how to brew coffee – Step 1 – grind your coffee

I am just a guy who love coffee. Few years ago I decided to add a fun element to the idea of “just drinking coffee” and  I decided to try different brewing methods that I perform at home, I also started to try different coffee roasts and different coffee beans from various countries, regions and brands.

Many people just enjoy drinking coffee and others are coffee experts. I am right in the middle.

So if you are like me a guy who enjoys coffee and wants to begin to experiment, learn and have fun with coffee then this blog is for you.

The first step to have fun with your coffee is to grind your own coffee. I started doing that many years ago and that is how I started to have fun with my coffee.

Grinding your own coffee is very simple and it will give you the opportunity to start the process of trying different brewing techniques. Also many people believe that buying the whole coffee bean instead of the ground bean from the store helps to improve the taste of your coffee (I agree with that). – see additional article at the bottom of the post.

The steps on how to grind your own coffee are very simple:

  1. Buy your own coffee grinder. Below I will paste few options, including a very similar model than the one I have at home.
  2. Buy your favorite coffee bean from the store. Make sure that this time you buy whole coffee bean. And begin grinding your coffee before you make it.
  3. Start grinding your coffee before you use your regular coffee maker (if you have a traditional coffee maker medium coarse will be great)

I hope you enjoyed this blog. I will continue to give you tips on how to go from “just a coffee drinker” to have fun with your coffee.

  • This coffee grinder is marked as  “Amazon best choice”.  This is very similar to the one I use at home. The prices is relatively low and it will be perfect to get you started.

KRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder with Stainless Steel Blades, Black

 

  • This is another great option still very affordable and this grinder will give you the ability to control your desired coarse size (depending on the brewing technique you use, you may need different coarse sizes).

Gourmia GCG185 Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, Heavy Duty Steel Grinding Disc 20 Coarse / Fine Settings, 2-18 Cups – 110V

 

  • This is a third option. This option is very convenient specially if you travel or if you like camping. You can use this manual coffee grinder to grind your coffee without the need of any electrical source.

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder, Conical Burr Mill, Brushed Stainless Steel

If you want to learn more about this subject (external source):

Should I Buy Ground Coffee Beans or Whole Coffee Beans?

Top 5 Unique Coffee Gifts

1. Kona Coffee Gift Box

I have been writing a lot about coffee brewing techniques and not so much about what is the biggest differentiation in regards to coffee taste, which is the actual coffee bean. Even thought the way you brew the coffee makes a big difference in terms of flavor, the type of coffee you are using is at the end what matters most. It was not so long ago that I came a across a coffee called Kona.

What is Kona coffee?

Kona coffee is the market name for coffee (Coffea arabica) cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be described as “Kona”. The weather of sunny mornings, cloud or rain in the afternoon, little wind, and mild nights combined with porous, mineral-rich volcanic soil create favorable coffee growing conditions. The loanword for coffee in the Hawaiian language is kope,pronounced [ˈkope].[1]

Kona Coffee Exquisite Black Gift Box, Medium Roast, Whole Bean, 2 oz of 4 Bag, Pure Coffee, No Mixed, Coffee Gifts

2. Picnic Coffee Set

This is a gift that any coffee lover would like to receive. One of the most important characteristics that many coffee lovers are looking for is coffee temperature. So this picnic coffee set includes a easy push button vacuum flash thermos. The size is perfect to make it easy to carry. This is great for traveling, sports events, picnic, etc.

Picnic at Ascot – Deluxe Vienna Travel Coffee Tote for 2 Including Stainless Vacuum Flask, Cups, Creamer and Teaspoons

Product Details:

  • Constructed with rugged 600 denier polyester with an adjustable shoulder strap
  • Includes easy pour push button brushed stainless steel vacuum flask (24-ounce) – two doubled walled cups – creamer – teaspoons – napkin wipe
  • Unique and original design makes a great gift for coffee lovers – measures 13.5″ high x 8″ wide x 3.5″ deep
  • Great when travelling – parks – sporting events – picnics
  • Designed by Picnic at Ascot and assembled in USA – Lifetime Warranty

