For many of us, the morning cup of coffee is engrained as part of our daily ritual. It’s our pick-me-up, warm hug and boost for the workday ahead. So, it’s essential that we get it right!
When Covid struck, many of our local coffee houses closed, or outdoor outings were limited, meaning we had to up our at-home coffee-making skills. Today, the need for barista-quality coffee at home remains, with 86% of Aussies who drink coffee saying they will make a coffee at home on a usual weekday.
Here are our insider tips on how to make coffee at home:
Choose The Right Coffee
Beans, Ground or Filter
Think about how you enjoy your coffee. Are you a morning zombie who stumbles your way to the kitchen half-asleep in search of your morning boost? Or is coffee a mid-morning opportunity to slow down, brew and sip over a good book? And not forgetting the all-day coffee drinker who needs caffeine within reach for morning meetings and afternoon pick-me-ups alike. There are options for every coffee connoisseur!
Coffee beans will make you feel like a barista if you want to create the ultimate coffee bar at-home experience. Buying whole beans ensures the freshest possible coffee in every cup as you make it on demand. If you’re a casual coffee drinker, you can store the beans (we always recommend them in an airtight container for ultimate freshness) and grind them when required.
If you need your morning coffee fast, ground espresso coffee is the way to go, as it’s ready to put straight in your portafilter or espresso machine. We grind our coffee in small batches to ensure freshness in every bag.
Filter coffee differs from espresso in the thickness of the grind, strength and brewing time. It’s brewed for longer over a lower temperature and at a ratio of 1:16 coffee to water (compared to espresso at an average of 1:2) to produce a subtle, silky, long drink.
Find Your Favourite Flavour Profile
Think of coffee like you would chocolate – some people like sweet, white chocolate, while others enjoy 90% dark cocoa. There are light to rich flavour profiles to discover in coffee. For example, Columbia is known for its chocolate, nutty taste and medium, silky body, whereas Ethiopia has sweet, fruity flavours offering a smooth, honey-like texture.
We’ve selected six coffees to celebrate this range of tasting notes, so you’ll find one for your palette. Choose from XXXXXXXXX . And don’t miss our house blend; it’s a signature blend of beans to produce a consistently delicious coffee. If you’ve tried our in-house coffee and loved it, pick up a bag to have the same experience at home.
Pick Your Equipment
The best at-home coffee machine depends on what coffee you plan to make. Start with the beans. If you’ve decided on whole beans, we recommend a hand grinder that fits in your kitchen cupboard. Make sure it has several grind settings for filter coffee (thicker) to fine espresso.
Frothy, milk-based coffees like cappuccino, latte or flat-white need both espresso and warm milk, so a countertop espresso machine with a milk-warming attachment could be your best option. Plus, it’ll give you the feeling of having a coffee bar at home! If space is limited, a portafilter and handheld milk frother will provide you with the same effect.
Where you make espresso coffee per cup, filter coffee gives you the choice of making a batch or individual serving. If you like a lot of coffee and need it ready to grab between meetings, a batch brewing system will keep a carafe of coffee at temperature all day long. Alternatively, a pourover cone makes one serve (or two) for you and a loved one.
To Milk Or Not To Milk
We know how varied coffee orders can be with the rise of plant-based milk. Whole cow’s milk has been tried and tested to produce a creamy cup of coffee. If you’d prefer a plant-based alternative, we recommend oat for its neutral flavour, temperature stability and creamy texture. Other popular options include almond, soy and coconut milk, though they can separate, so watch out when splashing it in your long black!
Your milk preference is your choice, so go with what you enjoy (and what’s in your fridge.)
Ready to make the best at-home coffee?
With many of us continuing to work from home, with these tips, you’ll master your favourite barista-made coffee order in the comfort of PJs and slippers. With our three House Blend, Single Origin Espresso and Single Origin Filter subscription services, save time and money with regular coffee delivered straight to your door.
And when you feel like mixing it up with a takeaway coffee, pop into Knights Cafe to say hello!