(No affiliate links!)
The Coffee Elite vs. Reality
Coffee connoisseurs are a varied lot, with some espousing tradition while others spare no expense to create the perfect cup, while pontificating about “notes of mountain mist,”
Good News: Recently published research suggests a cup of Java in the morning may be more strongly associated with a lower risk of mortality 🤗
My morning routine starts with measuring beans with an old measuring spoon and heating water in the microwave using a chipped Pyrex measuring cup. After years of Keurig coffee nearly ruined my morning ritual, I found a middle ground: better than diluted Keurig or burnt beans, and without timing my pour-over like a science experiment.
Hope you like my practical, thrifty exploration into making a near perfect cup of coffee. Comments appreciated!
Best Amazon Coffee Beans
Death Wish Coffee Whole Bean Dark Roast – Extra Kick of Caffeine
(reportedly used by the Space Station Astronauts!)
Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast, Whole Bean
Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Medium Roast Organic Whole Bean Coffee
Mayorga Dark Roast Coffee Cubano Arabica Café Whole Coffee Beans
Favorite Coffee Brewing Contraptions
Hario V60 Pour Over Coffee Starter Set
Quick and easy, make coffee right to your cup, easy clean
Chemex Funnex
Better than the basic Chemex, like the V60, makes right into your cup
Aeropress
Highly rated, single serve, bit of PIA to clean, multiple parts but portable
Coffee Filters (Pour Over)
Melitta #6 Cone Coffee Filters, Unbleached Natural Brown
Best ‘Portable’ Coffee Maker
Makita DCM501Z 18V LXT (use your cordless drill batteries!)
Outin Nano Portable Electric Espresso Machine
Keurig
Stay away! Crappy, watery coffee, overpriced, k-cups filling landfills and the machines don’t usually last more than a year or two.
Making Good ‘Pour Over’ Coffee
Coffee to Water Ratio: Start with 1:15 to 1:17 (0.06) ratio
For 8-10 oz cup, start with 3 to 4 tablespoons (~18 grams) ground coffee and remember coarseness of grind will affect strength of your brew.
Grams to Tablespoon Calculator
PS: Don’t store coffee in the grinder!
Grind Settings (Baratza Encore, recommended by most ‘coffee sites’ and Wirecutter)
Pour Over 18-20
Aeropress 12-14
French Press 20-28
Cold Brew 24-30
Clean your grinder burrs
Use rice or this stuff (about $20)
Urnex Grindz Professional Coffee Grinder Cleaning Tablets
Love the Airscape coffee & food storage canister with a plunger lid which removes and locks out air and humidity. Has a two-way valve to push out excess air to preserve & protect freshness & flavor. Best to keep between 50 and 70 degrees F.
The Vsitoo Self-Heating Mug keeps your coffee or drink at set temperature for up to 4 hours (use a smartphone app to set the temperature.) No more lukewarm coffee!
Kettle Recommendations
I use a measuring cup and microwave, 3-4 minutes)
Shoot for 205 degrees F
Chefman Gooseneck Electric Kettle
Easyworkz Gage Gooseneck Pour Over Coffee Kettle
Simax Glassware 20 Oz. Glass Teapot (microwavable)
Glass Teapot with Infuser Stovetop Safe Glass Kettle, Borosilicate Glass, Microwave Safe
Books
World Atlas of Coffee
How To Make The Best Coffee At Home
Favorite Coffee Sites
Dr Bob, Brain Mechanic 