3. French Press Coffee Maker – Vacuum Insulated

French Press Brewing Technique

This is a unique gift for a coffee lover for two reasons. One it is likely that most coffee lovers have a french press coffee maker at home, but if they do I bet they struggle trying to keep the coffee at the right  temperature. It is hard to keep the right coffee temperature using a traditional french press coffee maker. So this unique french press coffee maker provides the perfect solution since this is a vacuum insulated french press. Now in case the person doesn’t have a french press at home then this is the perfect gift for a coffee lover to begin to experiment other coffee brewing techniques

Large French Press Coffee Maker – Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel With Double Filter, Travel Canister and eBook – By Coffee Gator, 34floz, Gray

4. Traditional Wooden Chorreador Handmade in Costa Rica

I had finished my lunch at a wonderful restaurant in Dominican Republic, and of course I ordered a coffee. The waitress came to my table with a coffee maker made of wood and she prepared a delicious coffee right in front of me. It was one of the most delicious cups of coffee I have ever tried (and I have tried many). This is a replica of the device that I am talking about. This is a very traditional way to make coffee across Centro American countries.

Premium Stand Drip Pour Over Coffee Maker, Traditional Wooden Chorreador Handmade in Costa Rica, 1 Reusable Cloth Filter (Colador,Bolsita) Included

Product Details:

  • BEAUTIFUL AND EASY TO USE: A product so simple, beautiful, and easy to use had to last for generations, just boil water, place ground coffee inside the reusable filter, mount the filter on the wooden stand, place a mug or pitcher under the filter, pour hot water into the reusable filter and voila the dripping coffee will fall into your mug or pitcher.
  • THE PERFECT GIFT: Costa Rica is well known for its coffee but not many people know the traditional way of brewing it, share the great experience of brewing a coffee the Tico way with your family and friends. Surprise them with a unique gift!!

5. Manual Coffee Grinder

Most coffee lovers like to grind their coffee. So this will be a unique gift, specially for those coffee drinkers who like to travel.

One of the most powerful features is the fact that you can adjust the coarseness of the bean to fit the right type of brewing technique.

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder, Conical Burr Mill, Brushed Stainless Steel

Product Details:

  • Built-in adjustable grind selector with over 18 click settings ensures you have 100% precision control over the coarseness of your Pour Over, Drip, Chemex, Cold Brew, French Press, Percolator, AeroPress, Turkish, Espresso, Keurig K Cup, Herb, or Spice grind.
  • No batteries, power, or long plastic cords needed to operate your portable compact coffee grinder, allowing you to travel with and brew freshly roasted ground coffee beans on your next camping, hiking, backpacking, or outdoors trip.
  • Convenient removeable hand crank mechanism consistently eliminates over 90% of the noise that electric grinders produce. Imagine grinding your favorite java roast quietly in an office cubicle or in your kitchen when your loved ones are fast asleep.
  • Crafted with the same essence as traditional Japanese cookware, our ceramic combo burrs are design tested through three professional grade inspections to last 5x’s longer than stainless steel blades.
  • What Our Amazon Customers Say: “Holy cow is this grinder awesome!” “The only slim coffee grinder for my home!” “Just purchased 3 more for family and friends” “Earns its 5 star ratings and reviews with ease!” “One of the best deals for any coffee lover” “Perfect coffee is back in my life!” 100% Money-Back Guarantee. Order today while supplies last.

 

Coffee Lover Gift Ideas

The FOLLOWING ARE TOP 5 AFFORDABLE AND ORIGINAL GIFTS ANY COFFEE LOVER WILL LOVE

 – Gifts I personally love – 

1. Chemex Glass Coffee Maker –  Christmas gift story

Chemex delivers the purest flavor experience:

  • Made of non-porous Borosilicate glass which will not absorb odors or chemical residues.
  • Chemex pour-over allows coffee to be covered and refrigerated for reheating without losing flavor.
  • Simple, easy to use with timeless, elegant design.

