Purchasing
To ensure freshness, purchase only what you will consume in one or two weeks.
Grinding
The correct grind is critical and here’s a little trick. Grind your coffee to match the type of brewing equipment you use. Coffee and water should be in contact for 4.5 to 5.5 minutes. Fine grind is harder for the water to pass through and has a longer brewing cycle which can cause a bitter taste. A grind which is too coarse will produce an under-extracted and watery brew. Purchase a home coffee grinder and experiment to your taste.
Storage
Keep your specialty coffee in an air tight container. Store in a cool dry cupboard. Never in the freezer. Coffee is a fruit and contains moisture. Pre-grinding, oxygen and freezing temperatures will cause freezer burn and reduce the flavour.
Water and Temperature
Use clean filtered water if possible. Remember that coffee is 98% water. Water should be 195F to 203F for proper extraction.
Ratio of Coffee to Water
One ounce of coffee for every 20 ounces of water.
Roastmaster’s Brewing Suggestions
The most economical and accurate method to brew coffee is using a home grinder with a French Press (plunger pot) and a kettle. With this equipment you can control each of the critical variables: Grind; Brew Cycle Time; Water Quality and Water Temperature.
