To Brew or not to Brew

As college students, most of us live off of coffee but do not have time to run to a coffee shop. Fear not Monmouth students, this is your introductory course on how to make the best cup of coffee.

The freshest beans available is a key first step. Local roasters are a great resource for fresh beans and often offer customizations to the grind of the bean and offer specialized flavor combinations. “A good coffee bean is one that has been roasted knowing what the coffee itself is capable of producing, in terms of a flavor profile,” said Elizabeth Wolf, owner of Country Morning Coffee in Kewanee, Illinois. “Knowing your beans is important. Beans that are from Africa are different from beans from Central America. They pick up nuances from the soil [and] natural environment.”

Wolf also recommended to try and use distilled or filtered water to avoid contaminants from tap water effecting the taste of the coffee and draws out the rich beans flavors of the beans.

The grind of the coffee bean also influences the taste of the coffee. A finer grind gives the coffee a stronger taste compared to a coarse grind. The strength of the coffee is also determined by the quantity of grinds: the more grinds used, the stronger the coffee.

Once your beans are roasted and your grind selected, it’s time to select a method for making the coffee. For pour-over coffee, the first step is to insert a coffee filter: “[The first thing you’ll want to do is] insert the coffee filter into the cone and push all of the edges into the corners of the cone,” said August Wolf, employee and graphics designer for Country Morning Coffee.

August Wolf recommends using one tablespoon of coffee for every 12 ounces of water and to have the water heated between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. Slowly pour the heated water over the coffee grounds, taking care to add the water in a circular motion.

The next method is using a coffee maker. August Wolf recommends using one tablespoon of coffee for every 16 ounces of water and a coarser grind of the coffee bean.

Finally, it’s time to customize your drink and enjoy. Syrups can be used to change the flavor of the coffee and to add the desired level of sweetness.

Now your best cup of coffee is one brew away.

Erin Henkel - News & Politics Editor