1) Coffee is 98% water!
Having filtered water is essential to a great cup of coffee. There are many ways to filter your water, from a filter pitcher to an at-home RO system. The critical part here is to try and avoid hard tap water.
2) Coffee to water ratio
The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) suggests a 1:18 coffee to water mass ratio. Here at SQ1, we enjoy anywhere between 1:16 - 1:18, depending on the coffee. Whether you plan to stick with the gold standard or play around with different proportions based on taste, you'll want to keep all your measurements the same for easy conversions and repeatability.
3) Grind to Brew
From the moment coffee is ground, essential flavors are lost to oxidation, so it is important to grind coffee fresh for immediate consumption. This will best highlight what the coffee has to offer.
4) Understanding coffees lifespan
After roasting, it is ideal for letting the coffee sit for approximately 3-7 days to degas. Whole coffee beans hold their peak freshness for about 2-3 weeks after being roasted. Coffee should be stored in an airtight sealed container.
5) Key Home Brewing Equipment Recommendations:
A scale and home grinder are critical pieces to ensure accurate measurements and freshly ground coffee.
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