There are different reasons why people like to drink coffee: to help them wake up in the morning, as an excuse to take a short break during their workday, or even to share a moment with their loved ones. Whatever the reason, there’s something that we can all agree on - not every cup of coffee is a good cup of coffee. Sometimes it’s too bitter, too watery, or just doesn’t give you that satisfaction that you’re looking for. If you’re trying to make the perfect coffee from home, you may have realized that it’s not as easy as it seems. Although there are different factors that affect the taste, one of the most important is having the right coffee to water ratio.
Since there are different ways to prepare coffee, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, we have to consider the different types of brewing methods that are used.
Different Types of Brewing Methods
Drip Brewing
This is one of the most popular ways to brew coffee because it’s easy and fast. That being said, many people simply estimate how much water and coffee that they need to use, resulting in a less than ideal flavor. The general rule for this type of brewing is to use 18 grams of water for every 1 gram of coffee used. If you want a stronger cup of coffee, you can use a 1:15 ratio, rather than 1:18, but that’s entirely up to your preference.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is considered the best way to make iced coffee at home because it's less acidic and generally stronger than regular coffee. Since it’s a much more concentrated ratio, you will use way less water than traditional drip brewing. That’s why a 1:8 ratio is recommended for a regular cold brew, and 1:5 for a stronger brew.
French Press
French presses allow the coffee to steep, rather than be filtered. This lets you taste and appreciate all of the flavors from the coffee beans, but it’s important to know how much coffee is required for the french press. The perfect ratio is 1 gram of coffee for every 12 grams of water, or 10 grams for a stronger cup.
Pour Over Coffee
Pour over coffee offers a better extraction than drip coffee and is also perfect for those of you that only want to make one cup of coffee. This method uses more water than some of the others, with the golden ratio being 1:17, or 1:15 for a more intense flavor.
Other Factors That Affect the Quality of Your Coffee
Although the coffee to water ratio is important, there are other factors that will affect the taste of your coffee, with one of the most important being the bean itself. Since there are two main types of coffee beans, which one you choose is actually a personal preference. The Arabica beans are grown in high altitude areas and are known for their slightly acidic and smooth taste. Robusta, on the other hand, grows in lower altitude areas and has a strong, bitter taste.
Aside from the type of bean you use, the freshness also plays a role. The fresher, the better! That’s why at Pax & Beneficia, we grind our coffee on a daily basis at our new location in Grapevine. The advantage of using freshly ground coffee is that it provides a better flavor and offers the maximum potential health benefits that coffee offers.
Other factors that will affect your cup of coffee include the coffee grind size, water quality, and even the cleanliness of the coffee machine that you’re using.
Why Every Detail Matters
If you’re learning how to make coffee, remember that everyone has different preferences. The information that we provided is so that you can get a general idea of the coffee to water ratio that each brewing method requires. That being said, don’t be afraid to experiment with the ratio; after all, that’s what makes coffee preparation fun! For instance, if the recommended ratios are too strong for you, then don’t be afraid to adjust it to your liking.
At Pax & Beneficia, we’ve taken the time to learn exactly how to make the perfect cup of coffee. From cultivation to using the right coffee to water ratio, we make sure that every cup of coffee has the perfect balance. That’s why we encourage our fellow coffee lovers to experiment with different types of coffee and flavors in order to better understand what they like.
