This is how you make really good coffee at home
Use freshly roasted whole beans, a good grinder, the right amount of coffee (about 6–7 g per deciliter of water) and a reliable brewer. Use fresh water, weigh the beans and grind as needed. It may sound like a lot – but it makes all the difference.
From plant to cup – what affects the taste of coffee?
The coffee comes from different plantations, which ultimately affects the taste in different ways. Even coffee from the same region can taste different depending on how it has been harvested and processed by the plantation. The whole process starts with pulping the fruits. This means separating the pulp from the fruit seeds, which are what we call coffee beans. The beans are then washed and dried until only about 12% moisture remains. The taste is affected by both how much you wash and how long the drying process takes.
It is then time for the coffee to be roasted. You have probably heard of light roast, medium roast and dark roast. There are a number of variables that affect the end result, such as time, temperature, air flow and rotation of the drum in the roaster.
What you do at home matters a lot.
After this, you have the coffee in your hand and the next variable that affects the end result is now you. Some common methods you can choose from are brewing, boiling or making an espresso. Furthermore, a little extra is described about the most common method in Sweden, namely brewing.
How to succeed
To get good results as a home brewer, we recommend buying whole beans and purchasing a proper grinder.
If you are a beginner, there is a grinder from Wilfa called Wscg-2 that we particularly recommend. This costs 600-700 SEK. This grinder grinds the coffee, which cheaper grinders do not always do, but these tend to break the beans which leads to uneven results. With Wilfa you simply get a more even result.
The importance of a good brewer
It is important to have a good coffee maker. Here we would recommend one of the Moccamaster models. These cost from 2000 SEK and up. That may seem like a lot for a coffee maker, but then we want to ask a question; How long has it been since you changed your coffee maker? If you have had a Moccamaster for 5 years, it has cost you 400 SEK a year.
Spend a few extra kroner on filters
A good filter is also important in this context and may be worth spending a few extra kronor on. Melitta has a series called Gourmet, here you can choose from variants such as Intense and Aroma. Dare to try and experiment to find what suits your personal preferences best!
Time to brew
When it's time to brew a few cups of coffee, we'd like to give you some guidance on the right amount of coffee. A common recommendation in the industry is to use 6–7 grams of coffee per deciliter of water.
For example: our brewer holds 5.3 deciliters of water at the four-cup mark. We then weigh out 32 grams of whole beans, grind them just before brewing, and pour them into the filter. That way, we get exactly the right dosage – and full control over the taste.
Remember that the grind size also matters. The finer the grind, the more surface area of the coffee comes into contact with the water, which affects the extraction. Feel free to experiment and adjust to taste – we recommend not just going by the grind time, but trying your luck.
These are some simple basics that can make a big difference in your cup of coffee. Hopefully it will give you both inspiration and an even better cup of coffee. Explore, test and enjoy – there is a whole world of flavors to discover!
Good luck with your cup!