The secret behind the perfect brew isn't knowledge that is exclusive to baristas. According to Allie Caran, head of coffee education at Toby’s Estate Coffee, "with a patience, adoration for the craft, and the right tools, anyone can craft artisanal espressos and cappuccinos normally found in high-end shops."
Caran, who teaches speciality coffee classes at Toby's Brooklyn location, knows a thing or two about home brewing. So, below, she's sharing her tips and product suggestions to help you make your morning cup(s) of Joe even better.
1. The Grinder
"First and foremost, you need to invest in a good grinder," explains Caran. "The size of the grounds will impact the overall flavor in your final cup. A burr grinder, or a manual one like Hario's Skerton, gives you complete control over your coffee's taste. If you're looking for something a little less hands-on, Baratza's Encore works like a dream."
Hario Skerton Ceramic Coffee Mill, $27.99, available at Amazon.
2. The Coffee
"You can't make great coffee with bad coffee beans," the barista told us. "The reality is that coffee has a lifespan; very rapidly from the moment it's roasted, it starts to lose immense amount of flavors and aromas. The easiest way to ensure top-notch beans is to use coffee within two weeks of the roast date."
Toby's Estate Coffee Prima Seasonal Blend, $13.95, available at Amazon.
3. The Scale
"A scale allows you to control your variables," says Caran. When you do finally brew that ultimate cup, you can do it over and over again.
Ozeri Touch Professional Digital Kitchen Scale, $19.95, available at Amazon.
4. The Timer
"If your coffee takes too long to brew (the average time is 3 minutes), that means your grind was too fine and the water can't pass through," explains Caran. "This results in a sour taste."
"If your brewing finishes too quickly, that means your coffee was too coarse and there was nothing that could hold water back and extract flavor," she continues. "The only sure way to know the accuracy of your grind is by keeping an eye on the clock."
Fox Run Retro Kitchen Timer with Magnet, $11.24, available at Amazon.
5. The Water Filter
"When you're not using great water — the primary ingredient in coffee — it can produce some pretty terrible tasting brews. A standard Brita filter will ensure you're using great-tasting water every time." We hope you're taking notes.
Brita 10-Cup Everyday Water Filter Pitcher, $22.24, available at Amazon.
6. The French Press
The standard French press process requires you to drink your coffee immediately; the longer the grounds steep after brewing is finished, the worse it will taste. But as Caran explains, there is a way to enjoy your French-pressed Joe even after a lengthy commute. "If you want to brew your coffee to-go, there's Impress," suggests Caran, "Its double-walled design creates an air gap, buffering the terrible taste of used coffee grounds from seeping into your drink."
Gamila Impress Silver Coffee Brewer, $33.61, available at Amazon.
7. The Espresso Machine
"If there's one splurge you should make, it's an espresso machine," Caran recommends to at-home brewers. "The biggest advantage to Breville is that it can make espressos and steam milk at the same time, with the same amount of pressure.
"This is the biggest issues for baristas since most machines require you to wait 10 minutes after you've made the shot before you can start on frothing milk." Using this model, that time-intensive process is a thing of the past.
8. The Thermos
If you're a commuter, you need a thermos that's not only functional, but doesn't add any unwanted tastes to your drink. "I'm a huge fan of JOCO," Caran told us. "They hold a cup of cappuccino perfectly, they're easy to wash, and they're stylish."
JOCO Glass Reusable Coffee Cup, $24.95, available at Amazon.
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