Brewing coffee may seem simple, and so long as you're OK with a questionable cup it can be! But for the coffee enthusiast looking for the best there are plenty of pitfalls to avoid. We've got 5 common mistakes you might be making that you should avoid!
Mistake 1: Skipping the Scale
One of the easiest variables to control in the coffee brewing process is the ratio of coffee to water that you're using. It's easy to control this variable because all you have to do to make sure you're using the right amount of coffee is to add or remove it until you get the right number! But you can't do this if you're not using a scale.
Scales are useful for measuring more than your beans too - you can measure your water if you're brewing a pour over, press, or even drip brew. The best part? Getting a decent scale is actually pretty affordable, and you'll likely find additional uses for it around the kitchen.
Mistake 2: Forgoing Cleaning
Even the most devoted coffee enthusiast commits this crime from time to time. One of the best ways to ensure a tasty cup of coffee is to keep up with cleaning cycles, but why is that? You might think it's just because of the moisture being a danger for mold and mildew, and while that is something to keep in mind it actually has as much to do with the buildup of oils from your beans.
Coffee oil can cause equipment to function poorly, and can even ruin your gear if left long enough without a cleaning. The best solution? Check out the manual for your machine and grinder and follow the guidelines laid out by the manufacturer for cleaning and maintenance. If you need some fresh supplies we've got you covered!
Mistake 3: Bad Beans
Bad beans is a bit misleading. What we really mean here is selecting the wrong beans for you. If you're just learning to brew pour over then a fragile, floral light roast may not be the best choice, as these coffees can be tricky to work with. On the flip side, an extra oily dark roast is going to be a bad choice for your superautomatic espresso machine as the oil can clog up the grinder over time.
Unfortunately this is our hardest problem to solve so far, but it's also the most fun. The best way to ensure that you're using the best beans is to experiment! Looking for something bold and roasty? Try a dark roast in a press. Looking for something light? Maybe a lighter roast in a drip brewer will fit. Dialing in a new espresso machine? You can't go wrong with a nice medium blend. We recommend checking out our YouTube channel (and just using the search bar to find videos from all over the site) to learn more about roast levels, bean types, origins, and other coffee traits.
Mistake 4: Lacking Mindfulness
Brewing in a rush or without the proper setup can lead to a disappointing cup of coffee. Ultimately, brewing coffee is a ritual, and being mindful of the process will pay dividends in the final cup. Not looking for a meditative brewing experience? Maybe the mindfulness for you will be in picking out the right gear. If you don't enjoy the time spent brewing a pour over or pulling a shot from a hands-on espresso machine then maybe a superauto or drip brewer is a better option for you.
No matter what, it's important to enjoy the process of making your coffee if you want to get the most out of it.
Mistake 5: Chasing Perfection
It's easy to get wrapped up in tasting notes, complex equipment, and complicated recipes. Even if you're new to brewing coffee at home you might find that you quickly fall into some perfectionist tendencies. It's important to remember that while making coffee is a chemical process, perfection is hard to achieve. you're much better off learning to brew something you enjoy than trying to hit the perfect notes or flavor profile. We believe that enough to make it our motto!
For more thoughts on these mistakes you can check out the video below. Let us know what mistakes you're working on avoiding in the comments. Oh, and go make some coffee you love!