How to make coffee

From beans to cup this instructable will show you the whole process right the way through...

Step 1: Getting your beans.

You can get your pre-roasted beans from loads of places, many coffee shops, starbucks and clements included, along with your local supermarket.

Reading the packet/can should help you choose though phrases like 'rich aroma' and 'subtle blends' are a given, look for the kind of coffee you like/want, remember if ytou want you can get flavour infused beans aswell, though if they are much more expensive than the same without the flavour consider infusing them at home.

Comments

[mikebook]

My moka pot hasn't had any issues with pressure, but the coffee is extremely bitter. I thought the point of espresso was that it was made so quickly it didn't have time to get bitter. Nothing like any of the espressos I've gotten in cafés here in Europe. I think my grind might be too coarse, but coming from the U.S., I haven't seen espresso grind up close before, and I'm not sure. Any ideas?

[furlow]

Grind size is key to this maker, you should have it finer than press pot coarse, but not as fine as espresso coffee. As others have said, don't pack it down, this is normally the cause of spluttering and the safety valve going and you end up with no coffee.

[furlow]

I guess it depends on the coarsness of your grind, but I would never brew a press pot for that long, normally its about 3-4mins maybe 5 maximum. Anymore and it will probably taste quite bitter. Also most say that you should use water just off the boil to prevent any unwanted bitterness.

[ifredsayred]

The only thing I'd add to this excellent instructable has to do with the French press method. I've found that after pouring the water, take a spoon and give it a good stir before placing the plunger top back on. That way the coffee grounds mix in completely with water instead of having some grounds sit on top. Very nicely done!

[brevetto]

I second that. Stirring the grounds with the hot water releases the carbon gasses expelled from the beans and aerates the coffee for a fuller richer taste.

[The Locksmith]

Oooo I'll try that! I use a French Press, and in my opinion, it's the best way to make coffee.

[foxli]

Thanks for sharing this--I recently acquired a french press that has no instructions. With your help, I made such a good cup of joe I'm giving away my old Mr Coffee!

[fancypenguin845]

mabey theres something wrong w/ me i use a heaping tablespoon per cup }:]

[foxli]

Haha. Try two. That's what I do for my morning brew. ;) Puts a little pep in my step. Just a little.

[killerjackalope]

Table spoon and dessert spoon are the same thing methinks, tea spoons the little one but looking at my table and dessert spoons I see nothing to differentiate other than what they got stamped on in the factory...

[fancypenguin845]

durn it im not as hardcore as i thought B/ haha

[vumbaka]

You MUST NOT pack the cofee tightly,or teh hot water can't run well into the coffee,resulting in a disgusting quality of beverage.

(I'm italian,I know hot to make a GOOD coffee...)

[seamaas]

most stove top espresso maker's have a release valve on the side it is that brass thing at the top of #1

[killerjackalope]

They do but if you get it wrong they'll still blast the grounds over the kitchen, it just stops the boiled piece from exploding under pressure though...

[seamaas]

that is true

[roobs]

wait, where does the coffee go??

[thartaros]

right on number 3

[seamaas]

No it's on #2 which is the basket

[creasemaker]

I just ran across you Instructable, and thought I'd show you the espresso maker I found at a surplus store 25 years ago.It came with "NO" instructions, and the people in the store did even know what it was. It came from Italy( has "made in Italy " on it) and has the name "La Sorentina" on it.
the first I tried to use it ,with help from my know it all brother inlaw, I shot coffee every were, because removed part that held the coffee while it was still under pressure. after some research several years latter I got it to work and saw it in a book as an "atomic  style"  and it still makes a great cup.

[kitschykat]

Is it one spoonful of ground coffeevper 6 oz., 8 oz. or 10 oz. cup?

[arhodes18]

you don't have the siphon/vacuum maker...

[Bartboy]

Drip coffee?.....

[killerjackalope]

Done and added...

[Bartboy]

I is happy.
:D
Knex has made it into another featured ible!
Victory at last!

^{you have no idea how >:( I'd be if it became un-featured..... lol}

[killerjackalope]

Well it's actually a good example of a drip coffee maker, though if I ever do find myself making coffee the drip method I'll make it right it to the cup more often than not...

[killerjackalope]

Bugger I'm sorry, never got round to it before I got kicked out... Will fix now...

[highoncatnip]

marijuana is not physically addictive

[killerjackalope]

Eh what? I didn't mention weed? The spammer below, if you want to reply to him, it's the bottom right corner of his comment, that reply button...

[DougHardy]

Another thing to help prevent explosive coffee syndrome is to put your moka on LOW heat, as the instructions state. Combined with the loose packing of coffee, this is all you need. It's really a wonderful espresso maker. :)

[markie161]

The key to your exploding coffeepot syndrome is where you say that the water, “expands enough to be forced through the packed in coffee...” Do NOT pack the coffee into this coffeepot or it can build up too much presser and burst. Just fill the holder and level it off, I've used these for years and never had any bursting issues.

