See tips on how to prepare the perfect coffee, know the ideal water point, powder measurements and learn the right way to strain.
Coffee is one of the favorite drinks not only on Brazilian tables, but in many parts of the world. No wonder it is the second most consumed drink on the planet! Warm, traditional, iced, with milk and many other existing versions of the drink made from coffee beans, they excite lovers everywhere. However, do you know how to make perfect coffee?
First of all, it is worth highlighting how much this drink is part of everyday life in Brazil. As proof of this, our country is the largest producer and exporter of coffee in the world, with enough crops to cover 2 million football fields. It’s grain everywhere! Lovers say so, as there are several types of extraction to suit all tastes.
Therefore, we will show you the ideal step-by-step guide to always prepare the perfect coffee, whether freshly brewed or using coffee makers. Take advantage and put the water to boil and make a delicious cup of coffee while you learn the details. Once this is done, remake the drink using the tips in this content, compare the flavor and notice the difference.
How to prepare water for coffee
Those who believe that the point of water is when it is boiling are mistaken. On the contrary, the water should not boil. At the most, when it starts to bubble (a sign that it has reached 100º, boiling point), turn it off immediately and wait for around thirty seconds for it to cool down.
Water at the boiling point can burn the powder and the loss of oxygen changes the acidity. So you don’t want to change the flavor, do you? Remember to prefer filtered or mineral water, to preserve the flavor and properties of the coffee.
How to choose and consume coffee powder
There are currently several coffee brands on the market. There are also coffee shops that extract coffee fresh for the customer and some use unique extraction techniques. However, the perfect choice of brand depends on each person’s taste.
As for the type of grind, whether coarse, medium or fine, there are some indications, as the choice influences filtration and the time the coffee is in contact with the water. Therefore, if you choose to use cloth or paper strainers, prefer medium or fine grind coffee and avoid coarse grinding.
How to strain coffee
Around the world, there are countless types of preparations, but here in Brazil the most common is the traditional filtering through a paper or cloth strainer. There are those who say that a good cup of coffee brewed (strained) on the spot has no equal!
It turns out that, speaking of flavor, the cloth strainer is the best choice. Paper strainers absorb essential oils from the powder, which can make a difference in taste. However, it is worth remembering that cloth strainers can accumulate impurities, so it is best to store them carefully and use nothing but running water for cleaning.
Coffee measurements
Coffee consumed in Brazil is generally stronger than that in Europe or the United States. So, the measurements change from region to region.
If you like strong coffee, just use 2 teaspoons for every 150ml. For those who like weaker coffee, one and a half spoons of coffee powder for every 150ml.
If you are going to make coffee for the whole family, use the following measure: 6 teaspoons of coffee powder for every 1L (one liter) of water.
For each liter of water, use 80 to 100 grams of coffee, which is equivalent to 5 or 6 tablespoons.
Sugar or sweetener? When to sweeten?
Although many families have the habit of adding sugar when preparing the water, the ideal is to only add sugar when the coffee is ready. When adding sugar before the coffee is finished, it can change the properties of the powder and the boiling point of the water. Therefore, sweeten as you prefer after the coffee is ready. However, it is recommended to drink coffee without any type of sweetener, aiming for a better flavor.
Preparation:
After knowing all the right steps to have a good coffee and preserve its taste, it’s time to get down to business. Simply heat the water as indicated above, and when it is ready (between 90º and 96º), pour it into the bottle (or whatever container you prefer) slowly using the strainer with the coffee powder inside.
At this stage, check whether the powder has been wetted by the hot water and use a spoon to stir the mixture. Also pay attention to the contact time of the water with the coffee depending on the type of grind. The fine grind requires a contact time of a maximum of 4 minutes, the average requires 4 to 6 minutes, while the coarse grind requires 6 to 9 minutes.
Preparation in an electric coffee maker
Typically, coffee shops come with their own measurements and usage rules. However, most coffee makers prepare up to 12 cups of coffee, but over time it can make the coffee bitter due to long contact with water. Therefore, prepare fewer cups at a time.
Extra tips
- To make the coffee last longer, store it in the refrigerator, in a closed, dark container, as contact with light can also damage the properties of the powder.
- Contact with air can deteriorate the powder, so only buy the amount you will use in a maximum of one month.
- The drink should be consumed within a maximum of one hour after preparation, to avoid surprises in the flavor.
- When sweetening, refined sugar interferes the least with the flavor.
Sources: Duduxo, Super Abril.
Images: Grão Gourmet, Pexels, Tianjin Plus, Villa Café, iStock, eCycle.
