How to get a fantastic cup of coffee from a simple drip coffee maker.
Beans. Get them into the coffee maker as soon as you can after they’ve been roasted. This is the most important part of a good cup. Ask the person behind the counter at Starbucks about the “roast date”, go ahead, ask them… they wont know.
Find someone who does. I like Peet’s Coffee, or find a local roaster.
Look, if you want to wait in line next to someone talking to themselves for an over-baked-triple-shot in a paper cup stop reading now.
Still here? ;-)
Coffee Maker. I’ve had a few $400 ones. Forget it. Even a $19.99 Walgreens special will make a fine cup with the right beans.
Little things. Everything below all add $$ to the coffee maker but also add to the flavor.
Heat. Hotter water is better.
Cone filter. Water spends a little more time in the grounds.
Slower drip. Water spends a little more time in the grounds.
Gold filter. Another $20? Daily cleaning? I use paper.
Timer. Forget it. Keep beans sealed until just before you make a cup.
Filter. Mine has one built-in… many do nowadays. I replace em too
Water. Bottled or tap? If you like the taste use it.
Grinder. If you have the time, grind your beans right before brewing. Burr grinders are great but expensive. Don’t buy a cheep burr grinder - a good one runs around $100. I’m on my 2nd $20 Krups blade grinder in 20+ years… (it’s fine) (I haven’t used it for months though)
Mail order. We spend about $45 every 16 days on coffee from Peets
If I had to buy another coffee maker today I’d pick up a $70 Cuisinart from Costco or Peets
For ongoing coffee comments follow me on twitter: @DavesCoffeeCup
Happy slurping.
2 years ago • Notes