Brewing great coffee is not difficult. There are some basic guidelines to follow that will help you achieve success every time. Keep in mind, however, that "great tasting" coffee is subjective. Some people like coffee brewed stronger, some like it brewed a bit weaker. It is really up to you.

So in the end, just remember:
If it tastes good to you, then it is good!

Here are some basic guidelines to help you get started.

Simple Guidelines

• Always use fresh water
• Always use fresh coffee, like Storehouse Coffee Company coffee, that has been properly stored.
• Use 6-8 heaping tablespoons of ground coffee for a 10-12 cup drip coffee decanter
• Adjust to taste by adding more or less coffee in the future.  Keep in mind that using too little coffee will not make your brewed coffee weaker, it will make it bitter. If you find the coffee is too strong, add some hot water to it, this is perfectly OK.
• If it tastes good to you, then it is good!

Detailed Guidelines

• The Water:
  Always use good, clean water. Brewed coffee is about 98% water, so pay attention to this detail. If you have hard or soft water, high chlorine water, etc., these traits will be evident in your coffee. Always use the freshest and cleanest water you can. We do not recommend using distilled water.



• The Coffee:
  Always use fresh coffee. Coffee, just like any food item, can go stale over time. To have the best cup of coffee possible, use the freshest coffee available. Coffee just like you can get from us here at Storehouse Coffee Company; Because Coffee Matters!
  The enemies of coffee are oxygen, light and moisture so be sure to follow our guidelines for properly storing your coffee. Whole bean coffee will stay fresh longer than ground coffee. Grinding just enough coffee for what you will brew is preferred.



• The Grind:
  Always choose the right grind. Different brewing methods require different grind types. Brewing methods are truly a matter of personal preference, but choosing the right grind to match is a must. The basic rule of thumb is to use a finer grind for faster brewing methods. For example; if you are brewing your coffee using a press pot which will take several minutes, you would want to use a very coarse grind. On the other hand, if you are brewing espresso which will extract in seconds, then you will want to use a fine grind. Please see our Grind Guide for further details.



• The Ratio:
  Choosing the correct proportion of coffee to water is the most important step in developing your perfect brewed coffee. Using a scoop or tablespoon to measure your coffee is fine, but realize that you are then measuring by volume. Different types of coffee, different roast levels, and different grinds will all offset the accuracy of this method. In order to be as consistent as possible, you should weigh your coffee for brewing using a simple kitchen scale.
  
  The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) recommends 10 grams of coffee for every 6 ounces of water; approximately 2 level tablespoons. This ratio of coffee to water is recommended to retrieve the optimum extraction of your coffee.
  Brewing time is also key. The entire brew cycle should occur within four to six minutes. If the brew cycle is less than four minutes, adjust to a finer grind. If the brewing cycle takes longer than six minutes, adjust to a coarser grind. The longer the brew time, the stronger the coffee, and the finer the grind, the stronger the coffee. Too long of a brewing cycle or too fine of a grind can both cause bitterness.
  
  Most people assume that a bitter tasting coffee is the result of too much coffee which has created a overly strong brewed coffee. On the contrary, brewed coffee that tastes bitter is usually a result of not using enough coffee. If too much water is poured through ground coffee, the result is over-extraction which results in bitterness. Increasing the amount of coffee used can actually reduce the chances of over extraction and thus bitterness. If a less concentrated coffee flavor is desired, hot water can be added to tone it down. Ultimately, you will have to find the right balance that you prefer.



• The Temperature:
  The ideal temperature for the optimum extraction of coffee during the brewing cycle is 200° F (+/- 5°). If the temperature is too low, the result will be weak, under extracted coffee. If the temperature is too high, the result will be a scalded and possibly bitter taste to the coffee.



• Holding:
  Continuous heating of brewed coffee will cause water to evaporate and essentially cook you coffee. The result is an extreme loss of flavor and a stale, burned sensation. Never leave your coffee on a heating element for more than 20-25 minutes. The ideal method for holding your coffee is in some sort of insulated thermal container that will maintain the temperature. Because the temperature is maintained and there is no continued heating, you coffee can stay fresh for 45 minutes or more (depending on the quality of the container).