Oct 12, 2023

What Makes Good Coffee: The Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Cup

Hi, I’m Brian, a coffee aficionado, blogger, and former Army veteran. I’m also a proud supporter of Aerial Resupply Coffee, a veteran-owned coffee brand that delivers premium roasts to your doorstep. In this article, I’m going to share with you what makes good coffee and how to brew a perfect cup at home. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, I hope you’ll find something useful and interesting in this ultimate guide.

The Quest for Coffee Excellence

Coffee is more than just a drink. It’s a passion, a culture, a science, and an art. Coffee lovers around the world are always looking for ways to improve their coffee experience, to discover new flavors, aromas, and sensations. But what makes good coffee? How do you brew excellence in a cup?

The answer is not simple. There are many factors that affect the quality and taste of coffee, from the beans to the water, from the grind to the brew method, from the temperature to the timing. And there’s no one right way to do it. Different coffees have different characteristics and preferences, and different people have different tastes and expectations.

But don’t worry. You don’t need to be an expert or have expensive equipment to enjoy great coffee at home. You just need to understand some basic principles and techniques, and experiment with different variables until you find your sweet spot. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the foundation, the art, the science, and the experience of coffee brewing. Let’s get started!

The Essence of Coffee Beans

The first and most important element of good coffee is the beans. Without quality beans, you can’t make quality coffee. No matter how good your brewing skills are, you can’t turn bad beans into good coffee.

So what makes quality beans? Well, there are three main aspects to consider: origin, variety, and roasting level.

Origins, Varieties, and Roasting Levels

Coffee beans are actually the seeds of the coffee plant, which grows in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The origin of the beans refers to the country or region where they are grown. Different origins have different climates, soils, altitudes, and cultivation practices, which affect the flavor and aroma of the beans.

Some of the most popular coffee origins are:

Ethiopia: The birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia produces some of the most diverse and complex coffees in the world. Ethiopian coffees are known for their floral, fruity, and winey notes.
Colombia: The second-largest producer of coffee in the world, Colombia offers a wide range of coffees with balanced acidity, sweetness, and body. Colombian coffees are often characterized by their nutty, chocolaty, and caramel flavors.
Brazil: The largest producer of coffee in the world, Brazil is famous for its smooth and low-acid coffees with nutty, chocolatey, and earthy notes.
Indonesia: The home of some of the most exotic and distinctive coffees in the world, Indonesia produces coffees with rich body, low acidity, and earthy, spicy, and herbal flavors.

The variety of the beans refers to the genetic subspecies of the coffee plant. There are hundreds of varieties of coffee plants, but the two most common ones are arabica and robusta.

Arabica: The most widely cultivated and consumed variety of coffee in the world, arabica accounts for about 60% of global production. Arabica plants are more delicate and sensitive to environmental conditions than robusta plants. They produce beans with higher acidity, lower caffeine content, and more complex flavors and aromas.
Robusta: The second-most cultivated and consumed variety of coffee in the world, robusta accounts for about 40% of global production. Robusta plants are more resilient and resistant to pests and diseases than arabica plants. They produce beans with lower acidity, higher caffeine content, and more bitter and harsh flavors and aromas.

The roasting level of the beans refers to the degree of heat and time applied to them during the roasting process. Roasting transforms the green and raw beans into the brown and aromatic ones that we use for brewing. Roasting also affects the flavor, aroma, body, and color of the beans.

Some of the most common roasting levels are:

Light roast: The beans are roasted for a short time at a low temperature, resulting in a light brown color and a high acidity. Light roast coffees retain more of their original flavor and aroma, as well as more caffeine. They often have floral, fruity, and citrusy notes.
Medium roast: The beans are roasted for a longer time at a higher temperature, resulting in a medium brown color and a balanced acidity. Medium roast coffees have less original flavor and aroma, but more developed ones. They often have nutty, chocolaty, and caramel notes.
Dark roast: The beans are roasted for the longest time at the highest temperature, resulting in a dark brown or black color and a low acidity. Dark roast coffees have the least original flavor and aroma, but the most roasted ones. They often have smoky, bitter, and burnt notes.

