How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee at Home

Tools You Need

• Coffee pot or pour-over coffee maker
• The corresponding coffee filters
• Gooseneck kettle (for pour-over method)
• Kitchen scale
• Coffee grinder

According to Marsh, you don’t necessarily need to run out and purchase new equipment to make great-tasting coffee at home. “Most coffee pots are actually going to do a pretty decent job of making coffee, assuming that you get the dose and the grind setting right,” Marsh says.

While the exact filter you need will vary based on your coffee pot, Marsh recommends getting white filters because they’re less likely to impart a paper-esq flavor into your coffee.

However, a pour-over is a great option if you really want to fine-tune your barista skills and have more control over how much flavor you’re extracting from your beans. Marsh says that the Hario V60 Coffee Dripper is a great pour-over maker at an affordable price point. Just make sure you’re using the matching V60 coffee filters.

The Measurements

For a Coffee Pot
A 1 to 15 ratio of coffee to water. So, about 1 tablespoon per 4-6 ounces of water, depending on your taste preference.

For a Pour-Over
For one 12-ounce cup of coffee, you’ll need 25 grams of coffee and 400 grams of water.

The Grind Setting
The appropriate setting will vary depending on your at-home coffee grinder, but you want a medium to medium-fine grind size.

Pour-Over Instructions

Heat 425 grams of water in a gooseneck kettle. Place your coffee cup on your kitchen scale with the Hario V60 Coffee Dripper and filter on top. Zero your scale. Wet your coffee filter with 25 grams of hot water, and discard the water. Add your coffee grinds. Zero your scale again. Pour 50 grams of water in a clockwise motion and let it drain into the cup for 30 to 45 seconds. Pour 110 more grams of water in a clockwise motion (the scale should read 160 grams). Stir the coffee and water, and let it drain for 30 to 45 seconds. Pour the remaining water until the scale reads 400 grams, and let it drain completely. Remove the coffee dripper, and enjoy your cup of coffee.

Note: The total brew time for a pour-over is about three minutes.