Coffee Recipe

Measure beans

Weigh 34 g (0.034 kg) of whole coffee beans for a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio yielding about 500 ml brewed coffee. If you prefer a stronger cup, increase to 40 g for a 1:12 ratio.

Grind beans

Grind the beans to the appropriate size for your brewing method: medium-coarse for a pour-over, medium for a drip machine, fine for an espresso machine. Aim to grind immediately before brewing to preserve aroma.

Heat water

Heat 500 ml of filtered water to 92–96°C (197–205°F). If you don't have a thermometer, bring to a boil and let sit 30 seconds.

Prepare filter and bloom (pour-over method)

If using a pour-over: place a paper filter in the dripper and rinse it with 100 ml hot water to remove paper flavor and preheat the dripper and carafe; discard rinse water. Add the ground coffee to the filter and level it. Start your timer and pour 60–70 ml of hot water evenly over the grounds to saturate them (bloom) and let it sit for 30–45 seconds to release CO2.

Continue pouring (pour-over)

After the bloom, pour the remaining water in slow, concentric circles or pulses, avoiding pouring directly on the filter. Aim to finish pouring by 2:30–3:00 minutes total brew time for this ratio. Allow water to drain fully.

Alternative: drip machine or immersion

If using an automatic drip: add grounds to the filter basket and start the machine with 500 ml water. If using French press: add grounds, pour all 500 ml hot water, stir to saturate, steep 4 minutes, then press slowly.

Espresso note

For espresso, use a fine grind and about 18–20 g of coffee yielding ~36–40 ml espresso in ~25–30 seconds with an espresso machine. The rest of these instructions assume a brewed coffee rather than espresso.

Preheat your cup by pouring 100 ml hot water into it, swishing, then discarding. This keeps the coffee hotter longer.

Pour the brewed coffee into the warmed cup.

If using milk: heat/steam 60 ml milk to about 60–65°C (140–149°F) and add to taste. For latte-style, use more milk; for a splash, use less.

Add sweetener if desired, starting with 1 tsp and adjusting to taste.

Stir gently and taste. Adjust with more milk or sweetener as preferred.

Enjoy immediately.

Discard used grounds and rinse equipment. If using a paper filter, compost the grounds if possible. Wipe and dry all equipment for next use.