Create barista-worthy coffee at home
How to create the perfect cup of coffee in quarantine
We’ve been separated from our beloved baristas for the last few weeks, and have been left to try and recreate the perfect flat white at home. However, it turns out that you can whip up a pretty awesome cup of Joe in your own kitchen.
Tom Vincent, co-founder of 200 Degrees coffee company, says, “While many of us are staying in during these uncertain times, it’s not impossible to enjoy the same great coffee – and a perfect brew always comes down to getting a few very simple things right.”
1 FRESH IS BEST
“The fresher the beans, the better your brew will taste,” says Tom. “Unlike most foods with a use-by date, coffee has a roast date to indicate the day when the beans were roasted. Coffee is at its best when consumed within a month of its roast date, as the window of freshness is typically between seven and 21 days from the stated date.”
2 GRIND JUST BEFORE YOU BREW
“Coffee begins to lose its flavour 30 minutes after being ground, so it is important to grind your beans just before brewing. If you can grind yourself, you’ll get the best flavours. Use an automatic grinder for best results, although a hand-held one is also an option.”
3 MEASURE YOUR COFFEE
“Making the best coffee at home is all about eliminating variables. The best way to do that is by measuring out how much coffee you are using per unit of water each time you brew. The general guideline – known as the ‘Golden Ratio’ – suggests 17g of coffee to 34g of water for espresso.”
4 FROTHING FOR PROS
“To create the best froth, the milk needs to have the correct level of protein, which will create micro bubbles or foam. Whole milk has a higher fat content, which will result in a creamier finish.”