machines that can fit your budget, and so much more! Please read on!
How To Make Espresso
Espresso is a type of coffee that is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. It originated in Italy in the early 20th century and has since become a staple of coffee culture around the world. Espresso is known for its strong, bold flavor and high concentration of caffeine, and it forms the base for many popular coffee drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes, and Americanos.
The process of making espresso involves grinding coffee beans and tamping them into a compact puck in a portafilter. The portafilter is then locked into an espresso machine, which uses high pressure to force hot water through the compacted coffee grounds and extract a shot of espresso. The process typically takes 20-30 seconds and yields 1-2 ounces of concentrated coffee.
One of the key features of a good espresso shot is the crema, a layer of foam that forms on top of the shot and adds both flavor and texture to the drink. A high-quality espresso should also have a balanced flavor, with a combination of sweetness, bitterness, and acidity, and a smooth mouthfeel.
WE RECOMMEND: Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
Espresso is a type of coffee that is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. It is characterized by its strong flavor, crema (a layer of foam on top of the shot), and high concentration of caffeine.
Here’s a simple recipe for making espresso with a Breville Espresso Machine, Barista Express:
- Fill the water tank and turn the machine on.
- Grind about 20 grams of freshly roasted coffee beans to a fine consistency.
- Place the ground coffee in the portafilter and tamp it to ensure an even distribution.
- Lock the portafilter into the machine and place a shot glass under it.
- Turn on the shot function and let the espresso extract until you have reached the desired amount (typically 1-2 ounces).
- Pour the espresso into a cup and enjoy!
How To Make Coffee
Brewing Guide French Press
The French Press is one of the simplest ways to make coffee. All you need is hot water and grounds, and you’re set.
The French press consists of a water chamber with a plunger that has a metal screen running the circumference of the press.
Steps for making coffee:
- Fill the carafe with warm water to pre-heat everything. The chill of a cold press will not only cool the coffee prematurely, but the plunger won’t glide as well cold.
- Begin heating 2 cups of fresh water.
- Add 6 Tsp / 31 grams of freshly ground coffee to the carafe. We recommend a darker roast for this method.
- At boil, remove from heat and let cool for 30 seconds.
- Add enough water to the coffee to soak it, but do not fill the entire carafe yet. This is called blooming, and it gives the water a chance to extract the oils for maximum flavor. Set a 30 second timer.
- Continue to add water and fill the carafe. Set a 4 minute timer.
- Press down the plunger to push the grounds to the bottom of the carafe. Take it slow. Pushing hard and fast is only going to negatively impact the flavor.
- Enjoy!
Brewing Guide Aeropress
An Aeropress is a great way to make coffee especially if you’re tight on space or traveling. You can think of it almost like a reverse french press, perfect if making an individual cup of coffee.
Steps to making coffee:
- Place a filter into the cap. Screw onto the upper chamber.
- Use a sturdy mug on a sturdy surface — you will need to press down on top of the mug and you do not want this to spill on you!
- Bring water to a boil in a separate kettle. Optimal temperature is 175 degrees F.
- While water heats, add one heaping scoop of espresso grounds into the main chamber. Level it off.
- Add hot water, and stir for 10 seconds. This is the blooming process of extracting the best flavors and oils from the grounds.
- Insert the plunger and press down for about 30 seconds. When you get real resistance stop.
- Enjoy your espresso!
- If you’d like a more traditional American cup of coffee, just add more water to the mug directly.
Brewing Guide Percolator
Usually it’d start with “Ma, can you put on the perk?”
I have fond memories of my grandma putting the percolator together for visits with my aunts and uncles. There was something very special being together at her house, and if there’s any way to describe the aroma, it was always the perked coffee.
This Cuisinart PRC-12 Percolator is another simple device that uses boiling water to brew coffee, although this method is a bit on the slow side. I don’t mind it though, because the aromas it gives off to the room is incredible, and not something you get from an automatic drip.
The basics is very similar to a Moka Pot (see below). An upper chamber is filled with water and placed on a heat source either electric or stovetop gas. There is a metal stem attached to the bottom that pipes boiling water up and into a metal tray that holds the coffee. As water boils up the pipe, it floods the coffee grounds and drips back down to the bottom.
The best part is these are really simple to use and difficult to screw up.
Steps for making coffee:
- Fill the main chamber with the appropriate amount of water. Depending on the percolator size, it should give an indication of how much water to use.
- I tend to do 1 spoonful of grounds to however many cups of water used. So if making 9 cups of coffee, use about 9 spoonfuls. Keep in mind there is some water lost to evaporation, so you may want to adjust according to your tastes.
- Bring the water to a boil, once it starts to perk, give it 4-7 minutes to fully brew before removing from the heat source. A lot of the electric percolators will do this automatically.
- Enjoy!
Brewing Guide Moka Pot
Also known as an Italian coffee maker, a Moka pot is a super cheap way to make espresso via a stove top. I first came across it at a friend’s house when he offered all of us coffee, and laid eyes on this tiny pot. I was astounded by how delicious the coffee turned out.
This Primula Moka Pot is essentially a small kettle with a removable base.
The lower base has a pressure valve and is filled with water to below that valve. There is a metal cup where coffee is loaded, and that cup has a metal stem to carry boiling water through the grounds and up into the upper chamber for serving. It is a one time pass through the coffee.
It’s a super simple set up, and one that I love to use because it is almost impossible to get wrong. Check out our guide to using the moka pot!
