Four Ways We Tell Guests to Brew at Home

Guests at the bar ask us how to make our coffee taste this good at home. Here are the four ways we tell them, with the simple steps for each.

You do not need anything fancy. Start with the drip machine or cone you already have, a tablespoon, and a bag of fresh coffee. If you are still picking a bag, our guide on how to pick from 50+ coffees helps, or you can browse all of our coffee. Every bag can be ground for you when you order, or you can buy whole bean. All of these steps also live on our brewing page.

Auto Drip

A ten cup coffee maker only fills about four mugs. Most home machines mark a "cup" as about 6 ounces of water, and the mug you drink from holds more like twelve.

• Match your grind to your machine. A flat bottom filter and a cone shaped filter take different grinds, and the Drip Grind option on our bags is the easy pick.
• Use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for each "cup" of water you add.
• Brew the coffee according to the manufacturer's instructions.

More drip tips are on our brewing page.

French Press

• Set the empty press on a dry, flat surface and pull the plunger straight up and out.
• Add 2 level tablespoons (or 1 scoop) of coarse ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. Coarse only. A fine grind clogs the filter and makes a mess. Choose the Coarse Grind / French Press option when you order.
• Pour in hot, nearly boiling water, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
• Set the plunger on top without pressing, and let it brew for 3 minutes.
• Hold the handle, turn the spout away from you, and press straight down. Pour.

We carry a French press if you need one, and the full French press steps are on our brewing page.

Melitta Cone

The Melitta cone is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to get a clean, balanced cup.

• Grind fine. Choose the Fine Grind / Paper Cone option when you order.
• Use a ratio of 1:16, about 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water, with water at 195 to 205°F.
• Put the filter in the cone and rinse it with hot water. Pour that water out.
• Add the coffee and shake gently to level it.
• Pour just enough water to wet the grounds and let it bloom for 30 to 45 seconds.
• Keep pouring slowly in small circles, holding the water level steady. Total brew time should be 3 to 4 minutes.

If it drains too fast, go finer next time. If it stalls or tastes bitter, go a little coarser. Our brewing page has the full pour over steps.

Chemex

The Chemex makes a very clean, smooth cup because of its thick paper filter.

• Grind medium coarse, a bit coarser than standard drip. Use a ratio of 1:15, with water at 195 to 205°F.
• Fold the filter so the three-layer side faces the spout, then rinse it well and pour out the rinse water.
• Add the coffee, level it, and bloom with a small pour for 30 to 45 seconds.
• Pour in slow, steady circles until you reach the amount you want. Total brew time should be 4 to 5 minutes.

If the cup tastes thin, grind a touch finer. The full Chemex steps are on our brewing page.

Cold Brew and Fresh Beans

Want it cold instead? That is a different method, and our cold brew guide walks through it. You can make it at home with our Cold Brew Coffee Maker. Whichever way you brew, keep the beans in an air-tight container in a cool, dry cupboard, not the freezer. Our post on how to store coffee beans explains why.

Still not sure which method is yours? Come see us at our cafe at 321 Motor Way, tell us how you brew, and we will point you to a bag that fits.