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You’re probably brewing coffee at home, but when you go out to a cafe and order your favourite barista-drink, you can’t help but wonder why the coffee you make doesn’t taste the same.
In reality, you’re not doing anything wrong; it’s just time to try new beans and potentially a new brewing method.
If you’re thinking ‘sounds great, but where do I even start?’, don’t worry! We’ll walk you through all the steps you need to take to brew better coffee at home. A beginner’s guide to speciality coffee, if you will.
Did you just make the switch from supermarket coffee to speciality coffee?
When you first discover what speciality coffee is and why it is worth it, you get introduced to a million opinions about what coffee you should drink, what equipment to use and to invest your money in as a coffee beginner.
It’s great to have these many options, but it can be overwhelming, so we recommend sticking to the basics until you feel the need to become more adventurous.
It is very likely that you already know about Brazilian coffee and Colombian coffee, and you’ve definitely heard the term Italian coffee before.
So, why not start with one of the world’s most beloved origins/coffee styles?
Here’s a breakdown of each:
Colombian coffee is ideal for speciality coffee newcomers, known for its natural sweetness, smoothness, and balanced flavor with mild acidity and no bitterness.
Its versatility makes it enjoyable across all brewing methods.
Brazilian coffee is smooth, low in acidity, and naturally sweet with chocolate and nutty notes. It’s full-bodied and perfect for any brewing method, making it an easy, balanced choice for new specialty coffee drinkers.
Italian coffee is bold, rich, and full-bodied, often with deep chocolate and toasted nut flavors. Traditionally dark-roasted, it has low acidity and a smooth, slightly smoky finish, making it perfect for espresso and milk-based drinks.
The coffees mentioned before are so beloved because of their versatility when it comes to brewing, so any piece of brewing equipment you have at home should work fine!
However if you’re looking at trying a new one or just starting the whole brewing coffee at home experience from scar=tch, these would be our recommendations:
The Moka Pot:
A staple in every Italian’s home (and we know Italians take their coffee seriously) and beloved by many around the world. Some say it brews a cup of coffee that resembles a ‘homemade espresso’.
While the actual process of brewing an espresso vs a moka pot coffee is vastly different in terms of the pressure, we agree that the velvety mouthfeel could be a great substitute!
Pro Tip: If you have an induction hob, make sure to go for a stainless steel moka pot as aluminium ones don’t work
Here is a quick brewing guide for the moka pot:
The French Press:
The French press traces back to France in the early 1900s, but the modern design was patented in Italy in 1929. It became popular worldwide for its simple, manual brewing and bold, full-bodied coffee.
While it’s a great method for beginners, it’s still the go-to for many coffee connoisseurs.
Pro Tip: Make sure you grind the coffee coarsely, like sea salt or buy it pre-ground for cafetiere/French Press. If the grind is too fine you’ll have residues in your cup and it will taste ‘muddy’.
Here is a quick brewing guide for the French Press:
If you’re using fresh coffee beans you want to weigh about 18g and grind to a medium size. Same goes to pre-ground users, you want to use a coarse grind.
P.S. We’re always happy to help! If you need a recommendation or to learn more about our coffees, contact our team. We’re always just an email away!
Would you like a get an even better understanding of speciality coffee? Get your free copy of The Ultimate Brewing Guide below
