How to Brew the Perfect Cup
Great beans deserve great brewing. Whether you are a pour over purist or a French press loyalist, these guides will help you get the most out of every cup.
Pour Over
Clean, bright, nuanced flavors
Gear
V60 or Chemex, gooseneck kettle
Ratio
1:16 coffee to water
Time
3-4 minutes
- 1
Boil water and let it cool to 200-205°F
- 2
Place filter in dripper and rinse with hot water
- 3
Add medium-fine grounds and bloom with 2x weight of water for 30 seconds
- 4
Pour in slow, concentric circles until you reach your target weight
- 5
Total brew time should be 3-4 minutes — adjust grind if faster or slower
Our pick: Try our Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for the brightest pour over experience.
French Press
Full-bodied, rich, bold
Gear
French press, coarse grinder
Ratio
1:15 coffee to water
Time
4 minutes steep
- 1
Boil water and let it cool to 200°F
- 2
Add coarsely ground coffee to the press
- 3
Pour all of the water in at once and stir gently
- 4
Place the lid on without pressing and steep for 4 minutes
- 5
Press the plunger slowly and serve immediately
Our pick: Our Sumatra Mandheling shines in a French press — earthy and full-bodied.
Cold Brew
Smooth, sweet, low acidity
Gear
Mason jar or cold brew maker
Ratio
1:8 concentrate
Time
12-24 hours
- 1
Grind coffee coarsely — like raw sugar
- 2
Combine grounds and cold or room-temperature water at a 1:8 ratio
- 3
Stir gently, cover, and refrigerate for 12-24 hours
- 4
Strain through a fine mesh filter or cheesecloth
- 5
Dilute concentrate with water or milk to taste — serve over ice
Our pick: Brazil Cerrado makes a silky, caramel-sweet cold brew concentrate.
AeroPress
Versatile, clean, concentrated
Gear
AeroPress, fine-medium grind
Ratio
1:12 coffee to water
Time
1-2 minutes
- 1
Place a filter in the cap and rinse with hot water
- 2
Add fine-medium grounds to the chamber
- 3
Pour water at 200°F and stir for 10 seconds
- 4
Insert the plunger and press down steadily for 20-30 seconds
- 5
Dilute with hot water for an Americano-style cup, or enjoy as-is
Our pick: Colombian Huila delivers sweet, nutty complexity in every AeroPress cup.
Espresso
Intense, creamy, layered
Gear
Espresso machine, fine grind
Ratio
1:2 coffee to water
Time
25-30 seconds
- 1
Grind beans fine — like table salt
- 2
Dose 18-20g into your portafilter and distribute evenly
- 3
Tamp with firm, level pressure
- 4
Lock in and start your shot — target 36-40g out in 25-30 seconds
- 5
Adjust grind finer if the shot runs too fast, coarser if too slow
Our pick: Guatemala Antigua brings a rich, cocoa-forward shot with a smoky finish.
Universal Brewing Tips
No matter your method, these fundamentals will improve every cup.
Use Fresh Beans
Coffee is best within 2-4 weeks of roasting. Check the roast date on every bag.
Grind Right Before
Pre-ground coffee goes stale fast. Invest in a burr grinder and grind fresh for each brew.
Filtered Water
Coffee is 98% water. Use filtered water free of chlorine for the cleanest flavor.
Weigh, Do Not Scoop
A kitchen scale ensures consistency. Scoops vary — grams do not.
Shop Beans for Your Brew
Find the perfect beans for your brewing method. Every bag is roasted in-house and ships with a roast date.