[killerjackalope]

It also has a pressure realease valve, which failed to activate, not actually sure why it burst like it did...

[merseyless]

The Italian's are upset, and they are coming...

[Paul55]

Caffeine AddictionCaffeine Addiction - Caffeine Effects and Withdrawal part I

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Caffeine addiction is one of the most famous types of addictions in the world, just like cocaine and marihuana. Caffeine addiction sometimes has been considered a lie, but it is a really, because caffeine is a stimulant that becomes addictive within a certain period of time. Interestingly, caffeine addiction shows up when you are not expecting it, and it does not necessarily show up because we want to

Pure caffeine is, chemically speaking, a plant-based alkaloid that stimulates the central nervous system in any living creature that intakes it. Biologically, caffeine serves as a form of pest control for certain plants like cacao trees, coffee shrubs, yuba mate and tea trees; it causes insects and other pests to fall down from the effects of over-stimulation. So, just like those pests and insects that I mentioned, caffeine also produces stimulation in our central nervous system, which usually makes us feel more energized, invigorating and active.

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You can find more info at: http://yourcaffeineaddiction.com/http://yourcaffeineaddiction.com/

[killerjackalope]

No spam please.

[fancypenguin845]

now i drink like three cups of coffee a day

[fancypenguin845]

i was first introduced to my caffine addiction (it runs in the family :) ) when i had a BFC monster before a school dance. i swear people thought i was on crack. i dont actually enjoy the dances, i just go so i can double back after my mom drops me off and buy a ton of energy drinks

[whatsisface]

I had 3 coffees and a red bull in the space of two hours today. I was speaking really fast apparently.

[killerjackalope]

I remember the only time I've truly been hit by a monster caffeine rush was when I had seven hammerheads back to back while meeting with someone (hammerhead - two shots espresso, filter coffee to top up to a big mug) it was stressful conversation so it was a case of coffee at all times and several cigarettes, the girls at the shop were talking to me after and gave me a fully stamped loyalty card because it was so funny for them... So next week in for my free one and I end up missing a thing I was supposed to go to because they started chatting to me...

[Bartboy]

When I went to the dominican repulic when I was 9, I sat in a bar drinking ( virgin : ( ) margaritas and espressos almost all day ; 0

[Rishnai]

So it's hammerheads that I love drinking... I always wondered what the term actually was.

[killerjackalope]

They're nice aren't they?

[Rishnai]

Very. Funny thing is, I tend to use them when I can't sleep: chug a couple, wait about an hour, easily fall asleep until morning. Space 'em out a bit, and you can be up all night. How versatile.

[killerjackalope]

I know, they're a great drink to have at any time... They're also good poured over crushed ice (had one gone cold and didn't want waste so I threw in some caramel coffee syrup and poured...)

[whatsisface]

I had about 3 hours in a local coffee shop once with a friend drinking espressos. We got through loads of them, so much that the staff gave us free drinks till we left.

[killerjackalope]

I love that kind of thing... It makes you feel so good that you're ending up with your money's worth...

[Bartboy]

This is still incomplete! You need to show how to do it with a filer and funnel in a coffee pot! How did this win?

[mguer133]

BTW just to make things clear, we (I'm French) do not use press to make coffee we mainly use filter cofee at home and espresso coffee in bar and restaurants... I do not even know where the so called French press comes from...

[killerjackalope]

I know, it's a name a lot of people know it by but I never understood that connection...

[Earthy Eric]

Very nice Instructable. I'm thinking about buying a milk frother for making espresso drinks, have you ever used one or have any sugestions on what kind I should buy?

[killerjackalope]

I like the Kenwood retro (pictured) as long as it works reliably I haven't too much difference between them but I suppose that's because they're not complicated devices at the end of the day. Look for a coffee maker with a frother already on it, the little separate ones are a lot of money for something that cost so little extra to find on a coffee machine.

[187Penguin]

I have both the same French press and the stovetop cafetiere you show here.... Got both at Ross for about 11 bucks. Add in some of that yummy TraderJoe's coffee, and some playing around to get your method right, and you've got coffee that in my opinion rivals any popular chain for about 25 or 30 cents a cup!

[killerjackalope]

It's probably similar but I doubt you have the same stove top cafetiere, that one's really old, they all look the same though... I really like making my own coffee, a lot of chain coffee is dross, it's just brown and water with a hint of coffee like flavours about it...

[JellyWoo]

lol, YUCK!

[adome]

Straight up OG!

[Bartboy]

Use a funnel and a filter, you skipped the simple way, the old fashioned way

[killerjackalope]

My bad...

[tlaidlaw]

You know, if the grind is finer than coarse, but not necessarily espresso grind, you can just put the coffee straight into the mug (or pot), add water, stir and then wait for the coffee to settle. When it gets soaked, it sinks - it'll be done, so add milk if you want, and drink. Makes an "earthier" coffee, almost like a Turkish/Greek style, but nice in its way. Good for camping etc.

