How to Choose the Right Coffee for Your Brewing Method

The best coffee isn't necessarily the most expensive coffee or the darkest roast on the shelf. It's the coffee that works well with the way you like to brew it.

Your brewing method affects how water moves through the coffee, how long the grounds are in contact with the water, and ultimately what flavors end up in your cup. That's why choosing coffee based on how you brew can make a bigger difference than you might expect.

Start With Your Grind Size

If you're buying whole bean coffee, grind size is one of the first things to consider.

Generally speaking:

• French press: Coarse grind

• Drip coffee maker: Medium grind

• Pour-over: Medium to medium-fine grind

• Espresso: Fine grind

• Cold brew: Coarse grind

  
  

The goal is to match the grind to your brewing method so the water extracts the coffee evenly. Grind too fine for a slow method and you may end up with a bitter, over-extracted cup. Grind too coarse and the coffee can taste thin or under-extracted.

Think About the Flavor You Enjoy

Your brewing method matters, but so does your palate.

If you like a familiar, balanced cup that's easy to enjoy every morning, a traditional blend can be a great starting point. If you're interested in more distinctive flavors, try coffees with tasting notes that lean toward fruit, chocolate, nuts, spices, or caramel.

Don't worry if you can't immediately taste every note listed on a coffee bag. Tasting notes aren't ingredients. They're descriptions of flavors and aromas you may notice as you drink.

There's No Single "Best" Coffee

A coffee that someone loves in a French press may not be their favorite choice for espresso.

Likewise, someone who enjoys a bright, fruit-forward pour-over may prefer something richer and more chocolatey in their morning drip brewer.

That's part of what makes coffee fun.

Try different origins, blends, roasts, and grind sizes. Pay attention to what you like, and you'll gradually learn what works best for your particular routine.

And once you find a coffee you don't want to run out of, there's an easy way to keep it stocked.

Keep Your Favorite Coffee Coming

House of Plenty Coffee's Coffee Club makes it easy to have your favorite coffee delivered regularly, so you don't have to remember to reorder every time the bag gets low.

It's a simple way to make great coffee part of your routine: choose your coffee, choose your preferred format, and let the next bag take care of itself.

Find the coffee that fits your brew method, then make it a regular part of your morning with the House of Plenty Coffee Club.