Since most of us now have a lot of time at home for the foreseeable future, more people than ever are making their own cup of coffee at home. There is a seemingly endless variety of grinders, coffee makers, and filters on the market. So you might wonder how to brew coffee at home so that it tastes just the way you like it.

Although the Equiano Coffee Tasting Room is temporarily closed to adhere to social distancing guidelines, we are still here for your coffee needs. We are happily roasting and shipping beans and ground coffee to our customers, contact us on our Facebook page or through our website and let us know how we can serve you.

Until recent years, most Americans relied on something like a Mr. Coffee to make their Coffee at home. But now, it is common for homes to have espresso machines, pour-over brewers, and French press options, too.

With so many choices on hand, you may not know where to start. So let’s take a look at four tips to make the perfect cup of home-brewed coffee.

You will never enjoy a great cup of coffee at home if you start with inferior beans. So the first step in prepping your delicious beverage is making sure you have gourmet beans. Single-varietal beans from a small-batch roaster like Equiano can be a great starting point.

If you want to brew a top-notch cup of coffee at home, then you need to make sure your equipment is clean. Your grinders, filters, and carafes can hold onto old grounds or oils that will make your coffee taste rancid after a while. After each use, clean all of your coffee-making equipment so that it is ready for the next round. 

Most coffee lovers over-grind when they brew coffee at home. To get a consistent and correct grind each time, invest in a burr grinder. This style of grinder works the best to grind the beans uniformly.

Different brewing methods require various-sized grounds. In general, processes with long contact times between the water and grounds require a coarse grind. So it follows that methods with short contact times demand a fine grind. 

A simplified breakdown looks like this:

When you order ground coffee from Equiano Coffee, let us know what brewing method you use. We will grind your beans to the correct specifications for your perfect cup.

Water is an integral part of your coffee brewing success. Most purists choose to use filtered water when making their coffee. But if you have tap water that tastes and smells good, you can use that.

There are many supposedly perfect grounds-to-water ratios circulating among coffee enthusiasts. But really this part will come down to your preferences and tastes. We recommend starting with two tablespoons of coffee grounds for six ounces of water and then adjust as needed.

The last piece of the water puzzle is temperature. Again, there are different camps of thought in this area. The Specialty Coffee Association suggests a water temperature of 195-207 degrees Fahrenheit, but some prefer to go hotter or colder. 

Even during this challenging COVID-19 crisis, you can enjoy excellent Equiano Coffee and other local products at home. With creative plans and solutions, many businesses are banding together to get their products to you. Elegant Elephant Baking Co. has put together a “Rooted in Community” option, and Equiano is proud to be part of this movement.

And if you are out getting essentials at one of the local markets in the Eugene area, you can pick up your quarantine supply of Equiano. Red Barn Natural Grocery , Kiva Grocery , and Market of Choice on Franklin all carry the Equiano brand. And we’ve collaborated with local CSA, Moondog’s Farm , so you can get your coffee fix from them, as well.

Amid such trying times, Equiano is so proud to be part of this community. It’s an honor to bring joy through coffee to our friends, near and far. Reach out today to try a bag for yourself.