Making coffee is so much more than just pouring hot water over some ground coffee. It’s a precise science that involves choosing the right beans, understanding the machinery, and mastering the ratios. The result is a cup of coffee that delivers rich, nuanced flavours and the perfect pick-me-up. Let’s explore how coffee machines extract flavour from beans and the key elements of brewing the perfect cup.
Get the Best Beans to Suit Your Palate
The journey to a great cup of coffee starts with the beans. Coffee beans are sourced from various countries around the world, each offering unique flavour profiles influenced by their growing conditions. Some beans have fruity notes, and others have more chocolatey or nutty flavours.
Two types of beans will often be blended together to provide a more consistent quality and balance of flavours. This blending process ensures that each cup has the desired characteristics, regardless of seasonal variations in bean quality. Experimenting with different beans and blends can lead you to discover your favourite flavour profiles.
Machine Magic
The coffee machine plays a crucial role in extracting flavours from the beans. It’s the pressure created by the boiler inside the machine that allows coffee to be extracted in the manner many of us have grown to love. When hot water is forced through the coffee grounds at high pressure, it extracts the oils, flavours, and aromas, creating a rich and flavourful espresso.
This pressure is measured in bars; a standard espresso machine typically operates around 9 bars. The right amount of pressure is essential to ensure that the coffee is neither under-extracted nor over-extracted. Under-extracted coffee can taste sour and weak, while over-extracted coffee can be bitter and overpowering.
Getting the Right Ratios
Another critical aspect of brewing great coffee is getting the right ratios. This involves the correct amount of ground coffee to water, and if you’re inclined, also milk. The coffee-to-water ratio can significantly impact the flavour and strength of your coffee. For beginners using manual coffee machines, it’s essential to use timers and weigh quantities to get things right. A typical starting point is using 18 grams of coffee for a 36-gram shot of espresso, maintaining a 1:2 ratio.
Many automatic coffee machines, like the ones we sell at Pelican Rouge, take the guesswork out of this process. These machines are designed to deliver consistent results by automatically adjusting the coffee-to-water ratio and brewing time. This convenience allows you to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee without the need for precise measurements and timing.
Enjoy the Perfect Cup
Understanding the science behind brewing coffee enhances your appreciation of each cup. With the right beans, a well-maintained machine, and the correct ratios, you’ll brew coffee that delights the senses and satisfies your taste buds. Whether you’re investing in a workplace coffee machine or one for home, quality is everything!
Once you’ve mastered the beans, the machine, and the ratios, the final step is to pick your favourite mug, pour your coffee, and enjoy the experience of a perfect cup of coffee. Each cup brewed with care and precision is a testament to the science and art of coffee making – get ready to savour the flavours and appreciate the journey from bean to cup.
