Coffee Brewing Basics: Quick Guide

The purpose of this guide is to provide a quick reference to the key principles for brewing a good cup of coffee. For a more detailed explanation of the points below, see our Coffee Brewing Basics Guide.

The Basics

• Extraction is the process by which water pulls soluble compounds from coffee grounds. It also describes what ends up in your cup.
  
• Under-extraction means the water did not pull enough soluble compounds from the coffee.
  
• Over-extraction means the water pulls too many soluble compounds from the coffee.
  
• Both under-extraction and over-extraction result in bad-tasting coffee

The Water

• Water quality matters, but most of us have limited control over our water sources. At a minimum, use carbon-filtered water.
• Use 200°F (93°C) as a starting point for brewing if you have control over water temperature.
• The hotter the water, the greater the extraction.
• Adjust water temperature when troubleshooting your brew.

The Coffee

• Do some research on the company you buy coffee from. Ask about their sourcing and ensure they purchase specialty-grade coffee.
• Use coffee between 3 days and 4 weeks after the roast date.
• Air is the enemy of coffee. Minimize the coffee’s exposure to air.
• Store coffee in the original bag at room temperature.
• Weigh coffee using grams, ideally to the tenth of a gram.
• Know how much water your brewing equipment uses by weighing it.
• Use a 17:1 water-to-coffee ratio as a starting point for most brew methods (except espresso and concentrated cold brew).

The Grind

• Grind coffee just before brewing, ideally using a burr grinder.
• Grind size depends on how long the water is in contact with the coffee.
• Shorter brew times require finer grinds.
• Finer grinds have more surface area and produce higher extraction.
• Coarser grinds have less surface area and produce lower extraction.

Troubleshooting

Under-extracted

Signs include sourness, tanginess, weak flavor, or saltiness.

Try:

• Increasing water temperature
• Increasing brew time
• Grinding slightly finer
  

Over-extracted

Signs include bitterness, woody flavors, dryness, or a hollow taste.

Try:

• Lowering water temperature
• Shortening brew time
• Grinding slightly coarser
  

Too Weak of Coffee

• Increase the amount of coffee
• Grind slightly finer

Too Strong of Coffee

• Use less coffee
• Grind slightly coarser