The Art of Brewing

Once you have your quality beans, you need to brew them properly to extract their flavor and aroma. Brewing is the art of combining coffee and water in the right proportions, at the right temperature, for the right time, using the right method.

There are many methods of brewing coffee, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and its own fans and critics. Some of the most popular ones are:

Pour-Over

Pour-over is a manual method of brewing coffee that involves pouring hot water over ground coffee in a filter. The water passes through the coffee and drips into a carafe or a cup. Pour-over allows you to control the speed and direction of the water flow, as well as the amount and distribution of the coffee grounds. This way, you can customize your brew according to your preference.

Some of the benefits of pour-over are:

It produces a clean and clear cup of coffee with no sediment or oils.
It highlights the subtle flavors and aromas of the coffee.
It is easy to use and clean.

Some of the drawbacks of pour-over are:

It requires more time and attention than other methods.
It can be inconsistent if you don’t have a steady hand or a precise scale.
It can be wasteful if you use disposable filters.

To make pour-over coffee, you’ll need:

A pour-over device, such as a Chemex, a V60, or a Kalita Wave.
A filter, either paper or metal, that fits your device.
A kettle, preferably with a gooseneck spout for better control.
A scale, to measure your coffee and water.
A timer, to track your brewing time.
A grinder, to grind your coffee beans.

The basic steps for making pour-over coffee are:

Boil your water and let it cool slightly to around 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C).
Grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency, similar to sea salt. You’ll need about 15 grams of coffee for every 250 milliliters of water.
Place your filter in your pour-over device and rinse it with hot water to remove any paper taste and preheat your device. Discard the rinse water.
Add your ground coffee to the filter and gently shake it to level it. Place your device on your scale and tare it to zero.
Start your timer and pour about 50 milliliters of water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, making sure to wet them evenly. This is called the bloom, which allows the coffee to release carbon dioxide and prepare for extraction. Wait for about 30 seconds.
Continue pouring water over the coffee in small increments, keeping the water level just above the grounds. Follow a spiral pattern from the center to the edge and back. Avoid pouring water directly on the filter, as this will bypass the coffee and dilute your brew.
Stop pouring when you reach your desired water weight, which should be about four times your coffee weight. For example, if you used 15 grams of coffee, you should pour 250 grams of water in total.
Wait for all the water to drain through the filter. This should take about two to three minutes. If it takes longer, you may need to grind your coffee coarser. If it takes shorter, you may need to grind your coffee finer.
Remove the filter and the grounds from your device and enjoy your pour-over coffee!

French Press

French press is a simple and classic method of brewing coffee that involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in hot water for a few minutes, and then pressing down a metal mesh filter to separate the grounds from the liquid. French press produces a rich and full-bodied cup of coffee with more oils and sediment than other methods.

Some of the benefits of French press are:

It extracts more flavor and aroma from the coffee grounds than other methods.
It preserves more of the natural oils and antioxidants of the coffee.
It is easy to use and requires no paper filters.

Some of the drawbacks of French press are:

It can result in a bitter and over-extracted cup of coffee if you brew for too long or use too fine a grind.
It can leave some fine grounds and sludge in your cup, which some people may find unpleasant.
It can be difficult to clean and maintain.

To make French press coffee, you’ll need:

A French press, which is a glass or metal pot with a plunger and a metal mesh filter.
A kettle, to boil your water.
A scale, to measure your coffee and water.
A timer, to track your brewing time.
A grinder, to grind your coffee beans.

The basic steps for making French press coffee are:

Boil your water and let it cool slightly to around 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C).
Grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency, similar to breadcrumbs. You’ll need about 30 grams of coffee for every 500 milliliters of water.
Add your ground coffee to the French press and gently shake it to level it.
Start your timer and pour enough water to saturate all the grounds. Stir gently with a spoon or a chopstick to ensure even extraction.
Pour the rest of the water and place the lid on top of the French press, but don’t press down yet.
Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes, or adjust according to your taste preference. You can use a spoon to scoop out some of the foam and grounds from the surface if you want a cleaner cup.
Slowly press down the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the French press.
Pour your French press coffee into a mug or a carafe and enjoy!