Chemex 8-Cup Classic Series Glass Coffeemaker

  • Don’t forget to buy the following accessory

Osaka Stainless Steel Pour Over Coffee Dripper with Double Layered Filter, Paperless and Reusable Cone Shaped Filter for Osaka, Chemex, Hario, Bodum and Other Carafes

2. French Press Coffee & Tea Maker- How I started brewing my own coffee at home

  • Makes the best tasting coffee-brews 1 liter, 34oz. total carafe is made of durable and heat-resistant borosilicate glass
  • Far more superior than other French presses in removing “all” grounds from your coffee giving you an amazingly smooth cup of coffee
  • Perfect gift for all coffee and tea lovers
  • Two extra replacement screens included with this SterlingPro French press

French Press Coffee & Tea Makers 8 Cup (1 liter, 34 oz)–Best Coffee Press Pot with 304 Grade Stainless Steel & Heat-Resistant Borosilicate Glass–2 Free Bonus Stainless Steel Screen in Package

3. Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker-Good airplane coffee story

A Better Coffee Press
  • The AeroPress coffee maker is a new kind of coffee press that brews coffee under ideal conditions: proper temperature, total immersion, and rapid filtering. This results in amazingly delicious coffee with a wide range of beautiful flavors but without bitterness and with very low acidity. Since its introduction the AeroPress has become a much beloved brewer for serious coffee lovers and coffee professionals around the world.

Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker

 

 

4. Vietnamese Coffee Brewer –                        My Vietnamese friend

  • This Vietnamese Coffee Filter is made in Vietnam out of HIGH QUALITY stainless steel
  • The Ca Phe Phin is 8 oz. Enjoy with traditional ground coffee such as by Trung Nguyen
  • The GRAVITY INSERT on this Vietnamese Coffee Filter is easier than the screw down type
  • This Viet filter comes with a LIFETIME WARRANTY and is DISHWASHER SAFE. Satisfaction guaranteed!
  • Slow dripper brews a perfect hot or iced coffee (cafe sua da) with this Vietnamese Coffee Filter

Vietnamese Coffee Filter Set. Also known as a Vietnamese Coffee Maker or Press 8oz

 5. Coffee Mug

  • With the YETI Rambler 20 oz. Tumbler, your beverages will stay ice cold or piping hot longer
  • We over-engineered these double-wall insulated tumblers with an 18/8 stainless steel body, which means your drink still keeps its temperature no matter how much of a beating this cup takes
  • They’re BPA-free (obviously), have a No Sweat Design to make sure your hands stay dry, and are dishwasher-safe
  • Its crystal-clear dishwasher safe shatter resistant lid lets you check your drink status in a flash. Refill, anyone?
  • The YETI 20 oz Rambler Tumbler stands 6 7/8 in high and has a lip diameter of 3 1/2 in. All YETI Tumblers are sized to fit in standard sized cup holders

YETI Rambler 20 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler with Lid (Stainless Steel)

6. Extra Special Gift –  Manual Coffee Grinder

  • Built-in adjustable grind selector with over 18 click settings ensures you have 100% precision control over the coarseness of your Pour Over, Drip, Chemex, Cold Brew, French Press, Percolator, AeroPress, Turkish, Espresso, Keurig K Cup, Herb, or Spice grind.
  • No batteries, power, or long plastic cords needed to operate your portable compact coffee grinder, allowing you to travel with and brew freshly roasted ground coffee beans on your next camping, hiking, backpacking, or outdoors trip.

JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder, Conical Burr Mill, Brushed Stainless Steel

Coffee Maker at Airport – Pour Over Coffee – Ceramic Cup

I was about to take an airplane and I desperately needed a coffee. But sometimes I have questions specially because at the airport coffee could be bad and expensive. So I trusted a little shop that was located at the corner of the gate.

I ordered an americano and to my surprise I saw the barista using a little plastic ceramic cup on top of the mug.  She used a filter to prepare a slow drip drip coffee for me.

I loved the coffee and the product was so practical that I decided to buy it as part of my home brewing coffee collection. I think the concept is very clever and practical. I think it is similar to the Vietnamise Coffee Filter expect for the fact that this product needs some kind of paper filter.

I shared with the barista the story my Vietnamese friend  and how both techniques were very similar.

I am adding the link to the device that I am talking about in case you want to buy it.

Kuissential Ceramic Coffee Dripper, Pour Over Coffee Filter, Size 02 (Includes 40 filters & coffee scoop)