Best Frother: Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother
WE RECOMMEND: Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother
A handheld automatic frother is a tool used for frothing or steaming milk for coffee drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. It is a small, handheld device with a battery-powered motor that rapidly agitates the milk, creating foam and increasing its volume.
The Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother is a handheld automatic frother designed to froth and steam milk for coffee drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. It is compatible with Nespresso’s line of single-serve espresso machines and can be used with a variety of milks, including cow’s milk, soy milk, and almond milk.
The Aeroccino3 features an automatic and simple operation, with a one-touch button that starts the frothing process. It also has a compact, lightweight design and can be stored easily in a kitchen cupboard or on a countertop.
The Aeroccino3 has two frothing settings: one for cold frothed milk and one for hot milk. The hot frothing setting heats the milk to about 160°F and creates a creamy, velvety foam that is perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. The cold frothing setting creates a lighter, fluffier foam that is great for iced coffee drinks.
Best Coffee Scale: YonCon Kitchen Scale
If you need to measure coffee, get yourself a 0.1g high accuracy scale. There are a ton of food scales on the market, but a lost of them don’t display enough decimal places to get the full read on what you’re measuring. It’s a bit self defeating especially when it comes to making coffee, baking, or cooking in general. We like this YonCon Kitchen Scale because it’s a solid design that’s been used for years and it works perfectly. It is in our opinion, the best coffee scale we’ve seen yet.
WE RECOMMEND: YonCon Kitchen Scale
Coffee Bean Types
There are two main types of coffee beans Arabica and Robusta that the majority of the world cares about. To be fair there are other types, but for simplicity sake we will only cover these two.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans are the most commonly used for specialty coffee and are known for their mild and aromatic flavor profile. They are typically grown at higher altitudes, and are more susceptible to disease and pests. Arabica beans are usually more expensive than Robusta beans, as they require more care and attention during cultivation and harvesting.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans, as the name suggests, are known for their robust and bold flavor profile. They are grown at lower altitudes and are more resistant to pests and disease. Robusta beans are generally considered to be of lower quality than Arabica beans and are used primarily in mass-produced coffee products.
In addition to Arabica and Robusta, there are also a number of less common coffee bean varieties, including Liberica and Excelsa, which are grown primarily in Asia and Africa. These varieties are less commonly used in commercial coffee production, but they offer unique and interesting flavor profiles for those who seek them out.
Overall, the type of coffee bean used can have a significant impact on the flavor, aroma, and overall quality of the coffee, and it is important to consider the type of bean when selecting coffee products or brewing methods.
Coffee Roast Types
Light Roasts
Typically lighter in their color, light roasts tend to also have milder and lighter taste. This roast also tends to not have the bean’s oils come through, as they haven’t been roasted a lot. Some joke this is coffee for people who don’t like coffee, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Light roasts are excellent for morning coffee when a lighter touch might be desired.
Medium Roasts
Medium roast coffee are a bit stronger than the light roast with a fuller body and a bit more punch. Often known to be the “American roast”, medium roasted coffee makes up the majority of the roasted coffee since it is such a great balance of bitterness and flavor.
Medium Dark Roasts
The longer that coffee beans are roasted, the more their natural oils start to come through. This is where a lot more of the flavor comes out on the surface of a brew. The coffee color is a bit darker and has a much richer and often bitter-sweet flavor to it.
Dark Roasts
Dark roast coffee is very strong and very bitter. This coffee color is super dark brown, and are at times charred. These beans are typically used for espresso, and is popular with European countries such as Vienna, Italy and France.
How Long Does Coffee Last?
Coffee beans lose their flavor and aroma when exposed to oxygen also known as oxidation. For bagged coffee that is already vacuum sealed, you can get away with 12 months.
Typically there’s a two week period after roasting where the coffee will start to change. The best thing you can do is:
- Keep out of direct sunlight, in a dark bag / container.
- Remove as much oxygen from the container as possible. Squeeze the bag to get as much air out as possible! This can ensure coffee lasts up to 5-6 months!
- Utilize a coffee pouch that uses a one-way valve.
How Much Coffee Per Cup?
The amount of coffee per cup can vary depending on personal preference and the brewing method being used. Generally, a good starting point is to use a ratio of 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water, or roughly 15 to 30 grams of coffee per 180 milliliters of water.
However, it is important to note that this is just a general guideline, and the actual amount of coffee used may need to be adjusted based on factors such as the type of coffee being used, the grind size, and the brewing method. For example, a French press may require a coarser grind and a higher coffee-to-water ratio than a drip coffee maker.
Types of Coffee/Espresso Makers
Aside from the typical machines you can buy anywhere, here are a few other methods to making coffee.
Coffee Subscription Services
These days, there seems to be a subscription box for everything under the sun. While you may not need a new pair of underwear every month, coffee is a different animal.
I’m a fan of Peet’s coffee delivery because they have a wide selection of bean types. As of this writing, they have upwards of 50 different coffees to choose from! Shipping included! We’re big fans of Peet’s coffee delivery subscription because they roast the same day as it ships and they make it super easy to pause, skip, or even cancel the service. You can count on freshness arriving to your doorstep.
What Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew coffee is a slightly different method of brewing coffee via an extended steeping process over 12-24 hours rather than extracting coffee via heat energy. The result is a coffee concentrate that can have up to twice the amount of caffeine than a standard cup of coffee! Want to learn how to make it? Checkout our guide to making cold brew.