Please Don't Overthink This

Here's a plain place to start, and your own mouth gets the final vote.

A common starting point is 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water, or about 2 level tablespoons per 6 oz, with water just off the boil. Adjust to taste from there.

Paper Filter

Pour-Over or Drip

  1. Set a paper filter in your brewer and rinse it with hot water.
  2. Add the coffee and level it out.
  3. Pour a little water to wet the grounds, wait a moment, then slowly pour the rest. Using a drip machine? Add the water and let it do the pouring.
  4. Pour yourself a cup.

Metal Filter

Metal Filter Brew

  1. Set the metal filter in your brewer and add the coffee.
  2. Pour a little water to wet the grounds, then wait a moment.
  3. Slowly pour the rest.
  4. Expect a little more body and maybe some fine sediment. The filter's just doing what metal filters do.

French Press

French Press

  1. Add the coffee to the press.
  2. Pour in water just off the boil and give it a stir.
  3. Put the lid on and steep for 4 minutes.
  4. Press slowly and pour it all out, so it doesn't keep brewing while you're not looking.

Whole Bean

Grind It Yourself

  1. Measure out only the beans you need.
  2. Grind right before you brew.
  3. Match the grind to the brewer: medium for paper, a little coarser for metal, coarse for French press.
  4. Follow the steps for your brewer.

Keep beans airtight and away from light. Skip the fridge, because your coffee doesn't need to taste like last night's leftovers.

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