How to Make Better Coffee at Home: 10 Expert Tips for a Great Cup

I’ll admit that years ago, when I started drinking coffee – I made some really bad coffee. It was the kind of coffee that had flavors that needed to be hid with loads of cream and sugar. But coffee should be enjoyable on its own, not something you need to mask with additives. Luckily, over the past decades, the quality of my coffee has gradually transformed into something awesome. Through hours upon hours of experimentation, research, and a fair bit of obsession, I eventually learned what makes a truly great cup, and I have worked to perfect the art ever since.

Here’s a few of the best tips that I picked up along the way, that can improve the quality of your coffee too. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker looking to elevate your morning routine or someone who wants to dive deeper into the world of specialty coffee, these simple changes can dramatically transform your coffee experience.

Trust me—once you taste what properly prepared coffee can be, there’s no going back to the bitter, lifeless brew you may be used to.

Invest in Quality Beans

No amount of technique can make up for poor quality beans. Seek out specialty coffee from reputable roasters who source their beans ethically and roast them with care. Single-origin coffees can offer unique flavor profiles specific to their growing region, while well-crafted blends provide consistent, balanced flavors. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more – the difference in taste is worth it, and you’ll find yourself needing fewer additives to enjoy your cup.

Look For A Roasted On Date

Most coffee companies don’t put a roasted on date on their coffee. Sometimes they might put a best before date, but most of the time there’s no date at all. The problem with that is that coffee is like a fresh fruit. You’re going to get the best taste and flavors within first few weeks of it being roasted. After about a month, those vibrant flavors start to fade noticeably. Plus, a coffee roaster that put a roasted on date probably cares more about quality than just the bottom line. These roasters tend to be more transparent about their sourcing and roasting processes too.

Store Your Beans Properly

Coffee beans are susceptible to four main enemies: air, moisture, heat, and light. Keep your coffee in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Don’t store coffee in the refrigerator or freezer, as the beans can absorb moisture and odors. A good storage container with a one-way valve that allows CO2 to escape without letting oxygen in is ideal for maintaining freshness.

Buy A Coffee Grinder

If you’re buying pre-ground coffee, you are drinking stale coffee. The problem with pre-ground coffee is that coffee starts to go stale and lose it’s flavor within fifteen minutes of being ground. Even a cheap twenty dollar grinder with a simple blade is better than buying pre-ground. Although, I recommend getting a burr grinder, it’s more expensive but does a better grinding job. Burr grinders provide more consistent particle size which leads to more even extraction. For bonus points, remember to clean it out often.

Choose The Correct Grind

It’s time to put that grinder into action.

Coarse Grind – French Press
Medium Grind – Drip Coffee Maker
Fine Grind – Espresso Machines

Getting the grind size right affects extraction – too fine and your coffee might be bitter; too coarse and it could be weak and watery. Experiment with slightly different grinds to find the sweet spot for your brewing method. Only grind what you need for right then. If you grind more for later on, it’ll be stale by the time you finally use it.

Use The Right Amount Of Coffee

Two tablespoons per six ounce cup is the standard, but it’s okay to experiment with more or less to get the taste that you like. Weighing your coffee (rather than using volume measurements) can give you more consistency from cup to cup. Start with a 1:16 ratio of coffee to water (about 15 grams of coffee per 240ml of water) and adjust to your preference.

Use Better Water

Water is the largest ingredient in your coffee, so don’t think that it doesn’t affect the taste. If your water tastes bad, it will make your coffee taste bad. I recommend using a filter that fits on to your faucet or one of those water pitchers with a filter built into it. You will taste the difference. The ideal water for coffee brewing has the right mineral balance – not too hard and not too soft – and is free of chlorine and other chemicals that can interfere with coffee’s natural flavors.

Use A French Press

Drip coffee makers get the job done, quickly and efficiently, but there’s a whole other world of flavor out there that you can’t get with a drip coffee maker. I recommend replacing your drip coffee maker with a French Press. Not only does it use less counter space and electricity, but the result is more flavorful coffee. The mesh filter allows the natural oils from the coffee to pass through, giving you a richer, fuller-bodied cup with more complexity than typical drip coffee.

Clean Your Coffee Maker

When was the last time you cleaned your coffee maker? If you don’t know, or even if it’s been just a couple months. Clean it now. You’ll notice a difference. Mineral deposits, old coffee oils, and residue build up over time and can make your coffee taste bitter or stale. A monthly cleaning with vinegar or a specialized coffee maker cleaner can remove these contaminants and revitalize your machine.

Don’t Let Your Coffee Sit Around

Don’t let your coffee sit around in the coffee pot or the french press after you brew it. If you’re using a a drip coffeemaker with a heated plate, if you leave the coffee in pot for too long, it’ll cook the flavors right out of it and replace it with a not so awesome bitterness. Same thing goes for a French Press. After it’s done brewing, pour it into your might right away and store the extra coffee in a thermos or travel mug. Coffee is at its peak flavor within the first 30 minutes after brewing, so try to enjoy it while it’s fresh.

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