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How to brew drip coffee: Tips to avoid mistakes
Drip coffee is perfect for those who want to enjoy authentic coffee at home.
While the tools are simple and it's easy to get started, it can also be surprisingly complex, with uneven flavors and the aroma not being fully brought out.
This time, we will explain the basic steps for brewing delicious drip coffee and some tips to avoid common mistakes. Just knowing a few simple tips will make your daily cup of coffee much more delicious.
1. Tools needed for drip coffee
First, let me introduce the bare minimum tools you need.
- Dripper (for paper drip)
- Paper filter
- Coffee server or mug
- Coffee mill (if grinding from beans)
- scale
- Thermometer (useful to have)
-
Narrow-mouth drip kettle
Narrow-spout kettles in particular make it easier to control the amount and speed of the water poured, improving the stability of the drip. Choosing tools that are easy to use, even for beginners, is the first step to making delicious coffee.
2. How to choose and grind coffee beans
To make delicious drip coffee, the freshness of the beans and how well they are ground are very important . Ideally, you should choose beans that are fresh after roasting and grind them just before brewing.
The basic grind is "medium to medium-fine grind."
A good rule of thumb is to think of it as being slightly coarser than granulated sugar. If it's ground too coarsely, the flavor will be weak, and if it's ground too finely, it will have a bitter or unpleasant taste.
The recommended amount of beans per cup is approximately 10-12g per 140-160ml of hot water, but you can adjust this to suit your taste.
3. Controlling the temperature and amount of hot water
The temperature of the water also has a big impact on the taste. The recommended temperature is 92-96°C. If you use water immediately after boiling, it may be too hot and produce a strong bitter taste. After boiling, let the water sit for about 30 seconds before using, or check the temperature with a thermometer and adjust accordingly.
The amount of water you need is proportional to the amount of beans. For example, if you have 12g of beans, you should use about 180ml of water. Using a scale to measure accurately will help you achieve a consistent taste every time.
4. Inserting the paper filter and blanching
After placing the paper filter in the dripper, blanch it in boiling water before adding the coffee powder . This will remove the smell of the paper from the filter and also warm the dripper and server.
After blanching, be sure to discard the hot water in the dripper before adding the coffee grounds. After adding the grounds, gently shake the dripper to make the surface even so that the hot water can be distributed evenly.
5. Steaming is the key to the flavor
The "steaming" that takes place at the beginning of the extraction is an important step to bring out the flavor . Pour a small amount of hot water over the grounds so that they are completely moist, and wait about 30 seconds. During this time, the gases contained within the beans are released, allowing for an extraction with less impurities.
When you see the powder puffing up, it means it's steamed properly.
6. The way you pour the water affects the taste
Once the steaming is complete, pour in the hot water in several batches. The basic way to pour is to pour slowly and in a thin stream, drawing circles from the center outwards. Avoid pouring the hot water directly onto the walls of the filter, and make sure the water is distributed evenly over the grounds.
Be sure to pour as slowly and steadily as possible . The total extraction time should be around 2 minutes 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
7. Common mistakes and how to fix them
The water drains too quickly
→ The powder may be ground too coarsely or poured too quickly. Try grinding the powder a little finer and pouring the hot water more slowly.
Bitterness and unpleasant tastes become stronger
→ The water temperature may be too high or the extraction time may be too long. Adjust the water temperature and limit the extraction time to 2.5 to 3 minutes.
The taste is weak and unsatisfactory
→ The amount of beans may be too small or the extraction time may be too short. Increase the amount of beans or adjust the extraction time.
Summary: Find your favorite flavor
Drip coffee may look simple at first glance, but the taste is directly affected by small details such as how you pour it, the temperature, and how well you grind the coffee .
By keeping in mind the basic points introduced here, you will be able to reduce mistakes and enjoy authentic flavors at home.
At first, it's enough to follow the basic steps, but once you get used to it, try adjusting the amount of water and extraction time to find the flavor that suits you best. This will make your daily coffee time more fulfilling and enjoyable.
