Wondering how to make good coffee at home without an expensive espresso machine? Good news: all you need is fresh specialty beans, the right coffee-to-water ratio and a little practice. In this coffee brewing guide we go through the four most popular methods – filter (V60), French press, AeroPress and the moka pot – with the key numbers and a step-by-step process for each.
Basic brewing rules that always apply
Whichever method you choose, three things decide the result more than anything else:
- Coffee-to-water ratio: as a starting point use roughly 60 g of coffee per 1 litre of water (i.e. 6 g per 100 ml)
- Water temperature: ideally 92–96 °C – not boiling, a moment after the kettle stops
- Freshness and grinding: grind right before brewing and choose the correct grind size
Fresh, good-quality water matters too – it makes up over 98 % of the drink. Avoid very hard or heavily chlorinated water.
How to brew filter coffee (V60 / pour over)
Filter coffee is clean and aromatic, letting fruity and floral notes shine. It is one of the most popular ways to brew specialty coffee at home.
- Grind size: medium-fine (like granulated sugar)
- Ratio: 15 g of coffee to 250 ml of water
- Temperature: 92–94 °C
Method: Rinse the filter with hot water (this removes any papery taste and preheats the vessel). Add the coffee and make a small well in the centre. First pour just a small amount of water (about twice the weight of the coffee) and let it "bloom" for 30–45 seconds – this releases carbon dioxide. Then pour the rest in slow circles. Total brew time works out to roughly 2:30–3:00 minutes.
How to brew coffee in a French press
The French press makes full-bodied coffee with minimal equipment. It is ideal for beginners who want to know how to brew good coffee without complicated gear.
- Grind size: coarse
- Ratio: 30 g of coffee to 500 ml of water
- Temperature: 93–96 °C
Method: Add the coffee, pour in the water and stir. Let it steep for 4 minutes. Then carefully skim the foam off the surface, press the plunger down slowly and pour the coffee out immediately into a cup or carafe – otherwise it keeps extracting and turns bitter.
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How to brew coffee in an AeroPress
The AeroPress is a fast, versatile method with a clean taste. It is great for travelling and forgives small mistakes, which makes it rewarding to experiment with.
- Grind size: medium-fine
- Ratio: 15 g of coffee to 220 ml of water
- Temperature: 85–92 °C
Method: Insert the filter, add the coffee, pour in the water and stir. After roughly 1:00–1:30 minutes fit the plunger and press slowly into your cup. Experiment with temperature and time – the AeroPress has countless recipes.
How to brew coffee in a moka pot
The moka pot makes strong, bold coffee close to espresso. It is a kitchen classic that needs no electricity.
- Grind size: fine (but not as fine as for espresso)
- Ratio: fill the basket with coffee level, without tamping
Method: Pour hot water into the bottom chamber, just below the valve. Fill the basket with coffee and level it off (do not tamp). Close the pot and place it on a moderate flame. Once the coffee starts bubbling up, lower the flame, and the moment the sound starts to sputter, take the pot off the heat. You can cool the base under cold water so the coffee does not turn bitter.
How to tune the taste to your liking
Treat the numbers above as a starting point. The flavour is easy to fine-tune:
- Coffee too bitter? Go coarser on the grind, lower the temperature or shorten the brew time.
- Coffee sour and "empty"? Try a finer grind, higher temperature or longer extraction.
- Weak and watery? Add more coffee or use less water.
With gradual tweaking you will land on a cup that matches your taste exactly. And the foundation of success? Freshly roasted, freshly ground specialty coffee.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio?
A proven starting ratio is roughly 60 g of coffee per 1 litre of water (6 g per 100 ml). Adjust it to taste from there.
How hot should the water be for coffee?
Ideally 92–96 °C, so shortly after boiling. Boiling water scorches the coffee and makes it bitter.
Which brewing method is easiest for beginners?
The French press. It needs no special technique – just pour, wait and decant.
