Posted on 6th October 2023
Elevate Your Coffee Game: Crafting barista-style coffee at home.
Hey coffee enthusiasts! Are you tired of mediocre coffee that fails to hit the mark? Well, it's time to dive into the world of barista-style coffee from the comfort of your own kitchen.
In this blog post, we'll guide you through the process of selecting great beans and mastering brewing methods to recreate the magic of your favourite café at home. So, grab your favourite mug and let's begin this delicious journey!
1. Understanding BeansWhen it comes to brewing barista-style coffee, the key lies in using high-quality beans. Opt for freshly roasted whole beans instead of pre-ground coffee to enhance the flavour and aroma. Start exploring local coffee roasters or specialty stores nearby, as they often stock an excellent selection of beans from different origins.
Experiment with various roasts, such as light, medium, or dark (although we would personally avoid dark roasts as a lot of the amazing flavours inherent in the coffee are incinerated!), to discover your preferred flavour profile.
2. Decoding Bean LabelsBean labels may seem overwhelming for beginners, but fret not - we're here to simplify it for you. Look for terms like "single-origin" or "single estate," indicating that the beans are sourced from a single farm or region of farms, allowing you to taste unique flavours. On the other hand, "blends" comprise beans from multiple regions, usually offering a harmonious combination of flavours.
3. Finding Your Perfect Brew
Now that you've got your hands on some top-notch beans, let's find the ideal brewing method to suit your taste buds. Here are a few popular options to consider: French Press, Aeropress, Espresso, Moka Pot, manual drip filter and automatic drip filter machines such as the The Wilfa Classic + (available to buy in our web shop).
French Press
A timeless favourite amongst coffee connoisseurs, the French Press, also known as a cafetière, usually boasts a rich and full-bodied taste. It is generally the easiest and lowest cost way to brew coffee.
There are various techniques, but we like to select a coarse grind for our coffee and immerse in hot water for around 10 minutes with the occasional stir.
Our Columbian coffee El Aguila would taste great in a French Press.
Aeropress - Nelson Coffee Aeropress
The Aeropress generally yields a pretty clean and medium bodied cup of coffee, perfect for those seeking a quick and hassle free filter coffee option.
Best coffee for the job? A single origin specialty coffee with light-medium roast and medium to fine grind. We would recommend our Horizon IS-1 beans from Rwanda.
Espresso
Espresso is made by forcing very hot water under high pressure through finely ground compacted coffee. It has a more syrupy consistency than coffee prepared by other brewing methods. Espresso has a higher concentration of suspended and dissolved solids and crema.
Nelson Coffee Roasters take great pride in serving the exquisite Bear Blend at their Eastbourne coffee shop and café. Currently, it's the perfect meld of two remarkable single origin coffees: our cherished Rwandan coffee, Horizon IS-1, and our Brazilian delight, Sitio Serrinha.
If you're a fan of the robust flavour of an espresso but prefer to skip the caffeine jolt, we recommend trying our decaffeinated coffee – the Sidamo MC Decaf from Ethiopia.
If you're a fan of the robust flavour of an espresso but prefer to skip the caffeine jolt, we recommend trying our decaffeinated coffee – the Sidamo MC Decaf from Ethiopia.
Moka Pot
A Moka pot (aka stovetop) is also a great filter coffee option, if a little trickier to get right. In this three-chamber pot, boiling water turns to steam in the bottom section and filters through ground coffee in the middle area. This produces a strong coffee that travels through a spout into the top compartment, where it can be poured out.
Some brewers don’t rate this method highly as the process isn’t very precise, but it still brews a great strong coffee that you can use in milky drinks. Moka pot fans recommend starting with hot water (using oven gloves to screw the Moka pot closed), as it will evaporate much more quickly, reducing the contact time between the coffee and boiling water which can leave a bitter taste.
