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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
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By
Bryan Huynh
Key Takeaways
Learn some easy coffee recipes for beginners, such as:
Being a coffee lover means appreciating a wide array of different flavors and styles. However, buying a cup from a coffee shop can get expensive, particularly if you have to do it multiple times per day. One of the best ways to save money is to brew your own coffee at home. Fortunately, investing in the right ingredients and equipment can deliver that coffee shop experience without the exorbitant prices. Best of all, making different types of brews is a lot easier than you might think.
If you're ready to upgrade your coffee game, this recipe guide is for you. It will break down everything you need and how to make different types of coffee, from traditional drip brewing to a sweet and tasty cappuccino.
Although brewing coffee at home is relatively simple, you need various ingredients to get the best combination of flavors and aromas. Here's a breakdown of the different types of ingredients that can make your next cup really shine.
There are three primary types of coffee beans - light, medium, and dark roast. The roasting process is what turns a bitter coffee bean into a full-bodied flavor powerhouse. As a rule, light roast beans are more bitter because they're not cooked as long. By comparison, dark roast beans have an earthier taste, which can be a bit overwhelming for some drinkers.
If you're not sure where you fall on the spectrum, a medium roast is a great place to start. From there, you can determine whether you like your coffee fruitier and more bitter or bolder and more acidic.
At first, you may assume that water is water and that you don't have to worry about having the right kind for your coffee. However, since coffee is mostly water, you want something crisp, refreshing, and pure. That said, what matters most is the minerals inside your water.
Minerals are essential to make water taste good and to help your body absorb it into your system. However, too many minerals could interact with your coffee and ruin the flavor. As a rule, you want to use water that has relatively few minerals or dissolved solids in it.This way, you get a smoother flavor, and you don't have to worry about buildup inside your coffee machine.
Black coffee is something of an acquired taste, and many coffee lovers tend to avoid it whenever possible. However, sweeteners can overwhelm your drink and add unnecessary calories, so you have to find the right balance between tasty and unhealthy.
Some common examples of sweeteners include:
As a rule, the more processed your sweetener is, the more it impacts your body. Also, the sweeter your beverage, the more calories and carbs it has, which can add up quickly. For example, a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks has 380 calories and 50 grams of sugar.
Spices can help elevate your coffee (pumpkin spice, anyone?), and toppings can give it a fun appearance. For example, you can add foam to the top of your cappuccino and practice making shapes or designs with it. Whipped cream is another common topping, although it adds a lot of sugar to the equation.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and even chocolate shavings are all standard coffee toppings. They can add a little zest to the drinking experience without overwhelming the beverage. However, feel free to get as creative as you like when coming up with toppings and seasonings for these recipes.
Whether you like your coffee hot or cold, you need the right equipment to make it correctly. While it may be tempting to invest in a high-end coffee machine, we recommend starting with a basic appliance and perfecting your recipe first. Once you get the hang of making your own coffee (and commit to doing it regularly), it makes sense to buy something to make the process easier.
Here's a rundown of the different types of coffee equipment you can use to make the perfect cup.
This is the standard option for many home brewing enthusiasts. All you have to do is put coffee grounds into the top (with a filter) and let hot water flow through it. Drip coffee makers come in many shapes and styles, and some models are high-tech with customizable settings and options. You can also choose to grind your own beans first or use pre-made coffee grounds for added convenience.
Appliances like Keurig also fit into this category, although they only make a single cup at a time.
A French press is an excellent device for making individual cups of coffee. First, you mix the coffee grounds with hot water inside the press (with the filter all the way up). After they've steeped for a few minutes, you push the filter down to remove the coffee grounds and leave just the liquid. Then, you pour the coffee into your mug and enjoy.
Espresso is a concentrated shot of coffee that has an intense flavor and high caffeine content. To achieve the best results, you have to use an espresso machine. This device works by forcing hot water through a pressurized system before shooting it through a small puck of fine coffee grounds.
An AeroPress coffee maker uses elements of all three previous types. First, it works similarly to a drip coffee maker by forcing hot water through a filter to drip into a pot. Second, it uses pressure because you have to push the plunger down to extract the coffee, and doing so creates pressure inside the device.
Finally, AeroPress is similar to a French press in that you have to separate the coffee grounds from the water manually with a hand press. However, many drinkers prefer this method because it tends to extract more flavor from the beans.
With a pour-over system, you can use hot or cold water, and you let gravity do the work, not a machine. The setup is simple and easy to use, and you're in control over how much water you use and how you pour it.
A Moka Pot is a manual pot that creates pressurized steam. You heat the pot on the stove to create the steam, which passes through the coffee grounds to make your beverage. A Moka Pot is not the same as an espresso maker, but it's a step up from a regular drip coffee machine. The size of your pot determines how much coffee you can make at once, which is usually one or two cups.
