How you brew your coffee is highly personal, and depends on what sort of flavor profile you prefer in your coffee, how much time you like to take with your morning coffee preparation ritual, and how much money you want to spend on your coffee brewing equipment. There is no method that is “best” for every person under every circumstance. Each method, from automatic drip brewers to manual “pour-over” methods to French presses to stove top or electric espresso makers produces a very different flavor profile and varies in cost and ease of use. Here at GCR, we think that French presses or manual pour-overs make the best, most full-flavored brews, but there is nothing wrong with a standard automatic drip coffee maker either. We suggest that you experiment with some different brew methods and find the one that works for you! We carry a lot of different coffee makers in the shop, and our knowledgeable staff is always available to explain how they work, and the pros and cons of each one.

No matter what style of brewer you use, it is important to always start with pure, filtered water just off boiling, and use the correct amount of ground coffee to achieve a rich, fully saturated brew. A general “rule of thumb” is to start with 2 tablespoons of coffee (one standard coffee measure) per 6 oz of water, and then adjust from there until you achieve your ideal flavor profile. Some specialty equipment manufacturers have their own brewing guidelines – so be sure to check any instructions that come with your equipment as well.