How to brew coffee in a cup: step-by-step instructions
In a world where there are many coffee makers, various devices and accessories for brewing coffee, the simplest, fastest way is still popular – immersion. This method allows you to preserve all the aromas and flavors of the coffee bean if you follow a few important recommendations.
What you need to brew coffee in a cup
To properly brew coffee in a cup and get a rich body and flavor, you need to prepare a basic set of accessories and ingredients, namely:
- Fresh coffee beans, preferably medium roast. It gives the best balance between bitterness and acidity.
- A coffee grinder: manual or electric, which allows you to adjust the degree of grinding, because too fine or coarse grinding can spoil the aroma profile.
- Water: filtered or bottled, as it makes up 98% of the drink.
- A 150-300 ml cup with thick walls for better heat retention, which is critical for high-quality extraction.
- Timer to control the time. We usually brew coffee for 3-4 minutes.
- Spoon for delicate stirring and better flavor development.
This simple but well-thought-out set of tools will allow you to fully reveal the flavor palette of coffee in a cup even without a coffee maker or other devices and accessories.
Selecting the right grains for the immersion method
To get a rich, balanced profile, it is very important to choose the right coffee for brewing in a cup. First of all, you should pay attention to freshness. The best results are obtained from coffee beans that have been roasted no later than 2-4 weeks before consumption. The best choice for brewing coffee in a cup is a medium roast, as it preserves the rich aroma and allows you to reveal the natural flavor notes of the bean without excessive bitterness or acidity.
The type of beans also matters. Arabica is an ideal choice for those who appreciate a delicate, multifaceted bouquet with notes of fruit, berries, or flowers. If you prefer a richer, more intense creamy flavor, you can choose a blend with Robusta. Robusta also increases the caffeine content of the drink.
It is equally important to ensure proper storage of the beans. Store coffee in an airtight, opaque package or special container, away from sunlight, heat and moisture. This will help preserve the aroma, flavor, and freshness of the coffee for as long as possible.
Grinding degree for the immersion method
To brew coffee in a cup, a medium to slightly coarse grind, similar to sea salt, is best. This texture allows the water to penetrate the bean particles at an optimal rate, ensuring even extraction. This avoids both under-extraction, which results in wateriness, and over-extraction, which causes bitterness and unpleasant astringency.
Uniformity of grinding is particularly important: it ensures that all coffee particles are brewed at the same time, allowing the beverage to reveal the fullness of its aroma, richness of flavor and individual notes of a particular variety. This approach is ideal for the immersion method, in which the contact between water and coffee lasts longer than in filter methods.
Using high-quality grinds not only improves the flavor profile, but also makes the process more predictable and controlled, even at home.
The right proportions of ingredients
The recommended ratio of grinds to liquid is 60 grams of coffee to 1 liter of water, which is a widely recognized standard that helps to achieve a balanced flavor. A standard 200 ml cup requires approximately 12 grams of coffee grinds, which is equal to 4 teaspoons without the slide. This proportion ensures that the flavor and aroma of the beans are fully developed. It’s especially important to be accurate if you’re experimenting with different varieties or roasts. That’s why using a kitchen scale will become a good habit, as it allows you to control the number of grams of ground coffee. At the same time, you can also build on your own taste preferences: by slightly increasing or decreasing the amount of coffee, you can adjust the strength of the drink to suit your needs. The correct dosage is the key to a consistent result in every cup.
Choosing a cup
The ideal coffee mug should have thick walls that ensure even heat distribution and help keep the beverage at a consistent temperature for longer. The tall shape of the cup ensures a stable temperature, which is important for a proper extraction process. Avoid using cups that are too wide or too low, as they cool the liquid quickly, which can negatively affect the full flavor of the coffee. The ideal cup volume is between 150 and 300 ml. The material also matters: ceramic, porcelain, or thick glass retains temperature better than thin metal or plastic. Some coffee connoisseurs even recommend preheating the cup with hot water before brewing. This will help to avoid a sharp temperature drop and make the taste of the drink deeper and richer.
The role of water in the preparation of a coffee drink
Coffee can only be truly enjoyed when it is brewed with soft filtered or bottled water that is free of odors and impurities that can distort the flavor profile of the beverage. Water with a high chlorine content or hard minerals has a negative effect on extraction. The optimal brewing water temperature is 90-95°C, which allows for effective extraction of aromatic oils and flavors from ground coffee without excessive bitterness. Exceeding this temperature can lead to overheating of the drink, which can make the flavor harsh and unpleasant. Using a thermometer or a kettle with a water temperature sensor will help you achieve the perfect balance. It is also important to maintain a stable water temperature throughout the brewing process. This ensures even extraction and allows the coffee beans to reach their full potential.
Step-by-step instructions for making coffee in a cup
- Boil the water and let it cool to 90-95°C.
- Set the grinder to medium or medium coarse grind and grind the beans.
- Add ground coffee to the cup.
- Carefully pour the hot liquid into the container, moistening the grind evenly.
- Gently stir the coffee with a spoon to ensure even extraction.
- Let the drink brew for 3-4 minutes.
Drink your coffee slowly, savoring the drink and avoiding the sediment that forms at the bottom of the cup.
Factors affecting the quality of the finished beverage
One of the most important factors affecting the finished result is the brewing time: too short can lead to under-extraction, resulting in watery and weak coffee, while excessive brewing time causes bitterness.
Water temperature also plays a significant role, as too hot a liquid can add excessive bitterness to coffee, and too cold will not reveal its flavor profile. The optimal temperature is between 90-95°C.
The quality of the grain itself is equally important. The quality and freshness of the grain determines how much more expressive the flavor will be.
Finally, you shouldn’t forget about the cleanliness of the equipment, as the remnants of old coffee or scale in the cup or grinder can distort the flavor and give the drink off-flavors.
Additional recommendations
To perfect the process of brewing coffee in a cup, you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment. You can change the ratio of coffee beans to water, grind, and coffee type to find the right balance that suits your taste preferences.
