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).
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.
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.
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.
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
Muthingi-ini PB, Kenya £13.00
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!