Stella’s House Blend Recipe
A smooth and well-balanced medium roast, blended with hints of chocolate and caramel. Perfect for a cozy morning.
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Ingredients
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Coffee Blend (makes ~12 oz brewed coffee)
Optional Add-ins (for serving)
Equipment & Tools (not ingredients but required)
Method
Coffee Blend (brewing)
Measure
Weigh or measure 0.67 cups (about 12–13 g per tablespoon; total ~12–14 g) of medium roast whole bean coffee. This yields approximately one 12 oz cup at a standard 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio.
Grind
If using whole beans, grind to the appropriate consistency for your brew method: medium-coarse for pour-over (similar to sea salt), medium for drip, coarse for French press. Grind immediately before brewing for best freshness.
Heat water
Heat 12 oz (approximately 355 ml) of filtered water to 195–205°F (90–96°C). If you don't have a thermometer, bring to a boil and let rest 30 seconds.
Prepare brewer
Place filter in dripper (if using pour-over) and rinse with hot water to remove paper taste and preheat equipment. Discard rinse water. If using French press, preheat carafe with hot water and discard.
Bloom (pour-over & drip)
Place the ground coffee in the filter or brewer. Start by pouring a small amount of hot water (about twice the weight of the coffee; ~30–40 ml) to saturate grounds evenly. Let bloom for 30–45 seconds to allow CO2 to escape.
Brew
Continue pouring the remaining hot water in slow, steady spirals (for pour-over) or start the machine (for drip). Total brew time should be ~3–4 minutes for pour-over/drip, 4 minutes for French press (then plunge). Aim for even extraction to highlight chocolate and caramel notes.
Serve
Once brewed, swirl the carafe gently and pour the coffee into a warmed 12 oz mug. Taste the coffee plain first to appreciate the blend's chocolate and caramel notes.
Optional Add-ins (customize your cup)
If you prefer a creamier cup, steam or heat 2 tablespoons of milk and add to the brewed coffee. Stir gently.
Add 1 tsp sugar or simple syrup to sweeten, if desired. Stir until dissolved.
For a finishing touch, sprinkle cacao nibs or dark chocolate shavings on top and/or drizzle 1 tsp of caramel sauce over the cup to enhance the caramel notes.
Storage & Serving Notes
Store remaining whole beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light. Use within 2–3 weeks of opening for best flavor.
Brew freshly for each serving to preserve the smooth, balanced flavor profile.