Brewing Guides

There are many ways to brew coffee, and each method brings out different characteristics from the beans. The key to consistently great coffee is controlling the variables, particularly your coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, water temperature and brewing time. 

What you'll need:

  • 15g ground coffee 
  • 250g water 
  • AeroPress 
  • Paper filter 
  • Scales 
  • Kettle 
  • Stirring stick 

Step 1: Place the paper filter into the AeroPress cap. Rinse the filter with hot water, then screw the cap onto the AeroPress chamber. Place the AeroPress securely on top of your mug. 

Step 2: Add 15g of ground coffee to the AeroPress. Slowly add 250g of boiled water, then gently agitate the coffee using the stirring stick. Allow the coffee to steep for 2–3 minutes. 

Step 3: Once the brewing time is complete, carefully insert the plunger into the AeroPress. Press down slowly and consistently until you feel the resistance increase and the coffee has been extracted. 

Step 4: Remove the AeroPress from your mug, give the coffee a gentle swirl and enjoy. 

What you'll need:

  • 16–18g ground coffee 
  • 250g water 
  • Cafetiere 
  • Scales 
  • Kettle 
  • Spoon 

Step 1: Place 16–18g of ground coffee into the base of the cafetiere and boil your kettle. 

Step 2: Place the cafetiere on your scales and slowly pour in the boiled water, weighing as you go. Pour onto one side of the cafetiere so that the water rolls through the coffee grounds, helping to fully saturate and agitate them. Once you reach 250g of water, stop pouring. Leave the plunger off while the coffee brews. 

Step 3: After 3–5 minutes, break the crust that has formed on the surface using a spoon. Gently stir the coffee and water together. 

Step 4: Allow the coffee to steep and settle for a further 2 minutes. Place the plunger on top of the cafetiere and slowly press it down, trapping the coffee grounds below the surface of the brewed coffee. 

Step 5: Pour and enjoy.

What you'll need:

  • 16–18g ground coffee 
  • 250g water 
  • Drip funnel 
  • Paper filter 
  • Scales 
  • Kettle 
  • Spoon or stirring stick 

Step 1: Weigh out 16–18g of ground coffee and set aside. Place the paper filter into the drip funnel and position it over your mug. 

Step 2: Boil the kettle and thoroughly rinse the paper filter with hot water. This removes any loose paper fibres and helps prevent the filter from imparting a papery taste to your coffee. It also preheats your brewing equipment and mug. Allow the water to drain completely, then discard it from your mug. 

Step 3: Place the pre-weighed coffee grounds into the filter. Place the drip funnel and mug onto your scales and set the scales to zero. 

Step 4: Slowly pour 50g of boiled water over the coffee, making sure to wet the entire surface of the grounds. Allow the coffee to bloom for 30–40 seconds. Once the bloom is complete, slowly pour a further 100g of water over the grounds, moving your pour across the entire surface. 

Step 5: Gently agitate the coffee grounds using the blunt end of a spoon or a stirring stick. Take care not to pierce the paper filter. Once the water has drained through, add the remaining 100g of water. Allow the coffee to drain completely until only a few occasional drips remain. 

Step 6: Remove the drip funnel, give the coffee a gentle swirl and enjoy. 

The Moka Pot produces a concentrated, espresso-style coffee. Unlike the other brewing methods in this guide, the coffee-to-water ratio is determined by the size of your Moka Pot. 

Step 1: Unscrew the Moka Pot and separate the individual parts. Fill the lower chamber with cold water up to just below the bottom of the safety valve. 

Step 2: Fill the filter basket with coffee grounds and gently level the surface with your finger. Do not compact or tamp the coffee. Water and steam need to be able to pass evenly through the coffee grounds. Place the basket into the lower chamber. 

Step 3: Screw the upper chamber securely into place and put the Moka Pot onto the stove over a medium heat. Leave the lid open so you can monitor the extraction. 

Step 4: As the coffee begins to flow into the upper chamber, watch and listen for signs of spluttering. This indicates that the extraction is coming to an end. 

Step 5: Turn off the heat and carefully remove the Moka Pot from the stove. 

Step 6: Pour and enjoy as a concentrated coffee or add hot water to create an Americano-style drink. 

Coffee-to-Water Ratio

The amount of coffee you use in relation to the amount of water has a significant impact on the strength and flavour of your brew. As a starting point, try: 

1:14 – 18g coffee to 250g water

1:15 – 17g coffee to 250g water

1:16 – 16g coffee to 250g water 

A stronger coffee will generally require a higher ratio of coffee to water, while a lower ratio will produce a lighter brew. Experiment with these ratios to find the balance that suits your taste. 

We recommend weighing both your coffee and water rather than relying on volume measurements. 

Consistency is key to getting the most from your beans, and the coffee-to-water ratio is just as important as achieving the correct brewing time. For each brewing method, begin by weighing out your ground coffee. Where possible, use scales to measure the water as you add it during the brewing process. 

Freshly Ground Coffee

Pre-ground coffee is convenient and saves time, but grinding your coffee just before brewing will give you the freshest and most flavourful cup. 

You don't need an expensive grinder to get started. A good-quality hand grinder can be an affordable option, while electric on-demand grinders offer greater speed and convenience. 

Coffee Storage Options
The simplest option is to keep your coffee in the original bag, provided it has a one-way valve, and secure it with a clip. How to store Gently press as much air as possible out of the bag. Fold the open end of the bag over at least twice. Secure the fold tightly with a clip. Repeat these steps each time you open the bag. The one-way valve allows carbon dioxide (CO2) released by the coffee to escape without allowing oxygen back into the bag. Pressing the air out before sealing helps to minimise the amount of oxygen surrounding the beans. Best for – Everyday use and beans that will be consumed relatively quickly.  

Coffee Bag with Valve

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Decanting your beans into a mason jar with an airtight lid can provide a good seal and prevent additional air from entering while the jar is closed. However, there are two things to consider: Light – Most mason jars are made from clear glass, allowing light to reach the beans. Store the jar in a cupboard or another dark place away from direct sunlight. Air exchange – Every time the jar is opened, fresh air enters and comes into contact with the beans. If you use your coffee quickly, this is unlikely to be a major concern. However, if you have several bags of coffee on the go or only use a certain bean at the weekends, another storage method may be more suitable. Best for – Coffee that is used regularly and relatively quickly.  

Airtight Mason Jar

For those looking to maximise the shelf life of their beans, specially designed coffee storage containers such as Airscape or Fellow Atmos offer an additional level of protection. These containers are designed to reduce the amount of air surrounding the beans. Airscape – Uses an inner plunger lid to push air out of the container and create a reduced- air environment around the coffee. Fellow Atmos – Uses a vacuum mechanism to remove air from the container, reducing the amount of oxygen surrounding the beans. These containers can be particularly useful if you buy multiple coffees, have beans that take longer to use, or want to preserve the freshness for as long as possible.  Remember Keep coffee cool, dry, dark and airtight. The less oxygen, heat, light and moisture your coffee is exposed to, the longer it will retain its freshness, aroma and flavour.  Air-tight container such as Airscape or Fellow Atmos  The third and final method is using a specially designed air-tight container. The two main brands on the market now are Airscape and Fellow Atmos. These work by actively removing the air stored in the container, the Airscape uses a plunger lid to press and remove most of the air in the container. Whereas the Fellow Atmos actively creates a vacuum removing most if not all the air in the container. This method is great for someone who is keen to keep the freshness of their beans for longer. This method keeps the beans fresh for up to 4 – 6 weeks.  

Specially Designed Airtight Container