Now that we've covered the basic elements of brewing your own coffee, let's look at some specific recipes. We've compiled a list of the easiest coffee recipes you can make at home. Once you've mastered these, you can move on to more complicated recipes that may require more ingredients or more steps to achieve perfect results.
This is the simplest way to brew coffee. You simply pick your beans, pick your coffee-making device, and pick your add-ons (i.e., cream and sugar). Before trying your hand at any other types of coffee, we recommend mastering this recipe first. Feel free to change different elements, such as the water, filter type, roast type, and even the brewing method. This way, you can determine which options you like best and move on from there.
In this case, you just have to follow the instructions of your coffee maker. For example, you may need to fill a water tank and wait for it to heat up before it will start dripping coffee. With an AeroPress, you have to follow specific instructions regarding how to set up the pot and when to press the plunger.
Again, feel free to experiment with different ingredients and brewing methods. If you're really serious about perfecting this recipe, you can keep a log book and record all of your adjustments for easy reference.
Cold brew coffee is different than iced coffee. Iced coffee is regular hot coffee that has cooled to room temperature and put on ice. Cold brew coffee is when you brew the grounds in cold water for at least 12 hours. This option is time-consuming, but if you put a batch of coffee in the fridge overnight, you should be able to enjoy a delicious cup in the morning (or in the afternoon when it's hotter).
Some people swear by cold brew, particularly during the warmer months of the year. The flavor profile is much bolder because the beans have steeped for so long. So, if you're not a fan of strong coffee, you may need to cut down on the taste with creamer or sweeteners.
The secret to cold brew is using the right ratio of coffee grounds to water and letting it steep for the right amount of time. A general rule to follow is a ratio of 1:4 (one cup of grounds to four cups of water) and steep for about 16 to 18 hours. You don't want to brew for much longer than 24 hours, as the results can be pretty acidic. Also, brewing for less than 12 hours results in bitter coffee.
All you have to do is mix the water with the coffee grounds in the container of your choice. Make sure to mix them well so all the grounds are wet and soaking. Cover the container and put it in the fridge for about 16 to 18 hours. Once it's brewed, strain the coffee with a regular filter or metal strainer into a serving pot. If you don't drink the coffee right away, it should last about a week.
Lattes are delicious, but they can be a bit tricky to make at home. You need the right equipment and ingredients to pull it off, but once you have everything, the process is pretty easy. Lattes are a mixture of 1/3 espresso, 2/3 steamed milk, and then foam on top. Because there's more milk than espresso, the flavor is much smoother and easier to drink. Plus, you can add spices and sweeteners to enhance your latte even further.
First, brew your espresso using whichever machine you like. Make sure to use espresso coffee grounds for the best results. Then, steam your milk in a pot on the stove or in the same espresso machine. Whole milk is the best for foaming, but it can also add a lot of calories. You can try nonfat or nut milk instead, but it can be trickier to make the foam.
Once the milk is ready, mix it with the espresso thoroughly. Save a little bit of milk to create foam with a whisk or milk frother. Then, gently pour the foam on top of the latte.
This recipe makes a single cup, although you can double or triple the recipe as you see fit. Some espresso makers allow you to brew multiple shots of coffee simultaneously, which is helpful if you want a stronger beverage or if you're making coffee for multiple people.
Finally, you can add your own sweeteners and spices to enhance the flavor of your brew. Mix these in when adding the milk to the espresso for the best results.
A cappuccino uses the same ingredients as a latte, but instead of 2/3 steamed milk, this beverage only uses 1/3. So, the total ratio is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foam. So, cappuccinos are a bit more intense than a latte but still much easier to drink than a straight espresso shot.
The process of brewing a cappuccino is the same as making a latte. However, you'll need to make more foam and use less steamed milk for the best results. Start by brewing the espresso, then heat the milk, then make the foam. Be sure to mix any other sweeteners or add-ons to the beverage before putting the foam on top. You can also dust some cinnamon or nutmeg on the foam to make it look more appealing.
Bulletproof coffee has been gaining popularity in recent years because of its unique blend of flavors and how it affects your body. Fans of bulletproof coffee say it helps them stay alert for longer and makes them less hungry. So, this option can work well for weight loss or to supercharge your morning routine with extra focus and energy.
While the results can vary from person to person, making this kind of coffee is relatively easy once you have all the ingredients. The only specialty equipment you need is a blender.
First, brew your coffee however you like (i.e., in a drip coffee maker or a French press). Let it cool down a little, then add it with the ghee and MCT oil into your blender. Mix well and then serve in a mug.
If the coffee is too hot, it could create a safety hazard when blending. If necessary, let the coffee cool to room temperature and then reheat the final beverage in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds to make it as hot as you like.
As you can see, making coffee at home doesn't have to be a complex or time-consuming experience. With the right tools and ingredients, you can make your favorite beverage as tasty and enjoyable as what you get at the coffee shop. Happy brewing!
Bryan Huynh
Product Tester & Writer
Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.
Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.
Edited by:
Bryan Huynh
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Product Tester & Writer
