Clean Coffee Recipe

Grind beans

Measure 0.06 cups (about 10–12 g) of freshly roasted whole coffee beans. Grind to a medium-fine consistency (slightly finer than drip, similar to table salt) to extract clean, balanced flavors.

Bloom and brew

Bring 12 oz (≈355 ml) of filtered water to a temperature of 195–205°F (90–96°C). Place the ground coffee in your brew device (pour-over cone, AeroPress, or French press). Pour just enough hot water (about twice the weight of the grounds) to saturate and bloom the coffee for 30–45 seconds, then slowly pour the remaining hot water in a steady circular motion to complete the brew. Total brew time should be about 2.5–3.5 minutes for pour-over, or 2 minutes for AeroPress (with fast plunge).

Initial filtration

After brewing, immediately filter the brewed coffee through a fine paper filter or a double-layered cloth filter to remove fines and oils that can muddy the cup. This produces a cleaner mouthfeel and clearer flavor.

Rapid chill

Pour the freshly filtered hot coffee over a small bowl or glass with 1/2 cup of ice cubes to rapidly cool it. Rapid chilling locks in clarity and reduces extraction of bitter compounds. Stir gently once to mix and melt some ice.

Adjust and dilute

If the chilled coffee tastes overly intense from concentration or dilution from melted ice, add up to 2 oz cold filtered water to reach a balanced strength. Taste and, if desired, add a very small pinch (about 1/8 tsp) of fine salt to round bitterness — use sparingly to keep the cup 'clean'.

Final filter and serve

If any cloudiness or micro-grounds remain, pour the chilled coffee through a fresh fine paper filter into a serving glass to ensure maximum clarity. Serve over fresh ice or neat in a chilled glass. Enjoy immediately for the cleanest flavor profile.