5 Tips For A Sensational Morning Brew At Home

That first fresh cup of coffee in the morning can mean all kinds of things. From the first sip, to the last ‘ahhh’, the difference between a great cup and an average cup can really set you up for the day.

Or maybe that’s just us putting too much emphasis on the whole thing.

Either way, you’re here because you love coffee and we’re pretty certain you want to make sure you’re getting the best out the beans you buy and how you brew them. So, we’re taking things back to basics a little bit with this one and offering you our best advice for creating that perfect at home brew.

5 Tips For A Sensational Morning Brew

Perhaps you’ve found yourself stuck in a bit of a morning rut. Maybe you’re so used to your usual routine and way of doing things - including how you brew your coffee - that you’ve ignored the fact it no longer hits the right spot.

Well, to help you shake things up and get back to peak satisfaction, we offer you the below top five tips:

1. Choose Better Coffee Beans

You can’t say you didn’t see this one coming.

Big, big, first step numero uno: make sure you’re selecting high quality beans. Find a roaster you trust and get to know their offerings (ahem, right here).

It’s easy to keep sticking to what you know, but why deprive yourself of the sensational home brew of your dreams? Especially if what you know isn’t doing it for you anymore. Take the time to get to know your aroma and taste preferences, and seek out the beans to match.

2. Store Those Beans Correctly

Once you’ve found the beans of your dreams, you’ll want to ensure you get the most out of them, and one of the core ways to do this is to make sure you’re storing them correctly.

Word got around that the best way to keep beans fresh is by storing them in the freezer - but don’t do this unless you use excellent, airtight packaging. Most roasters these days will be on board with helping keep the freshness going for as long as possible, and package your beans in an airtight, resealable bag but a few other rule of thumb to follow include:

-Store your beans in an airtight packet or container if they don’t come in one.

-Keep them in a cool, dark and dry location (Not the freezer).

-Keep them away from any appliances that might give off heat.

3. Consider the grind

If you’re buying your beans whole with the intention of grinding them at home (great for getting that top notch freshness) then you might also want to think about how you’re going about grinding them.

There are a lot of options when it comes to a coffee grinder, from electric to handheld. Each has different benefits and will offer different variations of coarseness, which if you didn’t know, has an impact on the in-cup experience. It’s worth exploring different grind coarseness and fineness to hone in on the right method for you.

Also keep in mind that how you grind your coffee needs to be matched to your brewing technique. Finer ground coffee is typically used for espresso and medium grinds are great for drip coffee machines. Coarse grinds tend to be reserved more for cold brew or a French press.

Paying attention to these details can make a big difference on your taste experience.

4. Switch Up Your Brewing Method

Another thing to think about if you’ve hit a bit of a stalemate with your morning coffee routine: your brewing method.

Depending how much time, enthusiasm and overall commitment you have to getting that truly great morning cup, you might want to try experimenting with a few different brew methods to find one or two that work just right for you.

Nowadays there are many different methods. From stovetop espresso makers such as the very popular Moka pot, to a single-serve worktop espresso machine, and the very nifty Aeropress, there are plenty of options out there that won’t break the bank.

You might also want to try a pour-over style or a French press. Each different method will create a slightly different, rich, flavour experience and make all the difference from getting your morning started with ‘Ahh!’ from a ‘Meh’.

5. Experiment A Little

There are many out there who like to claim that if you’ve got all of the above right, your coffee should have no need for anything else. Some diehard coffee fanatics will even tell you, you shouldn’t add milk to good coffee. Ever.

Look, we’re huge fans of a high quality espresso, but we’re also down for having a little fun with our favourite beverage. Especially on those bleary eyed, foggy mornings.