BREW GUIDES
HELPFUL TIPS
We recommend using a variable temperature gooseneck kettle to make your coffee. It allows you to set specific water temperature and have more control over the water flow.
Another helpful gadget to brew coffee is a kitchen scale. Our favorites are this model from Hario and this one from Acaia. Both have built-in timers, which will help you achieve more consistent results.
Coffee always tastes best when it’s freshly ground. We recommend using this burr grinder from Breville. Check out our blog post on ground vs. whole bean here.
We always recommend using fresh coffee and the appropriate grind for your brewing method to avoid over- or under-extraction.
If the coffee tastes bitter, that’s usually a sign of over-extraction. Try a coarser grind or shorter brewing time.
If the coffee tastes weak, that may indicate under-extraction. Try a finer grind or longer brewing time.
Boiling water will burn the coffee and may cause bitterness or off-flavors. The perfect brewing temperature is between 200F-205F.
It’s important to maintain your brewing equipment clean by following the manufacturer’s cleaning procedures after every brew
Another helpful gadget to brew coffee is a kitchen scale. Our favorites are this model from Hario and this one from Acaia. Both have built-in timers, which will help you achieve more consistent results.
Coffee always tastes best when it’s freshly ground. We recommend using this burr grinder from Breville. Check out our blog post on ground vs. whole bean here.
We always recommend using fresh coffee and the appropriate grind for your brewing method to avoid over- or under-extraction.
If the coffee tastes bitter, that’s usually a sign of over-extraction. Try a coarser grind or shorter brewing time.
If the coffee tastes weak, that may indicate under-extraction. Try a finer grind or longer brewing time.
Boiling water will burn the coffee and may cause bitterness or off-flavors. The perfect brewing temperature is between 200F-205F.
It’s important to maintain your brewing equipment clean by following the manufacturer’s cleaning procedures after every brew
FRENCH PRESS
Level: Easy
Time: 5-10 minutes
Type of coffee:
Filtered Coffee
A traditional French Press does not use paper filter, which will result in more coffee oils coming through to the cup. This will brew the coffee with a stronger body and mouthfeel.
Instructions:
1. Heat the water: Heat the appropriate amount of water to 200 F-205 F or bring water to a boil and wait one minute after it boils to prepare the coffee.
2. Weigh coffee: A good rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 15 milliliters of water. For an 8oz (~240ml) cup of coffee, you would use 16g of dry coffee (about 2 tablespoons) and 240ml of water (about 1 cup of water). Experiment with the proportions to find the perfect one for your taste.
3. Grind the coffee: While the water heats, grind the coffee coarsely with consistency similar to sea salt.
4. Prepare equipment: Take the plunger out of the French press container.
5. Add the coffee: Add the coffee, and gently shake the French press to level the grounds.
6. Add the water: Start the timer and slowly add the whole water in a circular motion to ensure that the coffee is evenly saturated.
7. Steep and press: Position the plunger in the French press, but don’t press yet. Let the coffee steep for 4 min, and then start pressing the plunger down slowly, maintaining constant pressure until the plunger is all the way down.
8. Serve your coffee: After pressing, serve the coffee right away to avoid over-extraction. Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
1. Heat the water: Heat the appropriate amount of water to 200 F-205 F or bring water to a boil and wait one minute after it boils to prepare the coffee.
2. Weigh coffee: A good rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 15 milliliters of water. For an 8oz (~240ml) cup of coffee, you would use 16g of dry coffee (about 2 tablespoons) and 240ml of water (about 1 cup of water). Experiment with the proportions to find the perfect one for your taste.
3. Grind the coffee: While the water heats, grind the coffee coarsely with consistency similar to sea salt.
4. Prepare equipment: Take the plunger out of the French press container.
5. Add the coffee: Add the coffee, and gently shake the French press to level the grounds.
6. Add the water: Start the timer and slowly add the whole water in a circular motion to ensure that the coffee is evenly saturated.
7. Steep and press: Position the plunger in the French press, but don’t press yet. Let the coffee steep for 4 min, and then start pressing the plunger down slowly, maintaining constant pressure until the plunger is all the way down.
8. Serve your coffee: After pressing, serve the coffee right away to avoid over-extraction. Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
POUR OVER
Level: Medium
Time: 5-10 minutes
Type of coffee:
Filtered Coffee
If you prefer to filter out coffee oils for a “clean” cup with a medium body, the pour over method is the way to go.