Avoid compressing the coffee, so that steam can rise through it quickly, and not let it boil once brewed, to avoid burning it. A Moka pot will usually only make enough coffee for one drink. As this method is usually enjoyed with some milk, we recommend going for a medium roasted coffee, such as our La Fuente from Nicaragua.
Some brewers don’t rate this method highly as the process isn’t very precise, but it still brews a great strong coffee that you can use in milky drinks. Moka pot fans recommend starting with hot water (using oven gloves to screw the Moka pot closed), as it will evaporate much more quickly, reducing the contact time between the coffee and boiling water which can leave a bitter taste.
Avoid compressing the coffee, so that steam can rise through it quickly, and not let it boil once brewed, to avoid burning it. A Moka pot will usually only make enough coffee for one drink. As this method is usually enjoyed with some milk, we recommend going for a medium roasted coffee, such as our La Fuente from Nicaragua.
Drip Filter: V60 01 Coffee Dripper
Drip filter is good for enhancing the flavours in light-medium roasted coffee. Whilst it's fairly easy to get started, it does take a bit of practice to really maximise the flavour in your cup. Essentially you're slowly pouring hot water over coffee grinds, which sit in a filter over a jug or a mug. Gravity does the hard work and the coffee drips out of the bottom of the filter.
There's a bit of practice needed for getting the right pouring technique to achieve even extraction, but once you've cracked it, it's very simple and reliable. Our Gregorio Esquen from Peru is perfect as a filter coffee, deliciously clean and fruity. We brew it in our V60 and it tastes amazing.
Automatic Coffee Dripper: The Wilfa Classic+
Wilfa Classic+ is an easy to use automatic coffee brewer that embodies aesthetically-pleasing design, seamless operation and technical excellence. It delivers an incredible cup and is ideal for households, cafés and offices.
The Wilfa Classic+ takes filter coffee brewing into stylish new realms. Simply add the desired amount of fresh ground coffee, water, press the button and wait. The brewer will heat the water and distribute this over the coffee, which proceeds to drip into the server below. In less than five minutes, you will have one to ten cups of coffee ready to enjoy.
It has a number of smart features including a cleaning indicator, automatic switch-off and manual drip stopper that prevents spills on the hotplate.
The Classic + achieves optimal water temperature (92-96 °C) quickly and is approved by the European Coffee Brewing Centre.
Our Kenyan coffee Muthingi-ini PB is a great option for the Wilfa classic+.
Muthingi-ini PB, Kenya £13.00
Muthingi-ini PB, Kenya £13.00
4. The Importance of Water
Don't overlook the significance of using high-quality water for brewing coffee. Tap water can contain minerals that affect the taste. Opt for filtered or bottled water to ensure the purest brewing experience. Remember, great beans deserve great water!
5. Experiment, Taste, and Enjoy!
Becoming a barista at home is all about exploring and experimenting. Adjust the grind, water-to-coffee ratio, and brewing time according to your specific preferences. Tweak the process until you find your perfect cup of coffee. Don't be afraid to venture beyond your comfort zone to discover new flavours and techniques – that's the beauty of the coffee world!
Becoming a barista at home is all about exploring and experimenting. Adjust the grind, water-to-coffee ratio, and brewing time according to your specific preferences. Tweak the process until you find your perfect cup of coffee. Don't be afraid to venture beyond your comfort zone to discover new flavours and techniques – that's the beauty of the coffee world!
Congratulations! You're now equipped with the knowledge to elevate your coffee game from ordinary to extraordinary. By selecting premium beans, understanding the various brewing methods, and fine-tuning your technique, you can enjoy a barista-style coffee experience right in the comfort of your home. So, go ahead, brew your favourite cup, and savour each sip like a true coffee aficionado.
We've matched up the best coffee subscription suggestions for each choice of brewing method. We can grind all and any of our beans to the consistency you need per brewing method, however when roasting we keep in mind the individual profiles of particular beans and their origins. We roast to highlight flavours and some naturally work better being used as a filter or an espresso.
Cheers to the perfect cuppa!