Espresso

Espresso is a powerful and concentrated method of brewing coffee that involves forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee packed in a metal filter called a portafilter. Espresso produces a thick and intense cup of coffee with a layer of crema on top, which is a golden foam of emulsified oils and gases. Espresso is also the base for many other drinks such as cappuccino, latte, macchiato, and mocha.

Some of the benefits of espresso are:

It extracts more flavor and aroma from the coffee grounds than other methods.
It creates a rich and creamy texture with a layer of crema on top.
It offers a wide range of flavors and aromas depending on the pressure, temperature, and time of extraction.

Some of the drawbacks of espresso are:

It requires an expensive and complex machine to brew properly.
It requires a high level of skill and precision to achieve consistent results.
It can be very sensitive to changes in grind size, tamping pressure, and water quality.

To make espresso at home, you’ll need:

An espresso machine, which is a device that heats water and pumps it through ground coffee under high pressure.
A portafilter, which is a metal filter that holds the ground coffee in place.
A tamper, which is a tool that compresses the ground coffee into a compact puck in the portafilter.
A scale, to measure your coffee and water.
A timer, to track your extraction time.
A grinder, to grind your coffee beans.

The basic steps for making espresso are:

Fill the water reservoir of your espresso machine and turn it on to heat up.
Grind your coffee beans to a fine consistency, similar to powdered sugar. You’ll need about 18 grams of coffee for a double shot of espresso (or adjust according to your machine’s specifications).
Add your ground coffee to the portafilter and level it with your finger or a tool.
Tamp the grounds firmly with your tamper, applying about 30 pounds of pressure. The surface should be smooth and level.
Lock the portafilter into the group head of your espresso machine
Lock the portafilter into the group head of your espresso machine and start the timer.
Press the brew button to start the extraction. The ideal extraction time for a double shot of espresso is about 25 to 30 seconds, or adjust according to your taste preference.
Watch the stream of espresso as it flows out of the portafilter. It should start as a dark brown color and gradually become lighter and thinner, forming a tiger stripe pattern. This is called the blonding point, and it indicates the end of the optimal extraction.
Stop the extraction when you reach the blonding point, or when you have about 2 ounces of liquid in your cup.
Enjoy your espresso, or use it to make other coffee drinks!

Developing Your Palate

Now that you know how to master flavor science and brew excellent coffee at home, it’s time to enjoy it! But how can you appreciate all the nuances and subtleties of coffee? How can you describe what you taste and smell? How can you pair your coffee with other foods and drinks

The answer is to develop your palate, which is your ability to perceive and evaluate the flavors and aromas of coffee. Developing your palate is not only fun and rewarding, but also helps you improve your brewing skills and discover new coffees that suit your taste.

Tasting Notes

One of the ways to develop your palate is to learn the tasting notes of coffee, which are the words that describe the flavors and aromas of coffee. Tasting notes can be divided into three categories: aroma, flavor, and aftertaste.

Aroma is the smell of coffee before you drink it. It can be influenced by the origin, variety, and roasting level of the beans, as well as the brewing method and the freshness of the coffee. Some common aromas are floral, fruity, nutty, chocolatey, spicy, and smoky.
Flavor is the taste of coffee when you drink it. It can be influenced by the same factors as aroma, as well as the ratio, grind size, brewing time, water quality, and temperature of the coffee. Some common flavors are sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory.
Aftertaste is the lingering sensation of coffee after you swallow it. It can be influenced by the same factors as flavor, as well as the body and acidity of the coffee. Some common aftertastes are smooth, clean, crisp, dry, and astringent.

To identify the tasting notes of coffee, you can use a coffee flavor wheel (1), which is a tool that helps you visualize and categorize the different aspects of coffee aroma and flavor. You can also use a coffee tasting sheet (2), which is a tool that helps you record and rate the different attributes of coffee such as fragrance, acidity, body, flavor, balance, sweetness, aftertaste, and overall impression.

