If we lived in a perfect world we would have the time to start our day by spending a few hours at our favorite coffee shop, taking in the ambiance, reading a great book, and of course, sipping on a perfectly curated cup of joe. Unfortunately, we often find ourselves needing to be here, there, and everywhere, causing us to not have enough time to make this a reality. But did you know that it just takes a little know-how to curate the perfect, coffee shop inspired erm, coffee at home? Keep reading to learn how you can be your own barista.
First things first, know your beans.
Where your coffee beans are from determines their all-around flavor. If you’re heading to a local roaster to get your beans, someone there will be a great resource as to flavors and location, but knowing that’s not an option for everybody, here is a little list of what you can expect from five different countries and their coffee beans:
- Colombia: Colombia roasts are a great starting point because they’re medium-bodied, the acidity is mellow, and you get a strong caramel sweetness, as well as nutty undertones. In fact, Colombia beans are among the most recognized in the U.S.
- Guatemala: If you prefer your coffee on the stronger side, Guatemalan coffee roasts may be more your thing. These beans are going to be more full-bodied, and you’ll pick up on chocolatey flavor and toffee sweetness.
- Costa Rica: Costa Rican coffee is often said to be the best coffee there is; this is a medium-bodied coffee with notes of brown sugar, citrus, and apricot.
- Ethiopia: If you’re looking for more of a lighter to medium-bodied roast with hints of florals and fruits, then Ethiopian beans are just your thing.
Now that you’ve got a handle on what kind of beans you’re looking for, let’s talk gear. If you’re like most people and use a spoon to measure out your coffee, you’ll want to switch to a scale. A scale is a more accurate way to measure the amount of coffee you’re using, and with a scale, you’ll always know exactly how much coffee it takes to make your perfect cup.
Another piece of equipment you’ll want to invest in? A coffee grinder. When you go to grind your coffee beans, make sure to only grind what you need, and store the rest until your next cup.
And of course, a coffee maker. How you make your coffee is entirely up to you. If you’re looking to make a strong cup of joe, we recommend an espresso maker or french press; the pour-over is always a great option, especially if you’re making more than one cup at a time, and we’re sure you’ve heard at least one person tell you that coffee tastes it’s absolute best from a percolator.
Steaming your milk. If you’re a fan of lattes or cappuccinos and you’re holding yourself up to coffee shop standards, you’ll want to snag yourself an electric milk frother.
For those of you that prefer blended coffee drinks or coveted iced coffees, whip up some coffee ice cubes (literally make them just like you would regular ice cubes, only you’re going to want to use coffee instead!) this way your drinks will keep that flavor and won’t water down as you blend.