The humble drip coffee, with its everyday charm, is a go-to for many when they’re not in the mood for espresso. It’s gained a bit of a bad reputation thanks to restaurants and gas stations that never deep clean their machines, but it’s easy to make a really good cup yourself. Here’s everything you need to know about the brewing brilliance of a perfect cup of drip coffee.
Decoding Drip Coffee
Drip coffee, synonymous with convenience, is usually made using electric drip coffee makers, which are able to make large amounts with minimal effort.
This method involves hot water passing through a filter full of coffee grounds and dripping into the pot below, which is how it gets its name. The result is a seamless descent of brewed coffee into the awaiting pot below.
Crafting the Perfect Cup
Making drip coffee with a coffee maker isn’t exactly rocket science. It starts with a damp paper filter in the brew basket. According to Michelle Kawahara, the training manager at Lavazza, this helps get rid of any lingering paper taste.
Add approximately one tablespoon of coffee grounds per cup, activate the coffee maker, and voila! Unlike pressurized methods, drip coffee completely relies on gravity for its exquisite transformation.
The Grind Matters
The coarseness of the grounds is a big factor when it comes to brewing methods. For drip coffee, a slightly coarser grind is the key. The secret weapon? Freshly ground beans.
Kawahara emphasizes the impact of grinding on flavor, likening it to the oxidation process in apples. Freshly ground beans preserve flavors, offering a pronounced and vibrant profile. Storage is crucial too. Airtight containers in cool, dark environments make sure the coffee stays fresher for longer.