How to Brew Perfect Coffee

You don’t need portion-controlled pods and digital touchscreens to make great coffee at home

By the Editors of Men’s Health

“Brewing a single cup with a cone filter is a simple, bulletproof technique that lets the flavor of the beans shine,” says 2010 World Barista Champion Michael Phillips of Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea. Follow his method.

The Beans
Coffee begins to lose flavor from the moment it’s roasted, so find the freshest beans you can, says Phillips. “If there’s no roast date on the bag, it may be because the roaster doesn’t want you to know it,” he says. Find a local roaster, or order online from an artisanal roaster (see below). Aficionados often prefer single-origin brews, but a blend offers a more consistent cup. By mixing beans from several regions, the roaster downplays off-flavors and boosts the best tastes from each bean.

Like coffee? You won’t like the extra calories in the world’s worst new beverage.

The Grind
Exposure to oxygen destroys the volatile oils that give coffee its flavor, so buy your beans whole and grind them yourself. But don’t use a spice grinder; it chops unevenly, yielding coffee that’s both over-and underextracted. Upgrade to a burr grinder, which pulverizes beans uniformly as they pass through the grinding elements. Models go for as low as $30, but for a truly solid burr grinder, Phillips recommends the Capresso Infinity ($90, capresso.com); it offers precise control over your grind. For the pour-over cone, a medium-fine grind–between flour and kosher salt–is ideal.

The Cup
The brightest, cleanest flavor comes from using a simple pour-over cone lined with a paper filter, says Phillips. A bonus: It’s easy to clean and takes up almost no counter space. He recommends the Japanese-made Hario V60 02 ($21, shop.hariousa.com).

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

katarzyna p.

5:38AM PST on Jan 22, 2013

nice article, not sure i agree with it all though! i much prefer the french press than a farty cone that i then have to dispose of, whilst the coffee rinds, i can throw in the compost bin, no problems! each to their own for taste. i prefer a deep blend, nutty in flavour. it's much better if you can support your local coffee shops, we have one in our town centre [in wrexham, wales, uk] and she sells beans of all varieties and at a good price

January 22
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Terry V.

3:44PM PDT on Oct 9, 2012

To each their own

October 9
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Dale O.

8:24AM PDT on Jul 31, 2012

Interesting and delightful. Most of the time at home I drink tea but on occasion will make coffee. Good tips. Remember my Mom making coffee in the old style percolator.

July 31
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Abbe A.

7:35PM PDT on Jul 8, 2012

thanks

July 8
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Chi W.

6:42PM PDT on Mar 11, 2012

Coffee is awesome

March 11
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Mandi R.

1:24PM PST on Nov 17, 2011

Good to know, thank you

November 17
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Lika S.

12:29AM PST on Nov 13, 2011

I've tried many a different coffees. Many of the fair trade coffees are really good, and aren't as expensive as what's listed.

I really liked the Tanzanian coffee beans. It's acidic, but very mellow at the same time.

November 13
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KARLOLINA G.

8:44AM PST on Nov 11, 2011

Thanks

November 11
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Penny A.

7:17PM PST on Nov 6, 2011

Thanks.

November 6
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Deborah L.

8:43PM PDT on Nov 1, 2011

Sounds like a bad commercial. I buy several bags of on sale, reasonably priced Organic whole bean, mix them up & grind my own . I also buy whole cinnamon sticks which I break up & add to the grind. Then just before brewing I add a little grated whole nutmeg. Talk about a killer cup o' joe!!!