[killerjackalope]

I just left the simpler stuff out to an extent, to keep it short and sweet, instant excused I decided that'd be amusing...

[Rishnai]

There was a time when I was taking a hellish courseload and got in the habit of having six cups at lunch every day. I managed to break that habit, but god did the withdrawls suck. My other favorite caffiene mistake was when I left school, went to the coffee shop and had a cup, two shots of espresso, and most of a four-pack of Red Bull. I figured I was okay, when I realized I had to get back to school in the next 15 minutes. It was a little over a mile uphill, and being as hopped up as I has, I panicked and decided to sprint. Bad plan. I collapsed about three blocks later with my heart feeling like it was about to explode. Needless to say, I got back late...

[correaaaaaaa]

Those coffee pots are called moka pots usually, and they're from Italy =)

[ChrysN]

How does each method of making coffee compare in taste, which one tastes best?

[killerjackalope]

Well the stovetop cafetiere makes a really strong rich cup of coffee with a bit of roastyness about it... The machine will make a good cup of coffee every time round and a well made cafetiere is probably the cheapest way to get a good cup of coffee, it just takes long to brew...

[killerjackalope]

That should be longer to brew not long...

[ChrysN]

Thanks, I say one in a store the other day and was wondering how it worked and how good the coffee turned out.

[killerjackalope]

Well I just had myself a couple of mugs from one and i'm happy, what I would say is that you should add a bit more grounds than it says on the box per cup because they tend to be a little shy on estimates, maybe it's because americans are affectionate of weak coffee... Though a cafetiere is also a good base for experiments with coffee since there's not much to go wrong...

[darus67]

You missed cold brewed coffee. You pour cold water over ground coffee in a glass container and leave it in the fridge overnight. Next morning you filter it and Bob's your uncle. I mix the resulting brew about 2 to 1 with milk then add sugar to taste, for a nice iced coffee beverage. You could also nuke it in the microwave if you like it hot. After a recent mishap involving a french press, several cups of nearly boiling water, and second degree burns, I'm keen on cold brewing. (Worst of all, I broke my favorite french press)

[killerjackalope]

Aye we've had accidents like that over the years, one thing I always wanted made was a tougher french press... If jack Daniels bottles were safe with heat or even heavy vodka bottles you could make one from them, I've had one fall down a flight of stairs before... I knew I had forgotten something, though I like cold brewing using a french press for convenience, saves the messy filtering bit... One other I missed was one we did while camping, it's a semi useful way to brew in odd conditions, heat the water from cold to boiling with grounds in over the fire in the most basic way possible, kind of like tea brewing... Then pour it through filter or in our case fine mesh... Shame to hear about the injuries though, I've never been hurt too badly by coffee, partially because the last time I did something like that I made an 8cup one burst by not looking what I was doing and instead of grabbing the handle I slammed my hand through the side, that hurt like hell but it was when I was tyrefitting so my hands were rough enough to survive the boiling water until I got to the tap...

[AnarchistAsian]

caffeine has no effect on me...
since we can't *legaly* drink, me and my friends see who can drink more caffeine before throwing up and whatnot...

[killerjackalope]

That's a weird and sadomasochistic thing to do... Ah well fair enough, did you try having some fun? Maybe doing something other than things that make you vomit...

^{before you reply, drinking doesn't make you vomit, having a pansy liver does...}

[AnarchistAsian]

_{^{i've had alcohol before... 3 shots of liquor has no effect on me... what does that mean?}}
we also have nausiating cookies...
sadomasochistic? maybe... i wouldn't say it was more than doing the same with alcohol though... *like i've ever had alcohol though...*

[killerjackalope]

I was making a joke about the sadomasochism... Oh I thought you might reply something like well booze does the same... Three shots is only three units, thereabouts and wouldn't affect people too badly, unless you are extremely thin or have tiny tolerance to alcohol, one thing that afflicts asians, mainly women is the inability to have more than a drink or two because their liver produces alcohol when it encounters it, granted a six pack will get them trashed for six nights...

[pyro13]

Very nice, gotta love the caffeine.

[killerjackalope]

Oh aye... tis the done thing...

[=SMART=]

haha the last bit was very funny :P Nice ible, ill try it tomorrow morning :D 5*

[killerjackalope]

Cheers smarty, by the way what time did the alert appear in your email/inbox I'm interested in seeing how the system goes and how quickly it does what it does...

[=SMART=]

Nothing yet lol, i don't know how it works :S

[killerjackalope]

Oh maybe it's a daily feed or something, I was just interested in how it worked myself...

[=SMART=]

Yea maybe an email or something :S

[killerjackalope]

Probably... I'll guess we'll find out eventually...

[=SMART=]

Never Fear !! lol i worked it out. Just go to email alerts and its there

[killerjackalope]

Cool, there's so much changes in this new site version...

[=SMART=]

yea i keep finding stuff :P Oh btw i wrote on your orangeboard about the podcast