What you’ll need:
1. Your pour over brewer of choice. Hereare a few of our favorites:
a. Kalita Wave
b. Hario V60
c. Chemex
2. Paper filter made for your brewer:
3. Kettle (We recommend using a gooseneck kettle for more precision when pouring the water)
4. Burr grinder
6. Timer
7. Mug / Carafe
8. Abra Coffee
Instructions:
1. Heat the water: Fill your gooseneck kettle with ~240ml of water and heat it to 200 F-205 F or bring water to a boil and wait one minute before using it to prepare the coffee.
2. Weigh coffee: A good rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 15 milliliters of water. For an 8oz (~240ml) cup of coffee, you would use 16g of dry coffee (about 2 tablespoons) and 240ml of water (about 1 cup of water). Experiment with the proportions to find the perfect one for your taste.
3. Wet paper filter: Insert a paper filter into your brewer and set it atop your mug (unless you’re using a Chemex). Pour water over the brewer to wet the filter. This will help remove any paper taste from the filter. Discard the water.
4. Grind and add the coffee: Grind your coffee and put it in the paper filter. Gently shake or tap on the filter to ensure an even level of ground coffee.
5. Prepare equipment: Turn on your scale and set the mug and brewer on the scale. Tare the scale to zero. The process (including bloom time) should take about 3 minutes.
6. Add the water: Start the timer. Pour double the coffee weight in water (for 16g of coffee, pour 32ml of water), and let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds before continuing. Gently continue pouring water in a circular motion, pausing when necessary to allow the coffee to flow through the filter until the scale shows the final weight. The goal is to maintain the water level within the filter at approximately the same level throughout the brewing process.
7. Serve your coffee: Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
1. Heat the water: Fill your gooseneck kettle with ~240ml of water and heat it to 200 F-205 F or bring water to a boil and wait one minute before using it to prepare the coffee.
2. Weigh coffee: A good rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 15 milliliters of water. For an 8oz (~240ml) cup of coffee, you would use 16g of dry coffee (about 2 tablespoons) and 240ml of water (about 1 cup of water). Experiment with the proportions to find the perfect one for your taste.
3. Wet paper filter: Insert a paper filter into your brewer and set it atop your mug (unless you’re using a Chemex). Pour water over the brewer to wet the filter. This will help remove any paper taste from the filter. Discard the water.
4. Grind and add the coffee: Grind your coffee and put it in the paper filter. Gently shake or tap on the filter to ensure an even level of ground coffee.
5. Prepare equipment: Turn on your scale and set the mug and brewer on the scale. Tare the scale to zero. The process (including bloom time) should take about 3 minutes.
6. Add the water: Start the timer. Pour double the coffee weight in water (for 16g of coffee, pour 32ml of water), and let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds before continuing. Gently continue pouring water in a circular motion, pausing when necessary to allow the coffee to flow through the filter until the scale shows the final weight. The goal is to maintain the water level within the filter at approximately the same level throughout the brewing process.
7. Serve your coffee: Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
MOKA POT
Level: Easy
Time: 10-15 minutes
Type of coffee:
Stovetop “espresso”
The moka pot brewing method is commonly referred to as stovetop “espresso”. While this doesn’t make true espresso, since moka pots only reach around 1-2 bars of pressure during extraction (vs. 9 bars for true espresso), it’s still a great option to make delicious coffee at home.
Instructions:
1. Add the water: Fill the bottom chamber of the moka pot with water. Important to make sure the water level is right below the valve that you’ll see on the inside of the chamber.
2. Add the coffee: Fill the funnel filter with ground coffee (espresso grind) and set on top of the water chamber.
3. Assemble the Moka Pot: Set the top chamber over the coffee filter and lock in place.
4. Brew the coffee: Set on medium heat, your coffee should be ready in about 10-12 minutes, or when there is no more coffee coming out.
5. Serve your coffee: Serve the coffee right away to avoid over-extraction. Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
1. Add the water: Fill the bottom chamber of the moka pot with water. Important to make sure the water level is right below the valve that you’ll see on the inside of the chamber.
2. Add the coffee: Fill the funnel filter with ground coffee (espresso grind) and set on top of the water chamber.
3. Assemble the Moka Pot: Set the top chamber over the coffee filter and lock in place.
4. Brew the coffee: Set on medium heat, your coffee should be ready in about 10-12 minutes, or when there is no more coffee coming out.
