Coffee Brewing Guides
Master different brewing methods and learn which roast levels bring out the best in each technique.
Choose Your Brewing Method
Each method has its own strengths and ideal roast pairings
Pour Over
Clean, bright, and nuanced. The gold standard for showcasing light to medium roasts.
French Press
Full-bodied and rich. Immersion brewing that excels with medium to dark roasts.
Espresso
Concentrated and intense. Pressure brewing for bold, complex shots.
Cold Brew
Smooth, sweet, and refreshing. Low-acid coffee concentrate for any roast.
Drip Coffee
Consistent and convenient. The everyday method that works with most roasts.
Moka Pot
Stovetop espresso-style brewing. Intense and traditional Italian method.
Guide coming soon
Quick Brewing Tips
Universal principles that apply to any brewing method
Use Fresh Coffee
Coffee is best within 2-4 weeks of roasting. Check for a roast date on the bag rather than a "best by" date.
Grind Fresh
Ground coffee goes stale quickly. Invest in a burr grinder and grind just before brewing.
Use Good Water
Coffee is 98% water. Filtered water with some mineral content produces the best extraction.
Measure Consistently
Use a kitchen scale for consistent results. Standard ratio: 1g coffee to 15-17g water.
Control Temperature
195-205°F (90-96°C) is ideal. Too hot extracts bitterness, too cold tastes sour.
Time Your Brew
Extraction time affects flavor. Under-extracted is sour, over-extracted is bitter.
Method-Roast Pairing Chart
At-a-glance guide for matching brewing methods with roast levels
| Method | Light | Medium | Dark | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pour Over | Excellent | Good | Fair | Clean extraction highlights delicate flavors |
| French Press | Fair | Excellent | Good | Full immersion brings out body and oils |
| Espresso | Challenging | Good | Excellent | Pressure extraction needs soluble roasts |
| Cold Brew | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Long steep mellows bitterness, any roast works |
| Drip | Good | Excellent | Fair | Medium roasts developed for this method |
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you're new to brewing, start with drip or French press - they're forgiving and produce great results with minimal equipment.
Try French Press