To practice tasting notes of coffee, you can do the following steps:

Choose a coffee that has clear and distinct tasting notes. For example, you can try Aerial Resupply Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, which has floral, citrusy, and tea-like notes.
Brew the coffee using your preferred method and parameters.
Smell the coffee before you drink it and try to identify the aroma notes. Use the coffee flavor wheel or a coffee tasting sheet to help you.
Sip the coffee and swirl it around your mouth for a few seconds. Try to identify the flavor notes. Use the coffee flavor wheel or a coffee tasting sheet to help you.
Swallow the coffee and pay attention to the aftertaste notes. Use the coffee flavor wheel or a coffee tasting sheet to help you.
Repeat steps 3 to 5 with different coffees and compare your results.

Coffee Pairings

Another way to develop your palate is to learn how to pair your coffee with other foods and drinks that complement or contrast its flavors and aromas. Coffee pairings can enhance your enjoyment of both your coffee and your food or drink by creating harmony or contrast between them.

Some general guidelines for choosing good coffee pairings are:

Match or contrast the intensity of your coffee and your food or drink. For example, a light roast coffee can pair well with a light breakfast such as yogurt and granola (match), or a spicy dish such as curry (contrast).
Match or contrast the flavors of your coffee and your food or drink. For example, a chocolatey coffee can pair well with a chocolate cake (match), or a citrusy dessert such as lemon tart (contrast).
Match or contrast the textures of your coffee and your food or drink. For example, a full-bodied coffee can pair well with a creamy cheese (match), or a crunchy cookie (contrast).

To experiment with different coffee pairings, you can do the following steps:

Choose a food or drink that you want to pair with your coffee. For example, you can choose a cheese board, a cake, or a cocktail.
Choose a coffee that matches or contrasts with your food or drink in terms of intensity, flavor, and texture. For example, you can choose Aerial Resupply Coffee’s Sumatra Mandheling, which has earthy, spicy, and full-bodied notes.
Brew the coffee using your preferred method and parameters.
Serve your food or drink and your coffee together and taste them. Try to notice how they interact with each other in terms of intensity, flavor, and texture.
Experiment with different combinations and see what you like best.

Brewing Excellence at Home

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of this ultimate guide to coffee. You’ve learned the foundation, the art, the science, and the experience of coffee brewing. You’ve also learned how to choose quality beans, brew them using different methods, perfect them using different variables, and enjoy them using different senses.

But this is not the end of your coffee journey. It’s only the beginning. There’s so much more to explore and discover in the world of coffee. There are endless varieties, origins, roasts, methods, flavors, aromas, and pairings to try. There are also new trends, innovations, and technologies to follow.

The best way to learn more about coffee is to keep brewing, tasting, and experimenting. And the best way to do that is to have access to fresh and premium coffee beans that suit your taste and preference.

That’s why I recommend you to check out Aerial Resupply Coffee, a veteran-owned coffee brand that delivers high-quality roasts to your door. They offer a variety of coffees from different origins and varieties that are freshly roasted and shipped to you within days.

One of their best products is the Coffee Sampler, which lets you try five different roasts in one package. You get a single 2 ounce pack of light, medium, dark, espresso, and double caffeinated roasts. Each roast comes in a 2-ounce bag that makes about 10 cups of coffee.

The Coffee Sampler is a great way to explore different coffees and find your favorite one. You can also use it to practice your brewing skills and develop your palate. And you can also share it with your friends and family and enjoy some quality time together.

If you’re looking for a reliable source of excellent coffee that supports a good cause, look no further than Aerial Resupply Coffee. They are not only passionate about coffee, but also about giving back to the veteran community. They donate a portion of their profits to various veteran organizations that help veterans transition back to civilian life.

So what are you waiting for? Order your Coffee Sampler today and start brewing excellence at home! You’ll be glad you did!

Until next time, happy brewing!