5. Serve your coffee: Serve the coffee right away to avoid over-extraction. Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
AEROPRESS
Level: Medium
Time: 5-10 minutes
Type of coffee:
Filtered coffee;
Stovetop “espresso”
It is a very versatile method that allows you to make filtered coffee using many different techniques. While this doesn’t make true espresso, since AeroPress only reaches around 1-2 bars of pressure during extraction (vs. 9 bars for true espresso), it’s still a great option to make delicious coffee at home.
Instructions:
1. Heat the water: Bring your 240ml of water (1 cup) to a boil then let it cool for about 1 minute.
2. Grind the beans: Measure out 1 full AeroPress scoops of coffee beans (16g or about 2 tablespoons) and grind until medium fine (it has the consistency of table salt or a little bit coarser than espresso grind).
3. Wet the filter: Drizzle a little warm water in to wet the filter.
4. Assemble the AeroPress: Place the wet paper filter inside the cap and place it on top of a mug.
5. Add the coffee: Place the funnel on top of the AeroPress cup and pour in the coffee. Remove the funnel.
6. Add the water: Pour the water until it comes up to the line 4 on the AeroPress.
7. Stir: Use the paddle stirrer (or a spoon) to stir.
8. Steep: Let the coffee steep for 1 min.
9. Press: Insert the plunger, and gently press it down until you hear a long hiss.
10. Serve your coffee: Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
1. Heat the water: Bring your 240ml of water (1 cup) to a boil then let it cool for about 1 minute.
2. Grind the beans: Measure out 1 full AeroPress scoops of coffee beans (16g or about 2 tablespoons) and grind until medium fine (it has the consistency of table salt or a little bit coarser than espresso grind).
3. Wet the filter: Drizzle a little warm water in to wet the filter.
4. Assemble the AeroPress: Place the wet paper filter inside the cap and place it on top of a mug.
5. Add the coffee: Place the funnel on top of the AeroPress cup and pour in the coffee. Remove the funnel.
6. Add the water: Pour the water until it comes up to the line 4 on the AeroPress.
7. Stir: Use the paddle stirrer (or a spoon) to stir.
8. Steep: Let the coffee steep for 1 min.
9. Press: Insert the plunger, and gently press it down until you hear a long hiss.
10. Serve your coffee: Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
PALMPRESS
Level: Easy
Time: 5-10 minutes
Type of coffee:
Filtered coffee
Palmpress is a small single serve brewing method that allows you to brew your coffee anywhere you go. It does not use a paper filter, which results in a stronger cup with plenty of coffee oils in it.
Instructions:
2. Grind the coffee: While the water heats, grind 16g of coffee (about 2 tablespoons) using a medium grind (consistency: coarser than espresso and finer than sea salt).
3. Add the coffee: Add the ground coffee up to the coffee line inside the Palmpress funnel. Gently shake the Palmpress to level the grounds.
4. Add the water: Start the timer and slowly add 32ml of water. Let the coffee bloom for 30 sec and then add the rest of water up to the line mark in a circular motion to ensure that the coffee is evenly saturated.
5. Steep: Let the coffee steep for 3 min.
6. Flip and press: Close the Palmpress with its filter cap and flip it. Start pressing it down slowly with a constant pressure until all the coffee is filtered.
7. Serve your coffee: Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
1. Heat the water: Bring your 240ml of water (1 cup) to a boil then let it cool for about 1 minute.
3. Add the coffee: Add the ground coffee up to the coffee line inside the Palmpress funnel. Gently shake the Palmpress to level the grounds.
4. Add the water: Start the timer and slowly add 32ml of water. Let the coffee bloom for 30 sec and then add the rest of water up to the line mark in a circular motion to ensure that the coffee is evenly saturated.
5. Steep: Let the coffee steep for 3 min.
6. Flip and press: Close the Palmpress with its filter cap and flip it. Start pressing it down slowly with a constant pressure until all the coffee is filtered.
7. Serve your coffee: Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
DRIP COFFEE MACHINE
Level: Easy
Time: 5 minutes
Type of coffee:
Filtered coffee
This is an easy and fast way of making great filtered coffee using a multi cup brewer. The Technivorm Moccamaster warms the water very quickly to the right temperature (200°F -205°F), and has a technology that automatically distributes the hot water over the ground coffee making a great cup of coffee.
