Coffee for the Cafetiere

Bitterness in cafetiere coffee can often be traced back to several common brewing mistakes.

Firstly, letting the coffee brew for too long can extract excessive bitterness from the coffee grounds. Timing is crucial: aim to steep the coffee no longer than necessary. Also, the temperature of the water should not be overlooked. Boiling hot water can scorch the coffee grounds, imparting a burnt taste, so it’s advisable to let the water sit for a minute or two after boiling before pouring it over the grounds. This will help maintain the water temperature around 92°C, which is ideal for extracting the best flavor.

The grind size of coffee beans also plays a critical role. A grind that is too fine will over-extract during the brewing process, leading to bitterness. For cafetiere coffee, a coarser grind is typically recommended. Additionally, cleanliness of the brewing equipment is key. Any residual grounds left in the cafetiere from previous brews can spoil the taste of freshly brewed coffee, contributing to a bitter flavor.

Finally, the quality of the coffee beans themselves is fundamental. Inferior quality beans or those that are stale can be inherently bitter. To ensure the best taste, choose fresh, high-quality coffee beans suitable for a cafetiere. By addressing these elements, you can significantly improve the taste of your coffee, eliminating undue bitterness.

To prepare iced coffee using a cafetiere, start by grinding fresh coffee beans. Use the amount required for the coffee servings you wish to make. Transfer the freshly ground coffee into your cafetiere. Fill it with cold water, ensuring all the coffee grounds are submerged. Stir briefly to mix the grounds with the water evenly.

Next, cover the cafetiere with its lid but leave the plunger up. Refrigerate this setup overnight, allowing the coffee to steep slowly in the cold environment.

The following morning, simply press down the plunger of your cafetiere to separate the brewed coffee from the grounds. Serve the coffee over ice in a glass. Enhance your iced coffee by adding your preferred syrups, a splash of milk, or for an indulgent twist, add a scoop of ice cream or some chocolate shavings.

When preparing coffee in a cafetiere, the strength of your brew can be important, and it's always easier to weaken a strong coffee than it is to strengthen a weak one. For optimal results, the recommended amount is to use about one tablespoon of coffee grounds for each mug of water, which translates roughly to using 15 grams of coffee per 250 milliliters of water. This ratio ensures a robust flavor that can be adjusted slightly by adding more water if needed.

Certainly! Using Pebble and Pine's ground coffee in your cafetiere is indeed possible as it comes in a medium coarse grind which suits this brewing method well. To achieve the best tasting coffee, it might be more effective to purchase whole beans and grind them just before brewing. If you have any queries about choosing the right grinder, adjusting grind size, or tips on brewing with a cafetiere, feel free to reach out to us for detailed guidance.