Instructions:
1. Prepare equipment: Connect the Technivorm to electricity but don’t turn it on yet. Place the paper filter on the brew basket.
2. Add water and weigh coffee: Place the appropriate amount of water you want to brew on the water container. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 15 milliliters of water. As an example, for one 8oz (~240ml) cup of coffee, you would use 16g of dry coffee (about 2 tablespoons) and 240ml of water (about 1 cup of water). Experiment with the proportions to find the perfect one for your taste.
3. Grind coffee: Grind coffee medium fine (consistency: table salt or little bit coarser than espresso grind). If you grind too fine the brew basket may overflow and the coffee may taste bitter due to over-extraction. If you grind too coarse the brewing time will be very fast and the coffee may be flavorless due to under-extraction.
4. Add the coffee: Put the ground coffee on the brew basket, and gently shake it to level the grounds.
5. Brew coffee: Place the carafe on the appropriate position, and turn on the Technivorm to start brewing. Make sure the drip stop lever on the filter basket is up in the top Open position. If you want your coffee a little stronger you can let the drip stop lever half open for 30s to 1min before opening it fully.
6. Serve your coffee: Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
1. Prepare equipment: Connect the Technivorm to electricity but don’t turn it on yet. Place the paper filter on the brew basket.
2. Add water and weigh coffee: Place the appropriate amount of water you want to brew on the water container. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 15 milliliters of water. As an example, for one 8oz (~240ml) cup of coffee, you would use 16g of dry coffee (about 2 tablespoons) and 240ml of water (about 1 cup of water). Experiment with the proportions to find the perfect one for your taste.
3. Grind coffee: Grind coffee medium fine (consistency: table salt or little bit coarser than espresso grind). If you grind too fine the brew basket may overflow and the coffee may taste bitter due to over-extraction. If you grind too coarse the brewing time will be very fast and the coffee may be flavorless due to under-extraction.
4. Add the coffee: Put the ground coffee on the brew basket, and gently shake it to level the grounds.
5. Brew coffee: Place the carafe on the appropriate position, and turn on the Technivorm to start brewing. Make sure the drip stop lever on the filter basket is up in the top Open position. If you want your coffee a little stronger you can let the drip stop lever half open for 30s to 1min before opening it fully.
6. Serve your coffee: Enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
COLD BREW - MASON JAR
Level: Easy
Time: 5-10 minutes
Type of coffee:
Cold Brew
Cold brew is the perfect option for a refreshing, sweet, flavorful and smooth cup of coffee. It is also very easy to make at your house.
Instructions:
1. Weigh coffee and water: A good rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 4 milliliters of water. For a 20oz (~600ml) of concentrated cold brew coffee, you would use 150g of dry coffee and 600ml of water. Experiment with the proportions to find the perfect one for your taste.
2. Grind the coffee: Grind coffee the coarsest way possible.
3. Add coffee and water: Combine ground coffee and water in the mason jar, and mix them with a spoon making sure all the coffee ground is wet.
4. Steep: Let the coffee steep in the refrigerator for 36h. It can be 18h or 24h depending on your taste. The longer the coffee steeps in the water the more concentrated the cold brew will be.
5. Filter your cold brew: Use any paper filter of your preference to strain the coffee concentrate.
6. Serve your coffee: Serve your cold brew in a cup filled with ice. Feel free to add milk if you want. And enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
7. Storage: Keep your cold brew refrigerated for longer shelf life. If refrigerated, it can last up to two weeks.
1. Weigh coffee and water: A good rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee for every 4 milliliters of water. For a 20oz (~600ml) of concentrated cold brew coffee, you would use 150g of dry coffee and 600ml of water. Experiment with the proportions to find the perfect one for your taste.
2. Grind the coffee: Grind coffee the coarsest way possible.
3. Add coffee and water: Combine ground coffee and water in the mason jar, and mix them with a spoon making sure all the coffee ground is wet.
4. Steep: Let the coffee steep in the refrigerator for 36h. It can be 18h or 24h depending on your taste. The longer the coffee steeps in the water the more concentrated the cold brew will be.
5. Filter your cold brew: Use any paper filter of your preference to strain the coffee concentrate.
6. Serve your coffee: Serve your cold brew in a cup filled with ice. Feel free to add milk if you want. And enjoy your delicious cup of Abra Coffee.
7. Storage: Keep your cold brew refrigerated for longer shelf life. If refrigerated, it can last up to two weeks.